NHL’s Lightning sign Rockets captain Szturc to entry-level contract

The NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning have signed Kelowna Rockets captain Gabriel Szturc to a three-year, entry-level contract.

The Club announced the signing Saturday afternoon. The contract for Szturc begins with the 2024-25 NHL season.

Szturc, 20, has racked up 67 points (27G-40A) in 53 games with the Rockets this season.

The 5-foot-10, 176-pound product of Cesky Tesin, Czechia, has spent three seasons with the Rockets, appearing in 177 regular season games and colleting 188 points (67G-121A). In nine WHL Playoff games with the Rockets, Szturc has added another three points (2G-1A).

Szturc represented his nation at the past two IIHF World Junior Championships. In 2023, he chipped in with eight points (5G-3A) in seven games as Czechia claimed silver.

Szturc was originally selected by the Rockets in the first round (44th overall) of the 2021 CHL Import Draft.