The Tampa Bay Lightning are making some roster moves in the pipeline, reassigning forwards Milo Roelens and Cooper Flinton from the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch to the ECHL’s Orlando Solar Bears. It’s a strategic shift that gives both young players more ice time and development opportunities in the Solar Bears’ lineup - a familiar move in the NHL’s developmental ecosystem.
Roelens: Size, Skill, and a Scoring Touch
Milo Roelens, at 6-foot-7 and 225 pounds, brings a rare physical presence down the middle. The 23-year-old has already seen action in both leagues this season, notching an assist in two games with the Crunch, while adding 11 goals and seven assists in 29 games with Orlando. That’s a solid offensive clip in the ECHL, and it’s clear the Lightning are looking to keep him in a rhythm by giving him consistent top-line minutes.
Last season, Roelens split time between the Crunch and the Solar Bears, appearing in 35 AHL games and scoring six goals with two assists. He also chipped in a goal and two assists in 16 ECHL contests. While his AHL numbers haven’t popped just yet, his production in Orlando suggests he’s finding his confidence and carving out a more defined role in the pro ranks.
Before turning pro, Roelens logged 238 games in the QMJHL, where he tallied 165 points (64 goals, 101 assists) across stints with Acadie-Bathurst, Sherbrooke, and Gatineau. That junior résumé shows he has offensive instincts, and now it’s about translating that success into the pro game - something the Lightning organization has proven adept at developing.
Flinton: A Power Forward with Upside
Cooper Flinton, 22, is another forward the Lightning are keeping a close eye on. He’s played 23 games with the Crunch this season, scoring once, and has also skated in two games for the Solar Bears. While his offensive output in Syracuse has been limited, Flinton is still adjusting to the pro game after coming out of Dartmouth College.
Last season, he played four games with the Crunch - scoring once - after wrapping up a strong collegiate campaign. In 32 games for the Big Green, Flinton posted 11 goals and 24 points, including two shorthanded goals and four power-play tallies.
He finished top-four on the team in both points and assists, and his 11 goals tied for third. Over his college career, he racked up 32 goals and 64 points in 89 games, showing he can contribute in multiple situations, from the man advantage to late-game scenarios.
Originally drafted by Tampa Bay in the seventh round (211th overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft, Flinton has the size (6-foot-2, 213 pounds), skating, and scoring touch to be a long-term project with upside. The move to Orlando gives him a chance to get more reps and potentially regain the offensive rhythm he showed at the NCAA level.
What This Means
For both Roelens and Flinton, this reassignment isn’t a step back - it’s a calculated move to get them more ice time and responsibility. The ECHL has become a legitimate development ground for NHL prospects, especially those still refining their game. With the Solar Bears, they’ll have more opportunities to play in key situations and continue building the habits that will eventually earn them a longer look in the AHL - and potentially beyond.
The Lightning have long been known for their ability to find and develop talent outside of the first round, and these two forwards are part of that ongoing philosophy. With time, reps, and the right development path, both Roelens and Flinton have the tools to push for more permanent roles higher up the ladder.