This Lightning Alumni couldn’t stay away from Tampa Bay; It was something special that drew him back
Former Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Patrick Maroon is rejoining the oganization in a role that describes perfectly how much the Tampa community means to him and his family.
Over the course of his 14-year career in the National Hockey League, Pat Maroon skated for eight teams, including the Anaheim Ducks (2011-2016) Edmonton Oilers (2015-2018), New Jersey Devils (2017-18), St. Louis Blues (2018-19), Tampa Bay Lightning (2019-2023), Minnesota Wild (2023-24), Boston Bruins (2023-24), and he ended his career with the Chicago Blackhawks (2024-25) announcing his retirement at the end of the 2024-25 season.
But of the eight teams he played for, one community stuck out the most, and it’s why he couldn’t stay away from Tampa Bay, FL.
“I just think the community and the people that work around us are really, really good people,” he stated. “And I get along with everyone. It just made the most sense for me and my family, So I’m really excited to be back.”
The Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday announced that they have hired Maroon to re-join the organization as a full-time team ambassador where he will work closely on community appearances in the greater Tampa Bay area, along with growing the game of hockey throughout the town, and other areas the Lightning assign him to as well. He will also work as an analyst for the team’s television broadcast.
As mentioned above, Maroon was with the Lightning from 2019-2023. Over the course of that time, he helped lead the Lightning to back-to-back Stanley Cup Championships. Through 280 games on the ice for Tampa, he scored 29 goals, had 53 assists, and accumulated 82 points.
And while he had great stats on ice, one of the other moments he’ll never forget about Tampa Bay was the birth of his daughter, a big reason why he now chooses to calm Tampa Bay home once again.
“My daughter was born here, she loves it here,” said Maroon. “My son Anthony loves It here and loves coming down to be here with and live with us during the summer months, and I think it just made sense for us,” he reiterated. “It’s a great opportunity and I’m really excited to work for the Lightning and just kind of see where this goes.”
As an ambassador for the team, Maroon will spend a great deal of time working with the fans in the community. The Lightning have always been an organization that prides themselves on being a community-first team who always finds a way to be at most events and to engage with the community as much as possible. Maroon noted that was one of things he loves most about Tampa Bay and gives him excitement around this role.
While he said this first season will be hard not being not being on the ice, he reiterated his excitement for the opportunity to remain around the game he loves in this capacity with the Lightning organization.
Vikings RB Ty Chandler to Miss 4 Games After Gutsy Game-Clinching Play
The Minnesota Vikings running back depth just took a serious hit.
After sustaining a knee injury in the season opener against the Chicago Bears, fourth-year running back Ty Chandler was placed on the injured reserve list on Thursday, September 11.
While Chandler did not take a carry in the opener, he is a vital depth piece with 663 yards rushing, three touchdowns and 38 games played in his career. He is credited with a heads-up play to look toward head coach Kevin O’Connell on the Bears’ final kickoff return. O’Connell gave Chandler the signal to take the ball out of the end zone, ultimately draining enough clock to pass the two-minute warning and help the Vikings ice the game.
He did so while playing through the injury.
“It is something that just speaks to Ty Chandler, not only finishing the game, but being one of the last people to touch the football there on that last kick return, when he brought it out to make sure we ate up that two-minute warning,” O’Connell said on Wednesday. “Ty is so tough. He’s one of those people that you’re not surprised when you kind of hear about it in detail the next day of like, this could be something that causes him to miss a little bit of time. That’s how tough he is, and he wasn’t coming off the field in any capacity. So, we’ll get him cleaned up and healthy, and everything will be good.”
Starting inside linebacker Blake Cashman was also placed on injured reserve after sustaining a hamstring injury in Week 1. Andrew Van Ginkel and Jeff Okudah remain in concussion protocol and are at risk of missing a Week 2 matchup with the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.
Vikings Undrafted Rookie Gets Chance After Chandler Injury
The Vikings running back room has little experience on the roster after Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason.
The duo proved efficient in their timeshare at Soldier Field and figures to dominate the work in the backfield.
However, if either were to go down, Minnesota would hitch its hopes to 2024 undrafted rookie Zavier Scott, who spent last season on the practice squad.
Scott shined during the preseason enough to garner a roster spot and force the Vikings to carry four backs into the regular season.
Chandler joins C.J. Ham on the injured reserve list, which could lead to some tough decisions when both backs are ready to return to the 53-man roster.
In the meantime, Scott is likely next in line to handle kickoff returns in Chandler’s absence.
Ty Chandler’s Prove-It Year Derailed With Injury
Chandler’s injury is unfortunate for the fourth-year back who is in the final year of his rookie contract.
Considered a trade chip entering the season, Chandler’s injury will keep him from asserting his value for a role before the deadline.
There also won’t be much room for him to showcase his talents on offense with the Mason-Jones tandem taking up all the carries.
Hopefully, Chandler can return quickly and contribute on special teams to help the Vikings, but his role with the team beyond this season remains questionable.
