Steven Stamkos

Steven Stamkos
Born	(1990-02-07) February 7, 1990 Markham, ON, CAN
Height	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight	188 lb (85 kg; 13 st 6 lb)
Position	Centre
Shoots	Right
NHL team	Tampa Bay Lightning
National team	Canada
NHL draft	1st overall, 2008 Tampa Bay Lightning
Playing career	2008–present

Steven Stamkos (born February 7, 1990) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League (NHL). Stamkos was the first overall pick in the 2006 OHL Entry Draft, from the Markham Waxers of the OMHA. Playing with the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League, he scored 100 goals in just two years. After a successful OHL career, Stamkos was selected first overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning, following the team's heavy promotion of him via their Seen Stamkos? website.

Early life

Stamkos is of Macedonian and Scottish descent. He grew up in Unionville, Ontario and played for the Markham Waxers in the Eastern AAA League of the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA). Before being drafted in the OHL, Stamkos attended Central Park Public School and Brother Andre Catholic High School in Markham, Ontario. After being drafted by Sarnia he attended Northern Collegiate Institute & Vocational School.

Playing career

Tampa Bay Lightning

On July 29, 2008, Steven Stamkos signed a three-year, entry level contract with the Lightning, in which he could earn as much as $8.55 million in performance bonuses. In addition, Stamkos has a number of sponsorships, including an athlete’s agreement with Nike (terms not disclosed). He is featured in a web-only Nike commercial called Forget Everything which was released to coincide with his first game in his hometown of Unionville on October 28, 2008. He also has an endorsement deal with Tissot watches.

Stamkos played in his first NHL game in Prague, Czech Republic at the start of the 2008–09 NHL season. Although the Lightning fell to the New York Rangers 2-1 and were eventually swept in Prague, the series was a bad start to an excellent career. He recorded his first point — a secondary assist — in his eighth game, which was against his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs. Stamkos was glad to have done it at home: "I think it was louder than when the Leafs scored," he said. "It was great to have that fan support." He scored his first goal the next game against Ryan Miller of the Buffalo Sabres. On February 17, 2009, Stamkos succeeded in getting the first hat trick of his NHL career against the Chicago Blackhawks. Though Stamkos was heavily criticized for his lack of production during the first half of the season, in which he was limited to less than 10 minutes of ice time some games (largely due to a dispute among the head coach and upper management on how to approach the development of Steven in the NHL), he finished the season on an impressive run, with 19 points in his final 20 games. In his rookie season, Stamkos would total 23 goals, 23 assists, and finish with a dismal -13 plus/minus rating.

Prior to the 2009–10 NHL season, Stamkos spent the summer training extensively with former NHL player Gary Roberts, working on adding strength and endurance. Stamkos had a breakout season in 2009–10, being near the NHL lead in goal scoring for most of the season. Stamkos ended the season with 51 goals, tied for most in the NHL with Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins. He tied Crosby for the lead in goals on the last game of the season in the waning moments of the 3rd period with an empty net goal. For this achievement, Stamkos and Crosby shared the Rocket Richard Trophy, which is awarded to the player with the most goals in the regular season. Stamkos is the third youngest player to achieve this accomplishment, with only Wayne Gretzky and Jimmy Carson scoring 50 at a younger age. Stamkos had 51 goals in the 2009-2010 season, which is 5 more than he had points in the 2008-2009 season.

In January 2011, Stamkos was named by the NHL to play in the 2010-11 NHL All-Star Game. Tampa teammate Martin St. Louis was named an Alternate to Team Lidstrom. Stamkos was drafted 2nd Overall by Team Lidstrom, the announcement was made by teammate St. Louis. Stamkos participated in the fastest skater and hardest shot competitions at the 2011 NHL All-Star Superskills competition on Saturday, January 29. On February 6, Stamkos became the first player in the NHL to reach the 40 goal mark in the 2010-2011 season.

On April 23, 2011, Stamkos scored his first two career playoff goals, as well as recording an assist in an 8-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins.

On May 27, 2011, in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Boston Bruins, Stamkos took a slapshot from Johnny Boychuk to the face. The impact broke his nose and bloodied his face, and Stamkos left the ice momentarily before returning with a full face shield. The Lightning would go on to lose the game, and the Bruins advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals.

On June 22, 2011, Stamkos was named the cover athlete to the NHL 12 video game.

International play

Steven Stamkos

Medal record
Representing Canada
Men's ice hockey
World Junior Championships
	2008 Canada	Ice hockey
World Championship
	2009 Switzerland	Ice hockey

Stamkos has played for Canada in the 2008 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, where he helped the team win a gold medal. After his rookie season with the Lightning, Stamkos was named to Canada's roster for the 2009 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships. Stamkos continued to impress at the 2009 IIHF World Championships, scoring on his first career shift and meshing with fellow Lightning forward Martin St. Louis for 7 goals, 11 points and a plus-9 plus/minus rating en-route to a 2-1 loss to Russia in the finals.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2005−06	Markham Waxers	OMHA		66	105	92	197	87		—	—	—	—	—
2006−07	Sarnia Sting	OHL		63	42	50	92	56		4	3	3	6	0
2007−08	Sarnia Sting	OHL		61	58	47	105	88		9	11	0	11	20
2008–09	Tampa Bay Lightning	NHL		79	23	23	46	39		—	—	—	—	—
2009–10	Tampa Bay Lightning	NHL		82	51	44	95	36		—	—	—	—	—
2010–11	Tampa Bay Lightning	NHL		82	45	46	91	74		18	6	7	13	6
OHL totals				124	100	97	197	144		13	14	3	17	20
NHL totals				243	119	113	232	149		18	6	7	13	6

International

Year	Team	Comp		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2007	Canada U18	U18		6	2	8	10	8
2007	Canada U18	JWC		4	1	4	5	16
2008	Canada U20	WJC		7	1	5	6	4
2009	Canada	WC		9	7	4	11	6
2010	Canada	WC		5	2	1	3	10
Totals				31	13	22	35	44

Awards and achievements

Junior

Award	Year(s)
OHL Jack Ferguson Award	2006
OHL Bobby Smith Trophy	2007
OHL Second All-Rookie Team	2007
OHL Second All-Star Team	2008
CHL Top Draft Prospect Award	2008
CHL First All-Star Team	2008

NHL

Award	Year(s)
Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy	2010

International

Award	Year(s)
World U18 Championship All-Star Team	2007
World Championship All-Star Team	2009

See also

• List of NHL players with 50-goal seasons

External links

• Steven Stamkos career statistics at The Internet Hockey Database
• Steven Stamkos player profile at NHL.com
• Steven Stamkos player profile at TSN.ca
• Bio - File interview with Steven Stamkos