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Tyrell Gets Upgrade In Linemates

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON The Tampa Tribune

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 20, 2008

TAMPA - Three days ago, Dana Tyrell was wrapping up a rookie tournament in Traverse City, Mich., with some of Tampa Bay's top prospects.

On Friday, the 19-year-old from Alberta suited up at Lightning training camp and scrimmaged on a line with 2004 league MVP Marty St. Louis and Vinny Prospal.

"I didn't even know that until I stepped out on the ice, but that was definitely exciting and a thrill," said Tyrell, who had 25 goals and 65 points with Prince George of the Western Hockey League last season. "They just put me with those guys, and that was awesome. It was a lot of fun. I just worked hard, and all I had to do was keep my stick on the ice."

A second-round pick in 2007, Tyrell wasn't sure if he was going to be attending his first NHL camp. But after a strong showing in Traverse City, the 5-foot-10, 185-pound winger earned the invitation.

"I was told before Traverse City that if I had a good camp, they would bring me here," said Tyrell, who had a goal and six points in 11 games on an amateur tryout with Norfolk at the end of last season. "And I felt that I had a good camp and I worked hard, so I guess I earned it."

Where he goes from here is largely up to Tyrell. While it's not out of the question he could earn his first professional contract with a strong showing in the final few days of camp while the team is still on North American soil, it's likely he will return to Prince George, where he is expected to serve as team captain this season.

But it doesn't mean he didn't leave an impression with his first showing on Friday.

"I thought the Tyrell kid was great," Lightning coach Barry Melrose said. "He's a kid we have to make some decisions on, and I thought he looked really good with Marty and Prospal."

TRAVEL PARTY: The lineup for tonight's preseason opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins features plenty of young faces the team wants to get a good look at before the team departs for Europe on Thursday:

CENTERS - Steven Stamkos, Zenon Konopka, Wyatt Smith, Ryan Craig.

WINGS - Jussi Jokinen, Radek Smolenak, Evgeny Artyukhin, David Koci, Brandon Bochenski, Jason Ward, Chris Lawrence, Michel Ouellet.

DEFENSE - Andy Rogers, Janne Niskala, Matt Smaby, Jamie Heward, Vladimir Mihalik, Andrew Hutchinson.

GOALTENDERS - Mike Smith, Karri Ramo.

The Penguins are expected to field a lineup that includes regulars Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Jordan Staal and goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury.

ALL TIED UP: Friday's final scrimmage ended in a 2-2 tie after Team Black rallied for a pair of goals, including a rebound shot by Artyukhin with 2:11 left in the game. Jokinen and Brandon Segal scored for Team White, while Bochenski scored for Team White. Gary Roberts and St. Louis were each stopped on penalty shot attempts.

After three fights broke out in Thursday's scrimmage, four more battles ensued on Friday, including Konopka, who made an impression with a pair of fights the day before. Konopka didn't back down to Smolenak during a dust-up in front of the net.

D Shane O'Brien, who played with Konopka when the two were in the Anaheim system, said he understands what Konopka is doing, trying to play his game, but he'd had enough at one point late in the game.

"He's by far one of the best team guys I've ever played with. Obviously he's a pest, and that's what he does," O'Brien said. "But I love that guy, I love the way he plays. You love to have him on your team, but man do you hate him when he's on the other team, even in a scrimmage."

NUTS AND BOLTS: This morning's workout at the St. Pete Times Forum for non-traveling players is open to the public. The players are expected to be on the ice from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Erik Erlendsson

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