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J.P. Cote was one of the best defensive blueliners in the AHL for three seasons with the Syracuse Crunch.

(Scott Schild | Sschild@syracuse.com)

Syracuse, N.Y. — Popular Syracuse Crunch defenseman J.P. Cote said Tampa Bay has told him it will not re-sign him for the 2015-16 season.

Cote, on an NHL deal, will be an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

Cote, 33, was a heart-and-soul defenseman for Syracuse who helped build winning cultures in Norfolk and Syracuse. He was a key part of the Admirals' run to the Calder Cup title in 2011-12 and then played to same role as the Crunch reached the finals in 2012-13.

He skated for Syracuse the past three seasons, earning a reputation as one of the toughest stay-at-home defensemen in the AHL. He was also one of most active Crunch players in community work.

"The way I play the game and the way I approach it, any team I'm with I liked to get involved,'' he said Friday night. "The most fun with hockey is getting involved. I guess that's what hurts the most, to be told we don't need you to be part of this group anymore.

"That's being said, it is a business. I have nothing but good memories in Syracuse. I look back on it with pride.''

As happens with most veterans eventually, Cote was pushed aside by a youth movement. Tampa Bay brought in a core of good rookie blueliners to the Crunch last year — Jake Dotchin, Slater Koekkoek and Dylan Blujus — and this season highly regarded prospect Tony DeAngelo is expected to join that mix.

"They are taking a different approach,'' Cote said. "There's a lot of guys coming up. At the end of the day, you're exchangeable. It's a breakup. That's what it feels like.''

Cote said Tampa Bay assistant general manager Julien BriseBois told him of the decision a couple weeks ago. Still, the Lightning flew Cote from his home in Quebec to Amalie Arena for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup playoffs. It gave him a chance to spend a few more hours around his former Norfolk/Syracuse teammates, such as Tyler Johnson, Mike Angelidis and Ondrej Palat.

"It was nice to see the boys,'' Cote said. "It was just a nice thought that Julien came up with. It's a great organization. I would have wished to keep going, keep working hard for the organization, for the fans of Syracuse.''

Cote is skating with several NHL players in Quebec, including his good friend Antoine Vermette. Vermette was a member of the Chicago Blackhawks team that beat the Lightning in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Cote said he's looking forward to Vermette's Stanley Cup party.

"I know I'll be putting my little guy in the Cup,'' Cote said of his 5-month-old son.

The always optimistic Cote said his preference is to keep playing in North America, even if it's only on an AHL deal. While Cote's skating ability likely precludes a spot for him in the NHL, his savvy and leadership should earn make him a good candidate for another job in the minors.

"I've had some time to process it. I'm super-confident in the future,'' he said. "Hockey is a great game, I want to keep playing it. Looking forward, I'm not going to play for another 10 years. I will listen, if it's a good deal at the AHL level. If it's an NHL deal, even better.

"I'm hoping to go to a team that appreciates (my grit). Teams have shopping lists. I'm sure I'm not at the top of their lists. I know my role. I'm sure I can be helpful for the younger guys. I'm very optimistic for what's ahead. It's another adventure. I'm pumped for it.''

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