Spokane Chiefs forward
Jack Finley, the first selection by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2020 National Hockey League draft, has signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Stanley Cup champions.
Tampa Bay, which did not have a first-round selection, announced Saturday it came to an agreement with the 6-foot-5, 205-pound center it picked in the second round, 57th overall. Finley is the 75th Chief drafted by an NHL team.
The 18-year-old will return to Spokane for the 2020-21 season if he does not make Tampa Bay’s opening-day roster.
The Kelowna, British Columbia, native had a breakout 2019-20 season with career highs in goals (19), assists (38) and points (57) with a plus-32 rating in 61 games, centering a line with WHL Player of the Year Adam Beckman.