Seth Griffith Hoping Lightning Will Strike in Tampa Bay
Seth Griffith training at Todd Warriner's Hockey Station - Photo by Ian Kennedy
He waited 7 rounds at the 2011 NHL Draft to hear his name called, but the moment never came. Now, Wallaceburg’s Seth Griffith, a starring forward with the OHL’s London Knights is looking for Lightning to strike, and to prove scouts and critics wrong when he attends training camp on a tryout basis with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
“I was dissapointed,” said Griffith about not being selected in the NHL draft, “but I’m thankful that Tampa called and gave me this opportunity to go and prove to them what I can do.”
Griffith will travel to Florida from July 6 to July 13 for a conditioning camp, before returning to the Tampa Bay Lightning’s rookie camp in September. Griffith, who has been training at Todd Warriner’s Hockey Station in Chatham is looking at his undrafted status as motivation, rather than a roadblock, and is determined to prove everyone in the NHL that they made the wrong decision by not selecting him in the draft,
“At Tampa’s camp I want to prove to all the other team’s that they made the wrong choice, and I want to prove to Tampa that they were right to give me this opportunity.”
Griffith won’t be alone at Tampa’s camp, as his fellow London Knights teammate Vladaslav Namestnikov who Griffith found chemistry with in London, and Tampa Bay’s first round selection in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, will also be at camp vying for a roster spot with the team.
“I don’t know if we’ll play together at all, but Vladdy is a good friend. We talk almost every day and it will be great to share this experience with him.”
The road to the NHL for Seth Griffith won’t end this fall however, as barring a miracle, the Wallaceburg native will be back in a London Knights uniform this season continuing his development.
“I have to keep things going,” said Griffith. “I want to keep producing points wise, and continue to work on the little things and my skating to help get me to the next level.”
Many surrounding Griffith have commended him in recent days for the positive outlook he’s had following the draft, and have stated his drive and determination are as strong, or stronger than they’ve ever been. Although the path may seem a little more winding than it did in the days leading up to the draft, the ultimate goal for Seth Griffith remains the same; to one day play and succeed at the NHL level, a process which begins this month as Griffith shows off his skills with the Tampa Bay Lightning.