Steven Stamkos facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Steven Stamkos |
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Stamkos with the Tampa Bay Lightning in February 2013
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| Born | February 7, 1990 Markham, Ontario, Canada |
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| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) | ||
| Weight | 195 lb (88 kg; 13 st 13 lb) | ||
| Position | Forward | ||
| Shoots | Right | ||
| NHL team Former teams |
Nashville Predators Tampa Bay Lightning |
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| National team | .svg){kind=small} Canada |
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| NHL Draft | 1st overall, 2008 Tampa Bay Lightning |
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| Playing career | 2008–present | ||
Steven Stamkos (born February 7, 1990) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He is a centre for the Nashville Predators in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Tampa Bay Lightning chose him as the first overall pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
Stamkos became a star player for the Lightning. He holds the team record for the most goals and points. As captain, he led the team to win the Stanley Cup in 2020 and 2021. He also helped them reach the Stanley Cup Finals in 2015 and 2022.
He has won the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy twice for scoring the most goals in the NHL. His nickname is "Stammer." He has scored more goals and points than any other player born in the 1990s. He has been selected for seven NHL All-Star Games.
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Early Life and Junior Hockey
Stamkos grew up in Unionville, Ontario. He is of Macedonian and Scottish heritage. He started playing hockey at a young age and was very successful. He played for the Markham Waxers and won many local championships.
In 2006, the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) drafted him first overall. In his first season with the Sting, he scored 92 points. He also won the Bobby Smith Trophy for being the best student-athlete in the league. The next year, he scored 58 goals and had 105 points. He was named the top prospect for the upcoming NHL draft.
Professional Career
Tampa Bay Lightning (2008–2024)
Early Years and Rise to Stardom
The Tampa Bay Lightning selected Stamkos first overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. He signed his first contract with the team on July 29, 2008. His rookie season had a slow start, but he finished strong with 23 goals and 46 points.
In his second season (2009–10), Stamkos had a breakout year. He scored 51 goals, tying Sidney Crosby for the league lead. They both won the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy. Stamkos became the third-youngest player to score 50 goals in a season.
The next season, he scored 45 goals and helped the Lightning reach the Eastern Conference Finals. In the 2011–12 season, he scored an amazing 60 goals, winning his second Rocket Richard Trophy. He was the only player to score 60 goals in the 2010s.
Captaincy and Injuries
On November 11, 2013, Stamkos broke his right tibia (shin bone). The serious injury required surgery. He missed 45 games, including the 2014 Winter Olympics. When he returned, he was named the new captain of the Lightning.
In the 2014–15 season, he scored 43 goals and led the Lightning to the 2015 Stanley Cup Finals. They lost to the Chicago Blackhawks. In 2016, he had surgery for a blood clot condition called thoracic outlet syndrome. He returned for one game in the playoffs.
Another major injury happened in November 2016. Stamkos tore the meniscus in his right knee and missed most of the season. Despite these setbacks, he always worked hard to return to the ice.
Stanley Cup Championships
Stamkos had a healthy and successful 2017–18 season, recording 86 points. The Lightning had a fantastic 2018–19 season, winning the Presidents' Trophy for the best regular-season record. Stamkos scored a career-high 98 points. However, the team was upset in the first round of the playoffs.
In 2020, Stamkos had surgery for a core muscle injury and missed most of the playoffs. He made a dramatic return in Game 3 of the 2020 Stanley Cup Finals. He scored a goal on his first shot but could not play the rest of the series. The Lightning won the Stanley Cup, giving Stamkos his first championship.
The following year, Stamkos was healthy for the 2021 playoffs. He scored 18 points and helped the Lightning win their second straight Stanley Cup.
Later Years in Tampa
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In the 2021–22 season, Stamkos had his best statistical year. He scored 106 points for the first time in his career. He led the Lightning to a third straight Stanley Cup Finals, but they lost to the Colorado Avalanche.
