According to a team release, the Tampa Bay Lightning have signed defenseman Max Crozier to a 2-year entry-level contract. Crozier will make a salary of $925K in the NHL, and a salary of $70K in the AHL. The contract will begin next season, as Crozier will play the rest of the year for the team’s AHL affiliate Syracuse Crunch on an amateur tryout.
Drafted 120th overall in the 2019 NHL Draft, Crozier mounted a strong collegiate career for Providence College. He led all Providence defensemen last season in points, scoring three goals and 21 assists throughout the year. In the entirety of his career, playing in a total of 120 games, Crozier amassed 71 total points. Although he was unable to lead Providence into the Frozen Four tournament, the now-former captain of the team becomes a valuable prospect in Tampa Bay’s pipeline.
Joining one of the more successful AHL franchises, the Syracuse Crunch looks poised to return to the Calder Cup Playoffs. Currently sitting at 29-22-5, they find themselves in third place in the North division. As they drive to make the playoffs, Crozier will be able to accrue valuable experience being injected into a playoff hunt.