Lightning's DeAngelo sent back to junior despite comparisons to Dan Boyle
The Tampa Bay Lightning sent defensive prospect Anthony DeAngelo back to the OHL's Sarnia Sting on Saturday, but his time at the big club's training camp left some comparing the 18-year-old to one of the top players at his position over the past decade.
Lightning assistant coach George Gwozdecky wasted no time in pointing to former Tampa Bay defenseman (and 2004 Stanley Cup winner) Dan Boyle as a point of comparison.
High praise indeed, but justified in Gwozdecky's estimation.
"We've all seen what career Danny has been able to have," Gwozdecky told the Tampa Bay Times of Boyle, now with New York Rangers and the holder of 561 career points in 954 games to his credit. "You hate to compare the great players to the up-and-coming players because sometimes it's very unfair. But certainly, some of the qualities you see in Anthony, his ability to be able to transition the puck and see the ice and make plays, they're all there."
"He's really poised, has a lot of confidence out there, a little swag in the way he plays," added head coach Jon Cooper. "So you want that in a player ... And you can see he's got that talent in him, the vision he has, the confidence with the puck. He's fit right in up here."
Prior to being cut from the NHL roster, DeAngelo said he wanted to leave the impression that he's close to being a pro-level player. With whispers of Boyle now accompanying his name, an NHL career seems all but guaranteed at this point.
In 51 games with the Sting last season, DeAngelo scored 15 goals and added 56 assists.