Entertain. Engage. Inspire. These are the pillars by which the Tampa Bay Lightning’s video game discussion team performs its service in producing a top-shelf item experienced by almost 20,000 of the group’s fans even before they go into Criteria International Arena. It is why the team was acknowledged this summer season by the National Hockey League in winning a 2025 Stanley Award for placing on the very best program after being a finalist 2 of the previous 3 years.
” Fate smiled on us this year and we were fortunate adequate to win the prize,” stated John Franzone, the Lightning’s senior vice president of video game discussion.
Possibly there was some luck included. Possibly, more so, Franzone’s cast of specialists produces its own good luck when it pertains to raising the fan experience. After all, it is an experienced group that understands how to check out the temperature level in order to make it occur for the fans.
” What do you do next?” stated Stephen Frey, in his 6th season producing the program and 12th with the Lightning. “We won this award, which is unbelievable, and after that it’s, ‘Wait, how do we one up this?’ Our fans are the ones seeing us carry out, so we do whatever for them.”
Various groups do it various methods. The Lightning choose to offer engagement when the chance develops, no matter how slim the window opening.
” You have the chance in the course of a sporting occasion where there is an ups and downs,” stated Franzone, who has actually been with the Lightning for 17 years and has 4 years of market experience. “Where you see a chance, you would be absurd not to take it. Some manufacturers, some groups, might decide to lay low and play some music. We usually decide to take the chance if we are paid for a window to inform some stories, a window to engage the fans or a window to influence the fans.”
There is lots of motivation, specifically when a veteran stands next to a fellow veteran, retired U.S. Flying force Technical Sergeant Sonya Bryson-Kirksey, as she carries out “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Or in-game staples such as the Standing Salute, when an active or retired military member is acknowledged for profession accomplishments. Similarly, social work ventures have their location at Tampa Bay Lightning video games. The Neighborhood Hero program was released in 2011 and honors those who have actually exceeded and beyond when it pertains to volunteerism and such deeds.
” When I got here in 2008 there were not always numerous customs beyond the video game, and we have actually produced a few of them, which has actually been terrific to be a part of,” stated Franzone.
From season ticket holders going to practically every preseason, routine season and playoff match to the customer making his/her launching at a Lightning video game, there genuinely is something for everybody. That consists of, most importantly, memories.
” There will be somebody who pertains to all 41 (routine season) video games and there will be the individual who comes here as soon as,” stated Franzone. “You need to attain a balance and keep it fresh for individuals that concern a lot of every video game, or make it remarkable for the individual coming here for the very first time. That sort of highlights our viewpoint, and it is all based on making a memory, which you can do in a range of methods.”
Every fan is valued. Thus, the discussion team’s slogan is “one fan is every fan.”
” We put our finest foot forward at all times,” stated Frey. “The sport of hockey is interesting enough, and it is our task to paint the photo around it.”
Those who are heard and/or seen in painting that photo throughout the course of a video game such as host Greg Wolf, press reporter Gabby Shirley, intermission host JP Peterson, organist Krystof Srebrakowski, public address commentator Paul Porter, who has actually lagged the mic given that the Bolts’ inaugural season at the Florida State Fairgrounds, plaza host Steve Arfaras and Deiah Riley, who presents the Neighborhood Hero, integrated to serve what Franzone describes as the “home cooking.” Their constant existence and rhythm make customers feel comfortable.
” You have these aspects of video game night that belong to your extended household if you are a Lightning fan,” stated Franzone, of an experience that consists of an acclaimed video production group that exists from the early morning skate to postgame interviews. “We are all connective tissue in that regard, and our program is among those aspects.”
From delegated right, Paul Kennedy, Braydon Coburn and Pat Maroon on the Scripps Sports embeded in Thunder Street outside Criteria International Arena prior to the Tampa Bay Lightning’s season opener versus the Ottawa Senators on October 9, 2025.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Thunder Street
The connection starts outside Criteria International Arena in the plaza referred to as Thunder Street. What occurs well before puck drop can be compared to a welcome mat resulting in the bigger production inside the 19,092-seat place. Not that what occurs along the plaza is always the undercard. Rather, there is much occurring with bands, the Bolts Blue Team, which, to name a few things, tosses tee shirts as a method of getting fans in game-time mode, and sponsor activations.
This season marks the launching of Lightning video games telecasted by Scripps Sports. At a time when other broadcast entities are discovering methods to cut corners, Scripps Sports is going the opposite instructions in numerous methods, consisting of the having actually pregame broadcast set as part of the activity in Thunder Street.
” It truly offers the entire plaza a ‘College GameDay’ feel,” stated Franzone.
Together with host Paul Kennedy, previous Tampa Bay gamers Dave Andreychuk, Braydon Coburn and Adam Hall have actually become part of the pregame program, and this season they have actually been signed up with by a number of other people that used the bolt on the front of their sweatshirt, Pat Maroon and Ryan Malone. (Malone and his daddy, previous NHLer, Greg, have actually done significant operate in helping veterans through hockey.)
” Before a fan has actually taken a seat to take in the video game, you have from 60 to 90 minutes of environment that takes you far from your everyday regimen and offers you a sense that you remain in a colony,” stated Franzone. “The structure of our discussion starts outdoors.”
Much has actually been constructed on top of that structure, which fans have long skilled inside the arena.
” There are a lot of individuals working truly difficult to bring it to life,” stated Franzone.
Source: Forbes.
