TAMPA, Fla. – Yanni Gourde, the tenacious forward for the Tampa Bay Lightning, expressed immense satisfaction and excitement today after signing a six-year contract extension with the organization, a deal he hopes will see him conclude his illustrious career in the Sunshine State.
The announcement, made by Vice President and General Manager Julien BriseBois, solidifies Gourde’s return to the team with an average annual value (AAV) of $2.33 million.
Gourde, who was re-acquired by the Lightning on March 5, 2025, in a significant three-team trade involving the Detroit Red Wings and Seattle Kraken, spoke passionately about the importance of the long-term commitment.
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“Extremely happy, honestly,” Gourde said with a wide smile during a press conference. “I’m so happy to continue my journey as a Lightning. The term was a big factor, and I’m very happy and very excited for the future.”
For Gourde, the decision to commit to Tampa Bay was deeply personal. “I love Tampa, I wanted to stay in Tampa for a long time,” he emphasized. “That was the biggest thing for me, really getting some term and being able to stay and play in Tampa for the remaining years of my career.”
When asked about the legacy he hopes to leave behind over the next six years, Gourde’s focus remained on the team’s established winning culture.
“The Lightning has always had a winning culture, and I think that’s what we want to achieve,” he stated. “We just want to keep building that culture… trying to find a way to win, find a way to perform, find a way to be proud to wear that Tampa Bay Lightning Jersey. And obviously, the ultimate goal is to win a Championship.”
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Since rejoining the Bolts, Gourde, 33, has made an immediate impact, registering 13 assists and 14 points in 21 games, along with a plus-four rating. His relentless forechecking and defensive responsibility were evident, with 50 hits ranking second on the team following his acquisition. He also played in all five of Tampa Bay’s playoff games, showcasing his defensive prowess with six blocked shots and nine hits.
This contract marks a familiar embrace for Gourde, who was an integral part of the Lightning’s back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2020 and 2021. Originally undrafted, Gourde’s journey to the NHL began when he signed with Tampa Bay as a free agent on March 10, 2014.
Reflecting on his return, Gourde expressed his confidence in the current Lightning roster despite recent turnover.
“I thought that team was really good,” he said.
“As soon as I got traded here, you can see how much talent there is, how much dedication there is. The culture is still there from the same culture that we had when we won.” He added, “It’s a great locker room. Everyone’s so amazing, so awesome! And it’s so fun to be part of that… we want to win and you can tell, and I think we’re right there again.”
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Prior to his re-acquisition, Gourde played in 271 regular-season games for the Seattle Kraken after being selected in the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft, accumulating 52 goals and 146 points. He was a key figure in Seattle’s first and only playoff appearance in 2023, leading the team with nine assists, 13 points, and two game-winning goals in 14 postseason games.
When asked if he had envisioned a long-term contract with the Lightning when he was traded back in March, Gourde admitted, “I was hoping it would be a possibility, but you never know until the negotiation starts.” He reiterated that Tampa had “always been at the top of my list” if he were to be traded or sign elsewhere as a free agent.
The Saint-Narcisse, Quebec native’s affinity for Tampa extends beyond the ice. “When you win two Championships with a team, and there’s still a lot of guys from that group, it makes this place very special,” he explained. “The hockey, the winning culture, it adds up. It makes you want to be here, makes you want to play for that logo. It makes you want to do everything you can to win games.”
Despite battling injuries this past season, including groin and finger issues, Gourde is eager to showcase his full potential as a healthy player.
“I think they’ve seen Yanni Gourde before,” he confidently stated. “I’m the same guy that I was a few years ago. I just want to go out there and help my team win… Consistency is definitely something that I want to bring every single day for this fan base, for my teammates, for my team.”
Overall, Gourde has played in 602 career NHL games, tallying 133 goals and 347 points, along with a plus-46 rating. In 88 career playoff games, he has recorded 20 goals and 43 points, along with 164 hits and 65 takeaways. With this new six-year deal, Gourde looks forward to adding many more chapters to his already impressive Lightning story.
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