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Bolts host 3 top draft prospects

Tribune photo by SCOTT ISKOWITZ

Draft prospects Victor Hedman, left, and Matt Duchene put in some bike work for the Lightning.

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON

eerlendsson@tampatrib.com

Published: June 4, 2009

TAMPA - With the Stanley Cup finals winding down, the offseason will soon begin to heat up.

Wednesday, the Lightning showed off one of their biggest offseason acquisitions to be, although it's unclear whether it will be John Tavares, Matt Duchene or Victor Hedman to don a Lightning jersey come September.

Tampa Bay hosted the top three rated prospects for the NHL entry draft for private workouts and introductions to the organization as the Lightning attempt to finalize their draft rankings and zero in on whom they will select with the second overall pick June 26 in Montreal.

"Having them down here gives us the chance to know them better as people, which ultimately is critical for this organization because all these kids have what it takes to play in the National Hockey League skill-wise," Lightning general manager Brian Lawton said. "We're looking for those character issues, those intangible traits that separate young men as they go on and develop into All-Star players, so we are looking for those little things."

A quick look at each of the three prospects:

John Tavares

Pos.: C. Vitals: 6-foot, 195 pounds

Claim to fame: Gained "exceptional player" status to join the OHL as a 15-year-old and went on to break 33-year-old record with 215 career goals.

Favorite NHL players: Sidney Crosby, Mike Modano, Patrick O'Sullivan

Favorite books: "The Outsiders" and "Thunder and Lightning" (Phil Esposito memoir)

Favorite snack: Grilled cheese

Victor Hedman

Pos.: D. Vitals: 6-foot-6, 220 pounds

Claim to fame: Has played in Swedish Elite League against grown men and former NHL players since he was 16 years old.

Favorite NHL player: Nicklas Lidstrom

Favorite artist: Johnny Cash

Pregame meal: Pasta and chicken

Matt Duchene

Pos.: C. Vitals: 5-foot-11, 200 pounds

Claim to fame: Won three international gold medals with Canada in eight-month span - 2008 World Under-18 and World Under-17, and 2009 World Under-18

Favorite NHL player: Sidney Crosby

Favorite book: "The Rookie: Sidney Crosby"

Favorite movie: "Anchorman"

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