Steve Bégin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Steve Bégin
Born	(1978-06-14) June 14, 1978 (age 47) Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada
Height	5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight	195 lb (88 kg; 13 st 13 lb)
Position	Centre
Shot	Left
Played for	Calgary Flames Montreal Canadiens Dallas Stars Boston Bruins Nashville Predators
NHL Draft	40th overall, 1996 Calgary Flames
Playing career	1997–2013

Stéphan Bégin, born on June 14, 1978, is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played as a centre in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 13 seasons. The Calgary Flames picked him in the second round of the 1996 NHL Draft. He also played for the Montreal Canadiens, Dallas Stars, Boston Bruins, and Nashville Predators. After missing a season because of an injury, Bégin returned to play for the Flames in the 2012-13 season. Another injury later caused him to retire from the sport.

Bégin played junior hockey for the Val-d'Or Foreurs. His team won the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) championship in 1998. He also helped the Saint John Flames win the American Hockey League (AHL)'s Calder Cup in 2001. He was named the most valuable player of those playoffs, winning the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy. In the NHL, Bégin was known as a defensive player and a "grinder." He played over 500 games in his career.

About Stéphan Bégin

Stéphan Bégin grew up in Trois-Rivières, Quebec. His father, Gilles, raised him in a single-parent home. Gilles worked as a landscaper, and Steve often helped him until he was 18.

Family friends introduced Bégin to hockey when he was six years old. In his younger years, he was a strong offensive player. His father found it hard to pay for hockey, so Bégin often used second-hand equipment. Even then, he was confident he would make it to the NHL. As a young player, he took part in the 1992 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament.

Bégin moved to Val-d'Or, Quebec, to play junior hockey. There, he met his wife, Amélie. They have two daughters and now live in Montreal.

Stéphan Bégin's Hockey Journey

Junior Hockey Years

Bégin played three years for the Val-d'Or Foreurs in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). This was between 1995 and 1998. During this time, he scored 44 goals and had 117 points. He also spent 520 minutes in the penalty box over 157 games. The Calgary Flames chose him in the second round of the 1996 NHL Entry Draft. After the 1996–97 QMJHL season, the Flames sent Bégin to their AHL team, the Saint John Flames. He had two assists in four playoff games with them.

Bégin joined the Calgary Flames at the start of the 1997-98 season. He played his first NHL game on October 1, 1998, against the Detroit Red Wings. He played in five games before returning to Val-d'Or on October 28. The Foreurs then won the President's Cup as QMJHL champions.

That season, Bégin also played for the Canadian national team. He was an alternate captain for the junior team at the 1998 World Junior Hockey Championship. Canada finished eighth, and Bégin had no points but ten penalty minutes in seven games.

Time with the Calgary Flames

After junior hockey, Bégin played his first full professional season with Saint John in 1998-99. He had 20 points and 156 penalty minutes in 73 games. He scored his first professional goal on October 8, 1998. Bégin spent most of the next two seasons with Saint John. However, he also played some games with Calgary. He played 13 games for the Flames in 1999-2000. He scored his first NHL goal on February 12, 2000, against Sean Burke of the Phoenix Coyotes.

In 2000-01, he played four NHL games. He also had his best season in Saint John, with 28 points in 58 games. In the playoffs, Bégin led Saint John to win the Calder Cup. He scored 17 points in 19 games and was named the most valuable player of the playoffs. His 17 points were fourth best in the AHL, and his 10 goals were second.

Bégin played his first full NHL season in 2001-02. He played 53 games for the Flames, scoring 7 goals and 12 points. He also had 79 penalty minutes. In 2002-03, he had 4 goals and 4 assists in 50 games for Calgary. He left Calgary in a trade on July 3, 2003. Bégin was traded to the Buffalo Sabres along with Chris Drury. In return, the Flames received Rhett Warrener and Steve Reinprecht.

Playing for the Montreal Canadiens

Bégin as a member of the Boston Bruins.

Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff praised Bégin as a hard-working player. However, Bégin never played a game for the Sabres. He was picked by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2003 NHL Waiver Draft before the 2003–04 NHL season began. He played an energetic role for the Canadiens, scoring 10 goals in 52 games.

After playing with an injury in 2003-04, Bégin had shoulder surgery. This made him miss five months of playing time. When he returned, an NHL labor dispute meant he played for the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs in February 2005. He quickly became a leader for them. Bégin returned to the Canadiens in 2005-06. He set new personal bests with 11 goals, 23 points, and 113 penalty minutes. The Montreal media gave him the Jacques-Beauchamp Molson Trophy. This award goes to a Canadiens player who plays a "dominant role" without getting other honors.

Bégin faced more injuries, missing time due to rib and shoulder problems. He played only 52 games in 2006-07 and 44 games in 2007-08. He scored 18 points combined over those two seasons.

Time with Dallas, Boston, and Nashville

Bégin played less for the Canadiens in 2008-09. After being left out of five games in a row, he asked to be traded. The Canadiens traded him to the Dallas Stars on February 26, 2009. In return, they received defenseman Doug Janik. Stars' general manager Les Jackson said Bégin was a "gritty, honest player with a very strong work ethic." He added that Bégin was good at penalty killing. Bégin had 12 points in 62 games combined between Montreal and Dallas.

After leaving Dallas, Bégin signed a one-year contract with the Boston Bruins for the 2009-10 season. He played 77 games for Boston, his most in a single season, and had 14 points. He scored his first playoff goal in his 30th playoff game against the Philadelphia Flyers. The Bruins did not re-sign Bégin, who was 32. This was due to their salary limits and a desire for a younger team.

Bégin was a free agent when the 2010-11 season began. He signed a one-year contract with the Nashville Predators on October 22, 2010. However, he was sent to their AHL team, the Milwaukee Admirals. Bégin spent most of the season in Milwaukee and played only two games for Nashville.

Return to Calgary and Retirement

Bégin had a hip injury and was a free agent before the 2011-12 season. He signed a tryout offer with the Vancouver Canucks but was released before the season. Bob Hartley, coach of ZSC Lions in Switzerland, offered him a spot. Bégin was ready to delay his hip surgery to play in Switzerland. However, Hartley convinced him to have the surgery. His recovery meant Bégin could not play anywhere that season.

When Hartley became the Flames' head coach before the 2012-13 season, he offered Bégin a tryout. Bégin's hard work during training camp earned him a contract with the Flames. They believed he could be a good penalty killer and energy player. After two years away from the NHL, Bégin returned. He played his 500th game on February 24, 2013, against the Coyotes. He played 36 games for the Flames, scoring four goals and four assists. The Calgary chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association nominated him for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. This award is for dedication and perseverance.

Bégin signed a one-year AHL contract with the Abbotsford Heat for the 2013-14 season. However, he could not play due to another injury. Doctors told him he would miss the entire season. Bégin announced his retirement from professional hockey on January 16, 2014.

Playing Style

Bégin's father taught him that his best chance in hockey was as a defensive player. He also taught him the importance of a strong work ethic. Bégin looked up to players like Mario Tremblay and Guy Carbonneau. He played most of his career as a "grinder," meaning he was willing to play a physical game. This style often led to bruises and injuries, which he enjoyed.

When he returned to the Flames in 2013, he said, "What I missed the most was the pain of playing hockey. The pain from blocking shots, getting hit, hitting people... I missed it a lot." This attitude impressed his coaches. Bob Hartley said that players like Bégin are very valuable. He added, "Players with the commitment of Steve Bégin, I really believe that there's not enough (of them) in the NHL. I always admired the way that he played. I look at the spirit, the leadership. Pretty amazing what he's done for us."

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

Awards and Honours