TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed defenseman Max Crozier to a three-year contract worth an average annual value (AAV) of $775,000, Vice President and General Manager Julien BriseBois announced today. The deal includes a two-way structure for the 2025–26 season, transitioning to a one-way contract for the final two years.
Crozier, 25, had a standout season in 2024–25 with the Syracuse Crunch (AHL), notching career highs in goals (9) and points (34) over 52 regular-season games. He led all Syracuse blueliners in goals, plus-minus rating (+16), game-winning goals (4), and shots (129), while finishing second in assists (25) and power-play goals (3). He also appeared in three Calder Cup Playoff games, recording 13 shots and two penalty minutes.
The 6-foot-3, 198-pound defenseman played five NHL games for the Lightning during the 2024–25 season, tallying 11 hits, six blocked shots, and averaging 16:41 of ice time. Crozier made his NHL debut during the 2023–24 campaign, appearing in 13 games and picking up his first NHL point, an assist, on January 23 at Philadelphia. He later made his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut, skating in three postseason games with five hits, two blocks, and four shots on goal.
A native of Calgary, Alberta, Crozier has appeared in 110 career AHL games, all with Syracuse, compiling 13 goals, 58 points, 124 penalty minutes, and five power-play goals.
Crozier was originally selected by Tampa Bay in the fourth round (120th overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft.
