Vinny will be the new captain (and other Lightning tidbits)

Posted Aug 25, 2008 by Erik Erlendsson

Updated Aug 25, 2008 at 04:23 PM

This won’t come as much of a surprise, seeing as he signed what amounts to a life-time contract with the team, but Vinny Lecavalier will be wearing the captain’s “C’’ when he suits up in a Lightning uniform this season. It will be Lecavalier’s second-go-round wearing the C on his jersey after he was captain on March 11, 2000, following the trade of Chris Gratton to Buffalo. Lecavalier was captain for one season before it was taken away following his contract holdout prior to the 2001-02 campaign. But that Lecavalier is not today’s Lecavalier. He is much more mature, understands what he needs to do to be a leader, how to take his game to that level. He’s ready to take on this role, and, quite frankly he’s earned it.

* Saw this note over the weekend, as well from the Arizona Republic that Tyson Nash is getting a tryout with the Lightning. Don’t really understand the tryout agreement here as the Lightning are overstocked with forwards heading into camp, but there’s no harm in bringing him in and it doesn’t cost the team much. Can’t see Nash, who is a pest in the Sean Avery mold without the skill level, making the team after spending the past couple of years playing in Japan.

* Had a question about posting the training camp roster, which I certainly will do once I get my hands on it, but as of now I don’t have the roster of the 43 players who will be coming to Camp Melrose Place.

* There are a few more additions to the Vinny Lecavalier celebrity poker tournament, set for Sept. 11. Among the celebrities who have committed to the charity event are: Marty St. Louis, Vinny Prospal, Ryan Malone, Mark Recchi, Jeff Halpern, Nick Tarnasky, Shane O’Brien, Michel Ouellet, Ryan Craig and Jason Ward. New Lightning head coach Barry Melrose will serve as one of the evening’s hosts. Also on the list include former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Mike Alstott, tennis pro Mardy Fish, Deal or No Deal’s Stacey Gardner, Jared Jeffries of the New York Knicks, and actress/model/poker pro Christina Lindley. Other poker, sports and entertainment celebrities are also expected to be announced.

* Before anybody asks, yes, I plan on doing another Top 10 list soon, with the next topic to be the Top 10 newest additions to the team. But first I plan on doing a Top 10 Olympic moments from my perspective, which I hope to get out before my 11 a.m. meeting on Tuesday.

* Finally, here is some information about a new in-house entertainment plan for a pep band they plan to call the Frozen Funk:

The Frozen Funk, the Tampa Bay Lightning’s in-arena band, will hold auditions for the 2008-09 season Saturday, Sept. 13 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Music Showcase in Brandon. The band is looking for individuals with unique personalities who are exciting, outgoing and capable of providing plenty of energy at Lightning home games.

The Frozen Funk, arranged much like a collegiate athletic band, will perform high-energy music at all Tampa Bay Lightning home games. The instrumentation of the band consists of saxophones, sousaphones, trombones, trumpets and a drum set. The band will be directed by John Schnettler, director of the USF “Herd of Thunder” Marching and Pep Bands.

Those interested in auditioning will be asked to perform a high-energy marching, pep, rock, jazz or blues piece of their choice, along with a mandatory piece, “Shake a Tail Feather,” which is available for download on the Music Showcase Web site . Applicants will be asked to sight read a pep band song provided at the audition. They will also have the option to perform an improv piece, in B-flat blues, in the same tempo and style as “Shake a Tail Feather.”

Interested applicants must be at least 18 years old and own their own instrument (Sousaphones excluded). Applicants must also be able to sight read music and good improvisational skills are encouraged. Candidates should be able to work as many as 20 Lightning home games throughout the season and be willing to stay as late as 11 p.m. Marching or pep band experience is a plus.

The Lightning will provide the band with uniforms and members will be compensated $50 and given a meal voucher and a parking pass for every game they work. Bonus pay is available for those interested in being The Frozen Funk’s music arranger. Those with previous experience in this area are asked to bring a sample of their work.

For more information, please contact John Schnettler at 813.974.0845 or at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).