Lightning Affiliates

The Tampa Bay Lightning affiliate section follows the AHL's Syracuse Crunch and ECHL's Orlando Solar Bears. Both teams are part of Tampa Bay's development system, so prospect, assignment, recall and organizational stories are grouped with the Lightning. Tampa Bay has been affiliated with the Syracuse Crunch since the 2012-13 season, a partnership extended in 2026 through 2029-30 and one that has produced two Calder Cup Final appearances for Syracuse. The Orlando Solar Bears became the Lightning's ECHL affiliate in 2018-19 and extended that relationship again in 2026. Together, Syracuse and Orlando form a long-running development ladder for Lightning prospects.