Lightning Ink Top Prospect Czata to 3-Year Deal in Tampa Bay

TAMPA, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Lightning signed forward Ethan Czata, their second-round selection (56th overall) in the 2025 NHL Draft, to a three-year entry-level contract on Wednesday, bolstering the organization's offensive pipeline.[2][6] The 6-foot-2, 178-pound Brampton, Ontario, native exploded for 21 goals, 34 assists and 55 points in 68 games with the Niagara IceDogs of the Ontario Hockey League during the 2024-25 season, ranking fourth on the team in goals and points.[2][6] Czata also notched 12 power-play assists and four power-play goals, showcasing his special-teams prowess.[6] Czata capped his junior campaign by contributing two assists in five OHL playoff games before shining internationally, earning a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2025 IIHF Under-18 Men's World Championship with four assists and five points in seven games.[6] The deal carries an NHL cap hit of $931,667 per PuckPedia estimates once Czata reaches the big club, with expectations he will develop initially with the Syracuse Crunch, Tampa Bay's AHL affiliate.[2] Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois continues an offense-heavy offseason trend ahead of the 2025-26 preseason in 78 days.[2] Meanwhile, the Lightning added depth by signing 2024 seventh-round pick Noah Steen, 21, to a separate two-year entry-level pact beginning 2026-27; the Oslo native posted 12 goals and 22 points in 52 SHL games with Orebro HK this season and joins Syracuse on an ATO for the 2025-26 remainder.[1][3] These moves signal Tampa Bay's commitment to prospect development amid their pursuit of another Stanley Cup run from the Amalie Arena.[3]