TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Lightning hosted a youth goalie camp on Wednesday afternoon in Tampa, and a special guest arrived at the ice rink.<\/p>\n
Andrei Vasilevskiy, nicknamed the Big Cat, was the big star for the campers who got the chance to take a picture and get an autograph from the Bolts star. The kids tapped their sticks on the ice as the goalie they idolized had entered the building.<\/p>\n
The Vezina Trophy winner has played 12 seasons in the NHL, all of them with the Lightning. He was in goal for Tampa Bay\u2019s two Stanley Cup titles.<\/p>\n
Vasilevskiy talked to the media at the camp and said he loves opportunities like this to connect with kids and watch how youth hockey is growing in this community.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor sure, especially here in Florida where obviously we\u2019re not like a huge hockey state, you know what I mean, like kids-wise. So it\u2019s really nice to see that development program is really like taking like a huge step forward,\u201d Vasilevskiy said.<\/p>\n
The Lightning return to the ice on September 20th for their first preseason game against the Buffalo Sabres.<\/p>\n
Big Cat is in the building!!<\/p>\n
Andrei Vasilevskiy is making a guest appearance at the Tampa Bay Lightning Youth Goalie Camp! #GoBolts<\/a><\/p>\n This year\u2019s Vezina Trophy winner taking pictures and signing autographs before the camp ramps up. @BN9<\/a> @SpecSports360<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Ykz4xDxOqJ<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Michael Epps (@MichaelEppsTV) August 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n