Steven Stamkos facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Steven Stamkos
Stamkos with the Tampa Bay Lightning in February 2013
Born	(1990-02-07) February 7, 1990 (age 35) Markham, Ontario, Canada
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
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. He plays as a forward for the Nashville Predators in the National Hockey League (NHL). Stamkos was the very first player chosen in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning.

He has won the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy twice for scoring the most goals in the NHL (in 2010 and 2012). He was also named to the NHL Second All-Star Team twice (2011, 2012). Stamkos has played in seven NHL All-Star Games. People often call him "Stammer". He has scored more goals and points than any other player born in the 1990s. Stamkos was the captain when the Lightning won two Stanley Cup championships in a row (in 2020 and 2021). They also reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 2015 and 2022.

Early Life and Junior Hockey

Steven Stamkos grew up in Unionville, Ontario, Canada. His family has roots in Macedonia and Scotland. He played minor hockey for the Markham Waxers. He won eight championships in a row in minor hockey. He even led his team to the OHL Cup title in 2006. Stamkos also played in the 2003 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament.

After a great season with the Waxers, where he scored 197 points, Stamkos was the first player picked in the 2006 OHL Draft. He joined the Sarnia Sting. In his first junior season (2006–07), he scored 92 points. He was named to the OHL Second All-Rookie Team. Stamkos also won the Bobby Smith Trophy for being a great student off the ice.

The next season, he got even better, scoring 58 goals and 105 points. He was considered the top player for the upcoming NHL draft.

Professional Career (2008–present)

Playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning (2008–2024)

In 2008, the Tampa Bay Lightning chose Stamkos as the first overall pick in the NHL Draft. He signed a three-year contract with them. The Lightning promoted him a lot, even with a slogan "Seen Stamkos?".

Stamkos with the Lightning in March 2009, during his first NHL season.

Stamkos played his first NHL game on October 4, 2008. He scored his first NHL goal against the Buffalo Sabres. On February 17, 2009, he scored his first "hat-trick" (three goals in one game). He was the first rookie in Lightning history to do this. He finished his first season with 23 goals and 46 points.

In the summer of 2009, Stamkos trained hard to get stronger. This helped him have a huge season in 2009–10. He scored 10 goals in his first 11 games. He also had an 18-game point streak. On April 10, 2010, Stamkos scored his 50th goal of the season. He finished with 51 goals, tying Sidney Crosby for the most in the NHL. They shared the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy. Stamkos was the third-youngest player to score 50 goals in a season. He also had 44 assists, for a total of 95 points.

Stamkos (right) with Vincent Lecavalier in May 2011 during the Eastern Conference Finals.

In the 2010–11 season, Stamkos started very strong, scoring 19 goals in his first 19 games. He was even talked about possibly scoring 50 goals in 50 games, a rare feat. On December 20, 2010, he scored his 100th career goal. He was chosen to play in the 2011 National Hockey League All-Star Game. He finished the season with 45 goals and 91 points. The Lightning made the playoffs. Stamkos scored his first two playoff goals on April 23, 2011. The Lightning reached the Eastern Conference Finals. In Game 7, he took a hard shot to the face, breaking his nose. He returned to the game but the Lightning lost.

In July 2011, Stamkos signed a new five-year contract with the Lightning. He was also named an alternate captain. On March 13, 2012, he scored his 50th goal of the season again. He became the sixth player in NHL history to have two 50-goal seasons before turning 23. On April 7, 2012, Stamkos scored his 60th goal of the season. He was the first player since 2008 to reach 60 goals. He won his second Rocket Richard Trophy. He finished with a career-high 97 points.

During the 2012 NHL lockout, Stamkos trained in his hometown. The 2012–13 season was shorter due to the lockout. Stamkos was named the NHL's First Star of the Month for February 2013. On March 18, he scored his 200th career goal. He finished the season with 29 goals and 57 points.

Stamkos with the Lightning in March 2014.

On November 11, 2013, Stamkos suffered a serious injury, breaking his leg. He missed 45 games and the 2014 Winter Olympics. He returned on March 6, 2014. Before that game, he was named the new captain of the Lightning. He finished the shortened season with 25 goals and 40 points. The Lightning made the playoffs but lost in the first round.

In the 2014–15 season, Stamkos played all 82 games. He scored 43 goals and 72 points. The Lightning reached the Stanley Cup Finals but lost to the Chicago Blackhawks. Stamkos had 18 points in the playoffs.

On October 12, 2015, Stamkos got his 500th career NHL point. He was the third player in Lightning history to do so. On February 20, 2016, he scored his 300th career NHL goal. He was the third Lightning player to reach this mark. On April 2, 2016, Stamkos was diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome, a rare condition for hockey players. He had surgery and missed most of the playoffs. He tried to return for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals but the Lightning lost.

On June 29, 2016, Stamkos signed a big eight-year contract extension with the Lightning. On November 15, 2016, he tore a meniscus in his right knee. This injury kept him out for about four months. He did not return to play that season.

