Three days after signing a two-way contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Baldwinsville native Cristoval "Boo" Nieves was sent home by the Lightning to suit up for the Syracuse Crunch.

Nieves had attended Tampa's training camp after signing a tryout contract January 1, leaving the NY Rangers organization as an unrestricted free agent. The 59th overall pick of the 2012 NHL Draft was then named to the Lightning's opening day roster before getting sent down on Friday.

The 26-year old forward has skated in 76 NHL games, all with the Rangers over the past four seasons, recording five goals and 19 points. He's also a veteran of 147 career AHL games with the Hartford Wolf Pack, where the former Michigan Wolverine has amassed 24 goals and 79 points.

The Syracuse Crunch are expected to begin the 2021 season on February 5, but the AHL has not released any schedules yet.