The Tampa Bay Lightning have inked a solid two-way player.
On Friday, University of Minnesota Duluth forward Dominic James announced on his personal Instagram account that he has signed his first NHL contract with the Lightning.
I’m not seeing anything on X yet but Dominic James signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Let’s go Dominic! They now have him and Ryan Fanti in their organization so I guess it’s time to get a Tampa Bay Lightning shirt! pic.twitter.com/RFRmYoV3lL
— Angel Carl ✝ (@blldgshockey11) September 19, 2025
The team has yet to announce the signing. The terms of the deal have yet to be revealed as well.
James was initially taken in the sixth round, 173rd overall, of the 2022 NHL Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks. However, the Blackhawks didn’t sign the Plymouth, Mich. native by the Aug. 15 deadline earlier this summer, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent.
James is coming off a solid senior season with the Bulldogs, leading the team in goals (14) and points (30) in 35 games, setting career highs in both offensive categories. The alternate captain had a fruitful performance after missing most of the 2023-24 season with a shoulder surgery suffered just two games into the campaign.
In 111 games across four seasons in Duluth, James potted 30 goals and 47 assists for 77 points. In his rookie season, he was named to the NCHC All-Tournament team while helping the Bulldogs take home their latest conference championship.
Along with being a solid offensive weapon in college, James has earned a reputation as a reliable asset in his own zone, leading to a career plus/minus of +10 at UMD.
Along with his collegiate career, James also represented his country at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship, both the complete and canceled tournaments. In the August rendition of the event, he registered an assist in five games.
