Lightning owner Jeff Vinik suffers ‘major leg fracture’ in snowmobile accident
One of the league’s top chairmen has suffered a scary injury.
On Friday, the Tampa Bay Lightning announced that owner and team chairman Jeff Vinik was injured in a snowmobile accident while traveling with his family in Norway.
According to the team, Vinik suffered a major leg fracture in the crash.
Wishing you a speedy recovery, Mr. Vinik 💙
“During a recent trip with his children, Jeff Vinik was involved in a snowmobiling accident resulting in a major leg fracture,” the statement said. “He is currently under the care of exceptional medical professionals and is expected to make a full recovery.”
The Lightning noted that, while Vinik is doing well, he will be unable to be in attendance for the 2026 NHL Stadium Series, which is set to see the Lightning host the Boston Bruins on Sunday night at Raymond James Stadium.
“As an organization, we are deeply thankful for his resilience and dedication,” the statement continued. “And although we are heartbroken he will miss this historic moment for the Tampa Bay Lightning, a milestone he tirelessly worked to bring to our community, we know he will be watching and taking immense pride in what Team Tampa Bay has accomplished. Go Bolts!”
Vinik has been a key part in helping the Lightning be one of the NHL’s top franchises. The New Jersey native bought a controlling stake in the team in 2010 and has overseen a team that has gone on to the Stanley Cup Final four times. The Bolts won it all in 2020 and 2021, becoming just the second team to win consecutive championships in the salary cap era.
On top of creating a championship-caliber team, Vinik was a key part in driving interest for the NHL to bring an outdoor game to Florida. When Tampa hosted the 2018 NHL All-Star Game, the team had billboards posted around town, pitching the idea to NHL officials as they were leaving the city.
Sunday’s game will mark the second outdoor game to take place in the Sunshine State this season, as the Florida Panthers hosted the New York Rangers in the NHL Winter Classic earlier this month. The Lightning first appeared in a Stadium Series game in February 2022, beating the Nashville Predators in Music City.