The Lightning's captain says he's having too much fun to retire.
By TOM JONES
Published September 15, 2004
TAMPA - When we last saw Lightning captain Dave Andreychuk on the ice, he was lifting the Stanley Cup over his head for the first time, the crowning achievement of his 22-year NHL career. That could have been it. He could have skated his lap, waved goodbye and retired while on top of the hockey world after such a long journey.
Instead, he is coming back for more. Andreychuk made his intentions known over the summer that he wanted to return for another season. Now it's official. He signed a one-year deal Tuesday to return to the Lightning for his 23rd NHL season.
The question is "why?" Why play another season?
"Obviously I won my Cup and I could have ridden right off into the sunset and retired," Andreychuk said. "It would have been easy, but I just want to be part of this. It has such momentum now. It's fun to be around."
Andreychuk will try to improve on numbers that already are staggering and will almost assuredly land him in the Hall of Fame. After 1,597 games, Andreychuk's 634 career goals are 11th all-time and the second most by a left wing, trailing Luc Robitaille (653). His 1,320 points are 25th all-time and the third highest total by a left wing. His 218 power-play goals are an NHL record.
Last season, Andreychuk scored 21 goals, the 19th time he had a 20-goal season, along with 18 assists while playing all 82 Lightning regular-season games. In the postseason, Andreychuk had a goal and 13 assists in 23 games while provided immeasurable leadership.
"I'm still able to contribute and that's important," Andreychuk said. "My first question after the season was, "Do you want me back?' When they said yes, then that's when I wanted to come back. If I couldn't still play, I would retire."
The Lightning never had a doubt.
"He's obviously the leader on this team and he galvanized the players to work and get Andy his first Cup," general manager Jay Feaster said.
With his 41st birthday coming up Sept. 29, Andreychuk doesn't know how much longer he might play, but it could be several more seasons.
"It would have been easy for him to go out on top," Feaster said. "But I know him and I think if he has the opportunity, he might play until he is 60 years old."
LIGHTNING PROSPECTS LOSE: The Lightning prospects lost 4-3 to St. Louis in the championship game of a three-team tournament in Traverse City, Mich. The Lightning blew a 3-1 third-period lead to wrap up a five-day camp with a 2-1 record.
After the game, the Lightning assigned 13 players to its American Hockey League affiliate in Springfield: goalie Brian Eklund, defensemen Gerard Dicaire, Mike Egener, Andreas Holmqvist, Doug O'Brien, Paul Ranger and forwards Evgeny Artyukhin, Ryan Craig, Adam Henrich, Dennis Packard, Darren Reid, Jean-Francois Soucy and Nick Tarnasky.
The Falcons open camp Sept. 29 in West Springfield, Mass.
