Dave Andreychuk
The veteran captain who led Tampa Bay to its first Stanley Cup.
Dave Andreychuk joined the Tampa Bay Lightning as a free agent in 2001, after the team's general manager Rick Dudley—a former coach of Andreychuk—thought he could provide a key veteran presence. At the time, Andreychuk was considering retirement. He laid down rules to tighten the team, from not dumping jerseys on the floor to a $5 fine for anyone who stepped over the team logo. Named captain in the 2002–03 season, he led the Lightning to the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons and, in 2004, captained the team to its first Stanley Cup championship, defeating the Calgary Flames in seven games.
Quick Facts
- Position
- Left wing
- Played for
- Buffalo Sabres
- Toronto Maple Leafs
- New Jersey Devils
- Boston Bruins
- Colorado Avalanche
- Tampa Bay Lightning
- Shoots
- Right
- Born
- 29 September 1963
- Birthplace
- Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Draft
- 16th overall
- Drafted by
- Buffalo Sabres
- Hall of Fame
- 2017
Lore & Background
Andreychuk's most defining moment came in the 2003–04 season, when he captained the Lightning to their first Stanley Cup championship, defeating the Calgary Flames in seven games. He recorded 14 points in the 2004 playoffs. Andreychuk went 22 years without being on a Stanley Cup championship team, tying the NHL record with Ray Bourque for the longest career before doing so; only Bourque had played more career games before winning his first Cup. After the 2004–05 lockout, Andreychuk returned for the 2005–06 season, but his contributions decreased and he was waived by the Lightning on January 10, 2006, ending his career. He retired as one of only four players with 600 goals and 1,600 games played in NHL history.
Reader's Guide
Andreychuk played for the Lightning from the 2001–02 season through the 2005–06 season. He was named captain in 2002–03 and led the team to the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons. In the 2003–04 season, he reached 20 goals for the third consecutive year with the team. He recorded 14 points in the 2004 playoffs as the Lightning won the Stanley Cup Final. After the 2004–05 lockout, he returned for the 2005–06 season but was waived on January 10, 2006, ending his career. On February 4, 2011, the Lightning named him Vice President in charge of fans; he currently serves as the Lightning's Vice President of Corporate & Community Affairs. In 2014, the Lightning revealed a statue outside Amalie Arena depicting him lifting the Stanley Cup after winning it in 2004. He was inducted into the Tampa Bay Lightning Hall of Fame as part of its second class in 2024.
More in Legendary Players & Coaches
Elsewhere in Tampa Bay Lightning
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced