Despite so few selections in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, the Lightning were able to find their footing and draft individuals that they hope can become impact players In the near future. Here's how the draft went down.
Round 2, Pick 37: F Ethan Gauthier (QMJHL)
With the pick that they acquired the day prior in the Ross Colton deal, the Lightning took a big swing with their first selection of the draft, selecting forward Ethan Gauthier from the Sherbrooke Phoenix of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. This past season, Gauthier put up 30 goals and 39 assists for 69 points in 66 games with the Phoenix, his 30 goals ranking third for Sherbrooke. Gauthier also scored a point per game in the playoffs, ranking fourth on the Phoenix. Midway through last season, he joined the Canada U18 team in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, and put up six goals in his five games played as Canada won gold. Part of his six goals included a hat trick against Switzerland, and the gold medal-winning goal in the second period of the final.
Gauthier was named the 2022 23 QMJHL’s Mike Bossy Trophy winner, given to the best professional prospect in the QMJHL. Gauthier Was the first player from the Phoenix to win the award, and joins names like Timo Meier, Nico Hischier, Sidney Crosby, and Tampa Bay Lightning legend Vincent Lecavalier as winners of this award.
After being traded earlier this summer for a package of draft picks that includes three first rounders in the QMJHL, Gauthier will play with the Drummondville Votigeurs in 2023-24.
Round 4, Pick 115: F Jayson Shaugabay (USHL)
The Lightning traded a 2024 4th round pick in order to obtain the selection, and went with one of the highest upside players left available in the draft. Shaugabay dominated high school hockey in Minnesota, registering 304 points over 110 games across four seasons for Warroad High School, and breaking the school record for career points sent by his cousin TJ Oshie. He was named Mr. Hockey in Minnesota for 2022-23 after putting up 96 points in 31 games, and also put up 16 points across 27 games with the Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League this past year.
Shaugabay has committed to playing college hockey at the University of Minnestoa-Duluth.
Round 6, Pick 179: F D Warren Clark (MJHL)
In their only pick that wasn't a forward, the Lightning grabbed defenseman Warren Clark out of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. In 55 games last year with the Steinbach Pistons, Clark put up six goals and 32 assists for 38 points, and had another eight points in 18 playoff games. Listed at 6’3”, 194 lbs, Clark was ranked in the 160s among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting. Clark has committed to playing his college hockey at St. Cloud State University in 2023-24, the same college that Nick Perbix honed his skills at before eventually making his way to the Lightning as a sixth round pick.
With a defensive core that is lacking from the right side in the prospect pool, Clark will have an opportunity to quickly rise through the ranks.
Round 7, Pick 193: F Jack Harvey (USHL)
Tampa acquired this selection during a March 2021 trade that saw Alexander Volkov head to the Ducks in exchange for this pick and minor leaguer Antoine Morand. With the selection, the Lightning picked center Jack Harvey out of the USHL. This past season, Harvey put up 40 goals and added 34 assists for 74 points in just 62 games with the Chicago Steel. Harvey was one of the older players in the United States Hockey League, with this season being his fourth as a member of the Steel.
Harvey is committed to playing his 2023-24 season at Boston University, joining a Terriers team that made the Frozen Four last year, and he will be tasked with obtaining one of the eight open roster spots left by departing seniors.
Round 7, Pick 211: F Ethan Hay (OHL)
With their final pick of the draft, the Lightning once again bolstered their forward prospect group by grabbing Ethan Hay out of the Ontario Hockey League. Hay has spent two seasons in the OHL with the Flint Firebirds, putting up 17 goals and 11 assist for 28 points in 64 games this past season. He was fourth on the team in penalty minutes with 61, and finished third on the team in playoff scoring with six points in seven games. Hay will continue his development in the OHL next season, and was compared to Anthony Cirelli in the NHL Networks draft coverage.
Final Thoughts
All in all, this draft probably went as well as it could have for the Lightning. They started their draft with three selections, all of which would’ve taken place in the sixth or seventh rounds. Thanks to some trades, they were able to obtain a second and a fourth round pick in this draft, and acquire a seventh round pick for next year in exchange for Corey Perry. The players they selected all have very high potential, but also have a very high chance of not making an impact. Lightning fans have seen head scout Al Murray and his crew do an incredible job over the past decade plus with their late round selections, and hopefully this draft can provide one or two gems that the fan base will be talking about as contributors in the next half decade.
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