The Tampa Lightning announced that Vladislav Namestnikov has been assigned to the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League Thursday.

Namestnikov was Tampa’s first round pick in this year’s NHL Entry Draft in Minnesota. He was selected 27th overall by the Lightning and was also chosen 20th overall in the 2010 CHL Import Draft by London.

Last season the 18 year-old Russian forward had 69 points and was second in scoring for the Knights.

The 5-foot-11, 171-pound forward was a healthy scratch for both of Tampa Bay’s last two pre-season games.

Namestnikov played for Russia at the 2008-09 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and also at the 2010 U-18 World Junior Championship.