Defenseman James Wisniewski doesn’t hide the agony of an ACL tear, or in this case, his fourth ACL tear.

“From a mental stand point it was tough,” said Wisniewski on Lightning Media Day. “If you wanna ask anybody, you could probably ask my wife how tough it was.”

Wisniewski had gone through three other ACL tears, but on a different knee. It didn’t make rehab any easier.

“I don’t think I was the easiest person to live with,” Wisniewski said with a laugh, but the injury itself is no laughing matter.

The first shift of his first game with Carolina last season, Wisniewski went down. His season was over in 47 seconds.

“I don’t think I’ve been this excited to play hockey in a long time,” said Wisniewski when asked about finally getting back on the ice.

With one year left on his contract the Hurricanes bought him out. Looking to join his seventh franchise nobody signed him in free agency, but Lightning GM Steve Yzerman saw skill that deserved a chance.

“He’s a right-hand shot defenseman, he plays on the power play, he can shoot the puck and that’s what really interests us,” said Yzerman about Wisniewski’s resume.

The 11-year veteran is in camp on a professional tryout. With four Bolt defenders involved in the World Cup of Hockey, it’s a tremendous chance for him to prove he is the depth they are looking for. In 2013-2014 with Columbus he tallied 51 points, with 44 assists.

“I’m gonna stick to my strengths,” said Wisniewski. “I’m not the kinda guy that is gonna go outside the box. I play a physical game. Block shots. I shoot the puck.”

The power play struggled last year ranked 28th out of 30 teams.

“I’ve been kinda known to have that situation and have that niche under my belt that I could come in here and try to help the team win any way possible,” said Wisniewski.

“He’s gonna play a lot (in training camp),” said Yzerman. “We’re gonna give him a very good chance to make this team.”

Wisniewski is already dreaming bigger than a roster spot.

“I’ve played this game long enough, it’s not about money,” said Wisniewski. “I wanna be etched in eternity here and have my name on the Stanley Cup.