With an emphasis on drafting and developing, the Tampa Bay Lightning have created one of the strongest pipelines in the National Hockey League over the last few years. Each week, TampaBayLightning.com will provide statistical updates on key prospects throughout the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), the United States Hockey League (USHL), and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and will highlight select players from the club's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch.
Lightning prospect roundup: Five players selected for international duty
Katchouk, Raddysh, Foote, Hajek and Howden chosen to international team rosters
© Claus Andersen
By
Kinsey Janke / <b>TampaBayLightning.com</b>
CANADIAN HOCKEY LEAGUE (CHL)
Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
LW Boris Katchouk, Sault Ste. Marie GreyhoundsDrafted 44th overall (2nd Round) in 2016
Fifth overall in OHL scoring with 45 points and currently on an eight-game point streak, Katchouk was one of four Bolts prospects named to Team Canada for the upcoming 2018 World Junior Championship in Buffalo, N.Y. This is Katchouk's second time representing Canada in World Junior play, having played in five games for them at the 2016 U-18 tournament.
C Alexey Lipanov, Barrie ColtsDrafted 76th overall (3rd Round) in 2017
Lipanov added three assists and was named Third Star in Barrie's 6-4 win over Owen Sound on Thursday. His third assist was the primary on the Colts' game-winning goal and puts him fourth in overall club scoring with 28 points.
C Christopher Paquette, Peterborough PetesDrafted 148th overall (5th Round) in 2016
Paquette added an assist in Peterborough's 6-3 loss to Oshawa on Friday, and has 14 points in 29 games this season.
RW Taylor Raddysh, Erie OttersDrafted 58th overall (2nd Round) in 2016
Raddysh will represent Canada at the U-20 tournament for the second straight year after recording six points in seven games at last year's tournament to lead Canada to silver. He leaves Erie on an eight-game point streak.
Western Hockey League (WHL)
D Cal Foote, Kelowna RocketsDrafted 14th overall (1st Round) in 2017
Named to Team Canada for the first time, Foote joins his fellow prospects at this year's WJC. He will return to Kelowna with assists in three-straight and leading all Rockets defensemen in scoring with 30 points from the blueline.
D Libor Hajek, Saskatoon BladesDrafted 37th overall (2nd Round) in 2016
After playing for the Czech Republic in back-to-back Ivan Hlinka tournaments, Hajek was named to their roster for this year's tournament to mark his first time playing for the U-20 squad. He has an assist in three straight games and is third in overall Saskatoon scoring as well as leads all their defensemen in points.
C Brett Howden, Moose Jaw WarriorsDrafted 27th overall (1st Round) in 2016
Howden is the fourth prospect to round out the WJC group this year, having represented Canada twice at the U-18 tournament and once at the Ivan Hlinka. He leaves Moose Jaw on a three-game point streak, sitting sixth in team scoring.
D Oleg Sosunov, Moose Jaw WarriorsDrafted 178th overall (6th Round) in 2016
Sosunov added an assist in Moose Jaw's 5-2 loss to Kamloops on Friday, and is one off the team lead in scoring for defensemen.
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
C Otto Somppi, Halifax MooseheadsDrafted 206th overall (7th Round) in 2016
With 10 points in eight games so far in December, Somppi has stayed hot. He has points in four-straight games and is third in Halifax scoring.
UNITED STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE (USHL)
C Cole Guttman, Dubuque Fighting SaintsDrafted 180th overall (6th Round) in 2017
Guttman added a goal in five games with Team USA at the 2017 World Jr. A Challenge, helping his team to a silver medal finish.
D Nick Perbix, Omaha LancersDrafted 169th overall (6th Round) in 2017
Winning silver with Team USA as well, Perbix did not register a point in five games at the WJAC.
NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (NCAA)
F Ross Colton, U. of Vermont (Hockey East)Drafted 118th overall (4th Round) in 2016
Colton leads his team in both goals (10) and points (12) through 16 games in his sophomore season.
F Ryan Lohin, UMass Lowell (Hockey East)Drafted 208th overall (7th Round) in 2016
Lohin is tied for the team lead in points (14) and leads with nine assists through 17 games.
D John MacLeod, Boston University (Hockey East)Drafted 57th overall (2nd Round) in 2014
In his senior season on the Terriers' blueline, MacLeod has recorded one assist in seven games.
G Kris Oldham, U. of Nebraska-Omaha (NCHC)Drafted 153rd overall (6th Round) in 2015
Oldham is 0-1-1 with a 3.44 goals-against and a .882 save percentage.
D Ryan Zuhlsdorf, U. of Minnesota (Big Ten)Drafted 150th overall (5th Round) in 2015
Zuhlsdorf has eight assists through 20 games so far this season for his Gophers.
AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE - SYRACUSE CRUNCH
The Crunch's streak ended at 10 with a loss to Lehigh Valley on Saturday … Anthony Cirelli was named player of the week with seven points in three games during the streak … Cirelli leads the team in assists (14) and points (20) … The Crunch play in Laval on Wednesday, travel to Belleville Friday, and then return home to face Utica on Saturday.