from Joe Smith of Lightning Strikes,

"It's awesome," Feaster said. "The previous ownership group that (Jeff Vinik) bought it from, they did everything they could to try to purge any evidence and record and memory of the 04 Cup win. So it's nice to be welcomed back like this."

Feaster called Vinik "the best owner in the game" and believes he'll bring the Lightning a Cup. He lauded Vinik for his community efforts and hiring good people, allowing general manager Steve Yzerman to do his job. Feaster doesn't want to get in Yzerman's way, and will stick to youth initiatives at putting more sticks in kids hands and growing the game. Feaster talked about the efforts to make hockey a sanctioned sport in Florida high schools, using hockey-based learning programs in schools, getting more invovled in the learn to play initiative.

Feaster just never thought that he'd come back to Tampa Bay and neither Vinny Lecavalier nor Marty St. Louis would be there. Lecavalier was bought out last summer. St. Louis forced his awkward departure in March by requesting a trade to the Rangers after not getting initially picked for Team Canada, which was run by Lightning GM Steve Yzerman.

"It hurt," Feaster said.

more