Tampa Bay Lightning’s Game Presentation Crew Treats Fans Like “Extended Family”

John Franzone (left) and Stephen Frey accept a 2025 Stanley award for the best game presentation in the National Hockey League.

Courtesy John Franzone

Entertain. Engage. Inspire. These are the pillars by which the Tampa Bay Lightning’s game presentation crew conducts its business in producing a top-shelf product experienced by nearly 20,000 of the team’s fans even before they enter Benchmark International Arena. It is why the crew was recognized this summer by the National Hockey League in winning a 2025 Stanley Award for putting on the best show after being a finalist two of the previous three years.

“Fate smiled on us this year and we were lucky enough to win the trophy,” said John Franzone, the Lightning’s senior vice president of game presentation.

Maybe there was some luck involved. Perhaps, more so, Franzone’s cast of professionals creates its own good fortune when it comes to elevating the fan experience. After all, it is a veteran group that knows how to read the temperature in order to make it happen for the fans.

“What do you do next?” said Stephen Frey, in his sixth season producing the show and 12th with the Lightning. “We won this award, which is incredible, and then it’s, ‘Wait, how do we one up this?’ Our fans are the ones watching us execute, so we do everything for them.”

Different teams do it different ways. The Lightning prefer to provide engagement when the opportunity arises, no matter how slim the window opening.

“You have the opportunity in the course of a sporting event where there is an ebb and flow,” said Franzone, who has been with the Lightning for 17 years and has four decades of industry experience. “Where you see an opportunity, you would be foolish not to take it. Some producers, some teams, may opt to lay low and play some music. We generally opt to seize the opportunity if we are afforded a window to tell some stories, a window to engage the fans or a window to inspire the fans.”

There is plenty of inspiration, especially when a veteran stands beside a fellow veteran, retired U.S. Air Force Technical Sergeant Sonya Bryson-Kirksey, as she performs “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Or in-game staples such as the Standing Salute, when an active or retired military member is recognized for career achievements. Likewise, community service endeavors have their place at Tampa Bay Lightning games. The Community Hero program was launched in 2011 and honors those who have gone above and beyond when it comes to volunteerism and such deeds.

“When I got here in 2008 there were not necessarily many traditions outside of the game, and we have created a few of them, which has been great to be a part of,” said Franzone.

From season ticket holders attending virtually every preseason, regular season and playoff match to the patron making his or her debut at a Lightning game, there truly is something for everyone. That includes, first and foremost, memories.

“There will be someone who comes to all 41 (regular season) games and there will be the person who comes here once,” said Franzone. “You have to achieve a balance and keep it fresh for the people that come to most every game, or make it memorable for the person coming here for the first time. That sort of underscores our philosophy, and it is all founded on making a memory, which you can do in a variety of ways.”

Every fan is valued. Hence, the presentation crew’s motto is “one fan is every fan.”

“We put our best foot forward at all times,” said Frey. “The sport of hockey is exciting enough, and it is our job to paint the picture around it.”

Those who are heard and/or seen in painting that picture during the course of a game such as host Greg Wolf, reporter Gabby Shirley, intermission host JP Peterson, organist Krystof Srebrakowski, public address announcer Paul Porter, who has been behind the mic since the Bolts’ inaugural season at the Florida State Fairgrounds, plaza host Steve Arfaras and Deiah Riley, who introduces the Community Hero, combined to serve what Franzone refers to as the “comfort food.” Their consistent presence and rhythm make patrons feel at home.

“You have these elements of game night that are part of your extended family if you are a Lightning fan,” said Franzone, of an experience that includes an award-winning video production team that is present from the morning skate to postgame interviews. “We are all connective tissue in that respect, and our show is one of those elements.”

Thunder Alley

The connectivity begins outside Benchmark International Arena in the plaza known as Thunder Alley. What takes place well before puck drop can be likened to a welcome mat leading to the larger production inside the 19,092-seat venue. Not that what takes place along the plaza is necessarily the undercard. Rather, there is much happening with bands, the Bolts Blue Crew, which, among other things, tosses t-shirts as a way of getting fans in game-time mode, and sponsor activations.

This season marks the debut of Lightning games televised by Scripps Sports. At a time when other broadcast entities are finding ways to cut corners, Scripps Sports is going the opposite direction in many ways, including the having pregame broadcast set as part of the activity in Thunder Alley.

“It really gives the whole plaza a ‘College GameDay’ feel,” said Franzone.

Along with host Paul Kennedy, former Tampa Bay players Dave Andreychuk, Braydon Coburn and Adam Hall have been part of the pregame show, and this season they have been joined by a couple of other individuals that wore the bolt on the front of their sweater, Pat Maroon and Ryan Malone. (Malone and his father, former NHLer, Greg, have done tremendous work in assisting veterans through hockey.)

“Before a fan has sat down to take in the game, you have from 60 to 90 minutes of atmosphere that takes you away from your daily routine and gives you a sense that you are in a new land,” said Franzone. “The foundation of our presentation begins outside.”

Much has been built on top of that foundation, which fans have long experienced inside the arena.

“There are a bunch of people working really hard to bring it to life,” said Franzone.