Post by boltsgm on Feb 11, 2007 22:05:24 GMT -5
Mark Hartigan Joined the Lighting going straight to Springfield. The 29 year old has been jumping from AHL to NHL plenty of times in his career.
The British Columbian native gets another opportunity this season to help the struggling pro Tampa Bay team.
Mark Hartigan: I didn't expect to be called back up. With myself growing older I thought I would fizzle out. The Lighting coaching staff and managerial staff gave me a chance when I met with them during a 1 hour conference.
Alex McNeil: We decided that we couldn't contend with Afanasenkov and Tarnasky. Mark Hartigan brings some better game, and some good leadership. When you are brought back and forth from the minors, you gain respect. You also gain a love for the game, a new perspective, I also think that when you are in the minors, you have a work ethic to make it to the pros.
Brian Rolston: It seems to be that the older guys who work in minors and pros seem to be the smarter guys. If that can be the case here, then you might even see him on a line with me *laughs*
Bates Battaglia: I have had my experience in the minors, I think it's a teaching and conditioning league. When a player around 30 is in the minors, you rarely see a comeback. The youngsters learn from the vets, Hartigan was a teacher.
Bringing up a veteran will furthermore help the journey to crack the playoff barrier. With a few positive streaks, the Lightning have the chance to be the Cinderalla Story. Let's just see if the Glass Skate, fits Hartigans foot.
