TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Lightning announced Friday its 2024 Hall of Fame Class with two more people joining the inaugural three members.
Dave Andreychuk and Brad Richards, both being pivotal pieces in bringing Tampa its first Stanley Cup Championship back in 2004, will be inducted as part of Lightning Alumni Weekend. It will be held on March 8-9.
Sixty-year-old Andreychuk is a Hockey Hall of Famer who practically thought his career was over, Sports Director Evan Closkey explains. This was until he got a call in 2001 to join the Bolts.
He became the seventh Lightning captain and helped the team grow into champions.
"I was only here four and a half years, I was not here a long time," Andreychuk said. "To be recognized by the Lightning and be put into their Hall of Fame, it's quite an honor."
Forty-three-year-old Richards is a former third-round pick who was one of Tampa Bay's first homegrown superstars.
He ranks in the Top 10 of most statistical categories for the Lightning, but he'll forever be remembered in 2004 for logging seven game-winning goals – which is still a franchise record. He won a Conn Smythe Trophy for his efforts.