When it all began for us hereabouts with the arrival of the Tampa Bay Lightning in 1992 to take a place in the National Hockey League, pitchman Phil Esposito riled up a field house full of patrons in the dolled up Florida Fairgrounds arena to watch our ice hockey team play Chicago.

It was dressy for a barnish atmosphere. Esposito (above) had on a tuxedo and made most of us think we knew what we were watching. The whole idea made those around here think once more they/we were doing big deal things in sports.

Well, we were. Tampa won that night, and the Lightning and NHL among us were real. It was Espo’s finest in so many fine sports ventures in Tampa. Espo had done what he had done, in Tampa and would also do in South Florida in hockey with little money, friends, contacts, no-quit, and the support of the needed Tampa Bay area leaders in sports.

He won them to his side. They never abandoned him. Now still with the team in broadcasting, he still is the foremost Lightning Tampa-area booster. The arena here would not have been built without Phil.

Now, just as Phil Esposito was a pioneer of those hockey settlers, the newest Lightning big dog on the block is Barry Melrose, now assigned that role. Melrose was named by the two new in-chargers, Oren Koules and Len Barrie, to boss the Lightning, as head coach and whatever else it may take. Barry Melrose, who we have all come to know through ESPN, has been chosen to be the Phil Esposito of these times.

Melrose has been charged with coaching, finding players for the owners, like all-world Vinny Levavalier and field coach Vinny Prospal, winning, filling the arena as the showman ESPN made him… again, like Phil in his make or break years. Now, remember, Phil made it. He’s a Lightning hero which cannot be besmirched in his role as broadcaster.

But now, these owners, unlike so many others of the past, have turned so much over to Melrose and Co., and seem so genuinely supportive, they may have blame to spare. I mean, Vinny forever? And there are still promises to keep, in money, in players, in promotions, in bargains for tickets. Any organization that has two of its owners in the business of the movies and promotions surely will favor glitz.

Ah, hah. Now, these new Lightning guys who seem sent from heaven, have already said they’ll sign their number one overall draft pick, Steven Stamkos, who is getting raves already. 

The addition of Melrose (above) should be a hoot. He has a strong hockey and television background and one of promotions. And, of course, the same goes for the Koules and Barrie inclusion in the administrative lineup.  But, for you and I and the rest of us, to whom Phil Esposito sold a hockey lineup of used pucks, well, they haven’t hurt us yet. And by now, as some of us know the difference offsides on the ice and on the football field. I think.

Frankly, I think we are lucky as heck to have these two of such vision and grit as Esposito and Melrose find their way out of the neck-deep snow of Canada to our sunny place with the enclosed arena we have and Phil helped us get. Need a better one? Ask Barry.