(via Tampa Bay Lightning Communications) - The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed free agent defenseman Luke Witkowski to a two-year, two-way contract, vice president and general manager Julien BriseBois announced today.
Witkowski, 29, skated in 34 games with the Detroit Red Wings last season, collecting two assists and 23 penalty minutes. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound defenseman has spent the past two seasons with the Red Wings, appearing in 65 games over that stretch while posting a goal and six points.
The Holland, Michigan native started his NHL career with the Lightning when he was drafted by the Bolts in the sixth round, 160th overall, at the 2008 NHL Draft. Witkowski has appeared in 54 career games with Tampa Bay, posting four assists. He has skated in 218 career American Hockey League games, all with the Syracuse Crunch over five seasons and served as the captain of the Crunch during the 2016-17 season.