FLORIDA — Jaydon Dureau was a fifth round pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning at the 2020 Draft.
Dureau is Cree from Ahtahkakoop First Nation and remains a prospect of Tampa Bay. Playing for the Portland Winterhawks, who have taken up a more tasteful logo, Dureau was an alternate captain and finished fifth in team scoring with 66 points in 49 games, which was also good for second in points per game.
On May 12 of last year, the Portland Winterhawks forward ended the season as the team’s leading scorer with 31 points in 24 games played.
After two seasons in the Bolts system, the Lightning gave him a three-year entry level contract after his age 20/21 year announced on May 21 of this year. He will go to the Syracuse Crunch where he’ll have three years to prove he can be useful player to the Lightning.
A known hurdle for CHL players going to the AHL without men’s league experience is acclimating to the pace, relentlessness, and the heightened responsibility.
Dureau is considered a hard working left winger with smooth handling and offensive upside, and the Lightening are known to develop young forwards into contributing NHL players.
For now, Dureau will remain an AHL rookie that will have a chance to play every night while improving his game on and off the ice.
