No. 4 Forever: Tampa Bay Lightning To Retire Lecavalier’s Number

TAMPA, FL – The number 4 will never be worn again by any other Tampa Bay Lightning player. The team’s owner, Jeffrey Vinik, announced the franchise will retire Vincent Lecavalier’s No. 4 on Saturday, Feb. 10 when the Lightning host the Los Angeles Kings.

Lecavalier will be the second player to have his number retired with the Lightning. The former Bolts captain joins Martin St. Louis, who had his jersey retired last season.

“We are thrilled to retire (the number of) another one of our franchise’s great players, and it’s extra special since this year we will be celebrating our 25th anniversary,” Vinik said. “Vinny was a tremendous player during his 14 (seasons) with the team and a true ambassador and hero for many people in Tampa Bay for his tireless work in the community.”

Lecavalier was with the Lightning for exactly 15 years. He was drafted by Tampa Bay on June 27, 1998, and was traded on June 27, 2013. While he came into the league with unintended huge expectations (former owner Art Williams labeled him “the Michael Jordan of Hockey” on his draft day), Lecavalier eventually made good with a spectacular career.

While still holding the record for the longest career with the Lightning, Lecavalier was named the team’s captain on March 1, 200, becoming the youngest captain in NHL history at the time at 19 years, 314 days old. To help Lecavalier flourish without his previous career-long expectations, head coach John Tortorella removed Lecavalier’s C in 2002.

Lecavalier’s turn-around was remarkable: In 80 games, Lecavalier recorded 33 goals, 35 assists and helped the Bolts win their first Southeast Division title. Tampa Bay made the playoffs that year for the second time ever, and won its first-ever playoff series.

From there, Lecavalier’s career skyrocketed. Aside from being an integral part of winning the Stanley Cup championship, Lecavalier won the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s top regular-season goal scorer with 52 goals scored in the 2006-07 season. In the same season, Lecavalier scored 108 points, which is still the single-season record for the Lightning.

Lecavalier went beyond his commitment to the Lightning in 2007 when he announced a $3-million commitment to build The Vincent Lecavalier Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorder Center at All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg. When it opened in 2009, the center was one of the largest pediatric cancer centers in the state, occupying half of the seventh floor in all the All Children’s Hospital.

After his pledge for the center, Lecavalier was honored by the NHL in 2008 for his community service, winning both the King Clancy Memorial Trophy and the NHL Foundation Player award, both recognizing his commitment and service to charities in the Tampa Bay community.

“It is a great honor to have my number retired and I’d like to thank the Lightning organization and Jeff Vinik for recognizing me with this achievement,” Lecavaler said. “The Tampa Bay community and our fans have treated me and my family so amazingly that his honor is extra special to share it with everyone. My family and I are very excited for Feb. 10 when we can share so many memories.”

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