5'9 left wing Yanni Gourde gets compared to Tampa Bay Lightning forward Tyler Johnson quite a bit, due to their similar heights, playing style, and passion. This must feel like both a complement and a challenge to Gourde, who, much like Johnson, also went undrafted. After starting the 2013-2014 season bouncing between the ECHL and the AHL with the Worcester Sharks, Gourde was tasked by Tampa Bay with infusing life into a struggling Syracuse and was signed by the Lightning on March 10th, 2014. He was given an AHL contract for the remainder of the season, which then transitioned to a two-way NHL contract for the following two seasons.
Top 25 Under 25: #22 Yanni Gourde
