My name is Zack, and I am someone who breaks down the NHL and the Tampa Bay Lightning using advanced stats.
For five seasons, I was an NHL Gameday Stats Assistant for a private company that worked with the league when it came to producing stats. My job was to input the stats. During those 5 years, I learned a great deal about the NHL and the Tampa Bay Lightning. I was fortunate enough to witness Stanley Cup finals matchups and Eastern Conference disappointments. I heard the roar of a sold-out Amalie Arena whether it was an all-home Lightning crowd, or sometimes even a 50/50 split of fan allegiances when the likes of Chicago, Toronto, or other visiting teams came into town. I was on hand to see games with no fans such as during the 2020 Covid season, when the NHL made the decision to play games with no fans in attendance. Those of us who were in the press box could even hear the players communicating on the ice.
On the statistical and analytical side, I learned more about the game and why various coaching and front office moves were made throughout a game and a season.
I will say, though, I am not all about numbers. I still feel that heart and determination play a huge role not only in sports, but in life in general. A team or a person’s heart and their inner drive to be successful, and train is something that cannot be measured by a stat.
Beyond my experience with the Tampa Bay Lightning, I have trained in martial arts for 25 years and have been instructing for 14 years. In addition, I have coached in over 200 games in the State of Florida at the High School level. I am an avid Florida Gators fan and follower of college athletics, the NFL, and the MLB. Beyond sports and fitness, I enjoy kayaking in the Florida swamps, spending time with my dog, and raising aquatic turtles.
One might ask the question; how did you get into sports and fitness? The answer to that question would be because of my father. My father has always made it a priority in life to spend time with me, whether that was going on a bike ride as a child, kayaking, watching a game on tv or going to them together. I became entrenched in the love of the game and the competition that stems from it. Attending Florida Gator and Tampa Bay games as a fan with my dad are some of the most joyful moments in my life.
I look forward to providing an array of content through different sources of media on the NHL and Tampa Bay Lightning here at FL Teams.
I will provide breakdowns from a strategical point of view using stats and analytics; while also not discounting the heart and determination of a champion. In addition, you might catch me talking about the Florida Gators in the SEC or giving my thoughts on the other local Tampa Bay teams from time to time.