Geekie Eyes NHL Breakthrough: Determined to Earn Spot with Tampa Bay Lightning
A year ago, Conor Geekie kicked off his rookie season with the Tampa Bay Lightning, playing in 49 games, and tallying six goals for 12 points. On Feb. 4, he was sent to the Lightning’s AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch, where he spent the next few months working on his development.
Getting the news of an AHL assignment wasn’t initially easy for Geekie, but with time he realized how valuable the experience would be. His older brother, Morgan, a forward for the Boston Bruins, spent two seasons in the AHL and offered him advice.
“He told me, ‘What you did from the start is incredible enough. You played almost 50 games, you did what you wanted to do during the summer, and you started there. Now you just have to keep going. Be ready when the time comes.’”
“I was in a headspace where if I got called up, I got called up,” said Geekie. “I had a standard, obviously, but it wasn’t like, ‘If I score five goals, I’ll get called up.’ I was just playing hockey. It made it so much easier instead of being so hard on myself.”
Geekie joked that his family doesn’t go easy on him, but said it helps keep him humble—a trait evident throughout the Lightning locker room.
In April, the Lightning were short after battling through injuries at the end of the season. Geekie was called back up to Tampa with three games remaining before the team faced the Florida Panthers in the first round of the playoffs. A week later, he got his first taste of postseason action, averaging 12:22 of ice time.
“It was awesome. I loved it,” Geekie said of the energy in the playoffs. “I play a bit of a heavier game, so it was right up my alley. It didn't end the way we wanted. I think it brings a lot of hunger to the group.. We have a chip on our shoulder to start the year.”
Currently in his second Lightning training camp, the 21-year old knows the journey to play in Tampa won’t come easy. He’s working hard to secure a roster spot, and enjoying every step of the process this year.
“It's good to be back. It’s good to have some jokes with the guys. The competitive level is definitely there. Like I said, we have a chip on our shoulder..”
Geekie trained in both Toronto and Tampa this summer with Lightning skating coach Barb Underhill and Director of Skill Development, Randi Milani. Their focus was to help him get more confident with the puck.
“That’s when I'm at my best,” Geekie said. “We worked on being faster, stronger, all the usuals.. and focused on my skating.”
Geekie plays a ‘grind-it-out’ game, and hopes to add toughness to the Lightning lineup. He finished last season with 97 hits, ranking him 12th among all rookie NHL forwards.
“He's still a young kid, so there's going to be ups and downs, but he’s a workhorse and he's not afraid to be physical as well,” said Lightning captain Victor Hedman. “We need guys to take steps and he showed us last year that he can contribute on this level. He’s not going to shy away from anything, and that's what you want.”
Geekie’s goal is to play a full season with the Lightning this year. With two preseason games left, he made it through the latest round of roster cuts on Wednesday.
PACKERS SHOCKWAVE: Green Bay Star SLAPPED With $15,000 Fine After Explosive Post-Game Outburst at Referees Following Cowboys Clash
Green Bay, WI – The Packers’ locker room is in absolute disbelief after the NFL announced a
The game itself had already left fans on the edge of their seats — a wild offensive shootout where both teams traded blows in a clash of NFC titans. But what fans are buzzing about today isn’t the scoreboard — it’s the
Clark, normally known for his quiet leadership, shocked reporters when he called out the referees for what he claimed was “
When asked about the fine, Clark didn’t hold back, dropping one of the most viral quotes of the season:
“So the refs hand the Cowboys every break, and somehow I’m the one getting fined $15,000? I didn’t cross the line — I just showed emotion after watching us get robbed of a win. If standing up for my team is a crime, then what are we even playing for?”
The outburst comes after multiple questionable non-calls against the Cowboys, including a potential defensive pass interference that went unflagged late in the 4th quarter — a play that could have swung momentum toward Green Bay.
Packers HC Matt LaFleur tried to cool things down in his press conference, but even he admitted: “There were moments out there tonight where I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.”
Fans across Wisconsin are now rallying behind Clark, with social media exploding in defense of their star defender:
💬 “Kenny said what we’re all thinking. The refs stole that game.”
💬 “How does Dallas get away with this every year? Unreal.”
💬 “Fine or no fine, Clark is a leader. Respect.”
Meanwhile, Cowboys fans are firing back, claiming Green Bay had its fair share of lucky breaks. But one thing is clear: this tie didn’t feel like a tie — it felt like war.
As Green Bay prepares for its next matchup, all eyes will be on Clark and the locker room’s unity. Was this outburst a moment of passion… or the beginning of a bigger rift with the league?