During the 2022–23 season, Stamkos reached several major milestones. He scored his 500th career goal and recorded his 1,000th career point. He also played in his 1,000th NHL game. For his leadership, he won the Mark Messier Leadership Award.
On December 31, 2023, Stamkos became the player with the most games played in Lightning history. He finished his final season in Tampa with 40 goals. After the 2023–24 season, he and the Lightning could not agree on a new contract.
Nashville Predators (2024–present)
On July 1, 2024, Stamkos signed a four-year contract with the Nashville Predators. This ended his 16-year career with the Lightning. When he returned to Tampa as a visitor on October 28, 2024, the Lightning honored him with a video tribute. The fans gave him a standing ovation. He finished the 2024–25 season with 53 points.
Playing Style
Stamkos is famous for his powerful and accurate shot. He is especially dangerous on the power play, often scoring with a slapshot from the left side of the ice. This spot is sometimes called his "office," similar to fellow star Alexander Ovechkin.
Besides scoring, Stamkos is also a great playmaker and a strong leader. Teammates and coaches have praised his hard work and dedication. He was considered the face of the Lightning franchise for many years. He also supported charities in the Tampa Bay community.
International Play
| Medal record | ||
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| Men's ice hockey | ||
Representing  Canada |
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| World Championship | ||
| Silver | 2009 Switzerland | |
| Canada Cup / World Cup | ||
| Gold | 2016 Toronto | |
| World Junior Championships | ||
| Gold | 2008 Canada | |
Stamkos has represented Canada in many international tournaments. In 2008, he won a gold medal at the World Junior Championships. In 2009, he won a silver medal at the IIHF World Championship.
He was named to Canada's team for the 2014 Winter Olympics but could not play due to his broken leg. In 2016, he helped Canada win the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
Personal Life
Stamkos married his long-time girlfriend, Sandra Porzio, on June 30, 2017. They have two sons and a daughter.
On January 12, 2018, the Sarnia Sting retired his jersey number, 91. He was the first player in the team's history to receive this honor.
Career Statistics
Regular Season and Playoffs
Bold indicates led league
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
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| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 2005–06 | Markham Waxers AAA | ETA U16 | 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 | ||
| 2011–12 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 82 | 60 | 37 | 97 | 66 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2012–13 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 48 | 29 | 28 | 57 | 32 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2013–14 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 37 | 25 | 15 | 40 | 18 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | ||
| 2014–15 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 82 | 43 | 29 | 72 | 49 | 26 | 7 | 11 | 18 | 20 | ||
| 2015–16 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 77 | 36 | 28 | 64 | 38 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2016–17 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 17 | 9 | 11 | 20 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2017–18 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 78 | 27 | 59 | 86 | 72 | 17 | 7 | 9 | 16 | 4 | ||
| 2018–19 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 82 | 45 | 53 | 98 | 37 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | ||
| 2019–20 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 57 | 29 | 37 | 66 | 22 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2020–21 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 38 | 17 | 17 | 34 | 16 | 23 | 8 | 10 | 18 | 4 | ||
| 2021–22 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 81 | 42 | 64 | 106 | 36 | 23 | 11 | 8 | 19 | 25 | ||
| 2022–23 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 81 | 34 | 50 | 84 | 46 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 9 | ||
| 2023–24 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 79 | 40 | 41 | 81 | 34 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 2 | ||
| 2024–25 | Nashville Predators | NHL | 82 | 27 | 26 | 53 | 48 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 1,164 | 582 | 608 | 1,190 | 679 | 128 | 50 | 51 | 101 | 78 | ||||
Images for kids
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Stamkos as an alternate captain with the Tampa Bay Lightning in February 2012.
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Stamkos as captain of the Lightning in March 2014.
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Stamkos with Ryan Callahan (left) and Henrik Sedin (right) during a game in February 2018.
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Stamkos doing press at the NHL Store in New York City in September 2011.
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See also
- List of NHL players with 50-goal seasons
- List of NHL players with 500 goals
- List of NHL players with 100-point seasons
- List of NHL players with 1,000 points
