Are you ready for some hockey? Bay area fans of the Tampa Bay Lightning sure are!

  • Lightning Fan Fest kicks off 2016-2017 preseason
  • Supporters thankful for Lightning ownership's handling of franchise
  • 1st preseason game is Sept. 27 vs. Carolina

The Tampa Bay Lightning kicked off the start of preseason with their annual Fan Fest Sunday. Thousands of fans showed up to Amalie Arena for the big event, all with one thing on their minds.

"Stanley Cup," said fan Kimberly McIntosh. "Yup, Stanley needs to come home."

Dedicated Bolts fans already have their focus on the Finals. They said this year, the team is looking better than ever.

"The owners of Tampa Bay sports really take a lot of pride in re-signing their core and their talent," fan Robert Parsons said. "We just got season tickets this year and it's a great experience. We've always followed the team last year, we picked up a couple games, but the environment down here is amazing so we like to come down here and be a part of it."

During Fan Fest, fans got to see the team take the ice for a scrimmage match, followed by pictures and autographs with their favorite players.

"The kids just have so much fun, it gets them up close and personal," said fan Brianna Wetherwax. "Sports are so important for the kids to learn inside and outside of school."

Supporters said they’re thankful for the Lightning owners and how well they treat the fans. They said that’s part of what makes Tampa such a great hockey town.

"They just treat their members so great and offer all these opportunities for children and adults and gets you really excited for hockey season and I couldn't be happier to be a member this year,” fan Rachel Harris said.

Fans said they’re going to keep the momentum going for the start of preseason on Tuesday, September 27 when the Lightning face the Carolina Hurricanes at Amalie Arena.

The Lightning also announced on Sunday that they will honor and welcome home former Captain Vincent LeCavalier during their home game against the Florida Panthers on October 18th. LeCavalier played 14 seasons for the Lightning, and retired after playing last season for the Philadelphia Flyers and Los Angeles Kings.