The Tampa Bay Lightning have agreed to a three-year entry-level contract with Milo Roelens, a center who previously went undrafted.
His contract will come into effect starting from the 2024-25 season. Roelens, a fifth-year major junior forward, has had his best season yet with 25 goals and 62 points in 56 games playing for the QMJHL’s Acadie-Bathurst Titan.
Throughout his career, Roelens has accumulated 59 goals and 153 points in 229 regular season games with Gatineau, Sherbrooke, and Acadie-Bathurst. In addition, he has recorded three goals and eight points in 22 playoff games.
Roelens, a 6-foot-6 power forward, has honed his skills in using his size to his advantage. He excels near the goal, displaying a knack for seizing loose pucks and swiftly converting them with a quick close-range shot. Notably, he is on track to surpass 100 penalty minutes this season, showcasing a more aggressive aspect of his playing style that was not as evident in the past.
In the past, Roelens garnered attention from NHL draft scouts due to his physical presence and ability to set up plays. However, his skating ability requires improvement, and his hockey instincts are considered below par. Nonetheless, he shines on defense, particularly when it comes to penalty killing.
Next season, Roelens is anticipated to join Tampa Bay’s developmental league, whether it be with the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch or the ECHL’s Orlando Solar Bears
The Tampa Bay Lightning are currently holding the top wild-card position with 65 points, edging out the Detroit Red Wings by one point.
They have a five-point lead over the New Jersey Devils, who are the closest team outside of playoff contention, and are trailing the Toronto Maple Leafs by three points for the third spot in the Atlantic division.
Next, the Lightning will face the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday before enjoying a short break ahead of their matchup with the Calgary Flames on March 7.
In the QMJHL’s Eastern Conference, the Acadie-Bathurst team is currently in seventh place with 58 points. While they have not secured a playoff berth yet, the Saint John Sea Dogs in ninth place with 42 points make their chances promising at the moment
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