Stamkos with Ryan Callahan (left) and Henrik Sedin (right) during a game against the Vancouver Canucks, February 2018.

Stamkos returned for the 2017–18 season opener on October 6, 2017. On October 21, he set a new franchise record for most power-play goals. In the same game, he reached 600 career NHL points. On January 3, 2018, fans voted him to be the Atlantic Division captain for the 2018 National Hockey League All-Star Game. On March 3, he had a career-high five points in one game. He finished the season with 27 goals, a career-high 59 assists, and 86 points. The Lightning made it to the Eastern Conference Finals again but lost in seven games.

On December 10, 2018, Stamkos scored his 700th career NHL point. He was the first player from his draft class to reach this milestone. He also scored his ninth career hat-trick, setting a new Lightning record. On March 18, 2019, Stamkos scored his 384th goal, breaking the Lightning's all-time goal record. He finished the 2018–19 season with 45 goals and a career-high 98 points. The Lightning won the Presidents' Trophy as the best team in the regular season. However, they were surprisingly swept in the first round of the playoffs.

On November 16, 2019, Stamkos scored his 400th career NHL goal, becoming the first Lightning player to do so. On December 28, he reached 800 career NHL points. On January 9, 2020, he recorded his 400th career NHL assist. On February 29, Stamkos had surgery for a core muscle injury. He missed the rest of the regular season. The playoffs were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Stamkos returned for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals. He scored a goal on his first shot. The Lightning won the Stanley Cup, giving Stamkos his first championship!

In the 2020–21 season, Stamkos played 38 games. He got injured again near the end of the season. However, he played in every playoff game. The Lightning won the Stanley Cup again in 2021, making them back-to-back champions!

On April 26, 2022, Stamkos reached 100 points in a season for the first time in his career. On April 29, he scored his 10th career hat-trick. He finished the 2021–22 season with 42 goals, a career-high 64 assists, and 106 points. The Lightning made it to the Stanley Cup Finals for the third year in a row but lost to the Colorado Avalanche.

The 2022–23 season was full of milestones for Stamkos. On November 15, 2022, he recorded his 500th assist. On December 1, he reached 1,000 career points. He was the first player in Lightning history to do this. On January 18, 2023, Stamkos scored his 500th career goal. He was the first Lightning player and only the 47th player in NHL history to reach 500 goals. He also scored his 11th career hat-trick that night. On April 6, Stamkos played his 1,000th NHL game, all with the Lightning. At the 2023 NHL Awards, he won the Mark Messier Leadership Award.

On December 14, 2023, Stamkos scored four goals in one game for the first time. On December 31, he played his 1,038th game with the Lightning, passing Vincent Lecavalier for the most games played in franchise history. On January 25, 2024, he reached 1,100 career points. He finished the 2023–24 season with 40 goals and 81 points. The Lightning lost in the first round of the 2024 playoffs. Stamkos scored five goals in five games.

Joining the Nashville Predators (2024–present)

On July 1, 2024, Steven Stamkos left the Lightning after 16 years. He signed a four-year contract with the Nashville Predators. On October 28, 2024, he played his first game in Tampa Bay as a visitor. Lightning fans gave him a huge standing ovation and a video tribute. He even took a solo lap on the ice to thank the fans.

Player Profile

Steven Stamkos is known for his amazing goal-scoring and powerful shot. People often compare his shooting ability to Alexander Ovechkin's. He is especially good at shooting from the left circle, a spot often called his "office."

While he's famous for scoring, Stamkos is also a great playmaker. He's not afraid to play physically, helping out in all areas of the ice. Sidney Crosby once said Stamkos will "make you pay every time he gets a chance."

Stamkos is also praised for his leadership. Teammates and coaches say he leads by example, both on and off the ice. He won the Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2023 for his leadership and community work.

Stamkos was a "franchise player" for the Lightning. His arrival changed the team's future. He was a big part of their success and popularity in Tampa. He also supported the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa, encouraging fans to donate instead of giving him wedding gifts.

When Stamkos left the Lightning, his teammates and coaches talked about his huge impact. They said he built a great team culture and always welcomed new players. Connor McDavid said Stamkos "gave everything to that city."

Personal Life

On June 30, 2017, Steven Stamkos married his longtime girlfriend, Sandra Porzio. They have two sons and a daughter.

On January 12, 2018, the Sarnia Sting (his junior team) retired his jersey number 91. He was the first player in the Sting's history to have his jersey retired.

International Play

Medal record
Men's ice hockey
Representing  Canada
World Championship
Silver	2009 Switzerland
Canada Cup / World Cup
Gold	2016 Toronto
World Junior Championships
Gold	2008 Canada

Stamkos has played for Team Canada many times. He helped the junior team win a gold medal at the 2008 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.

He also played for the senior team at the 2009 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships, winning a silver medal. He scored seven goals and 11 points in that tournament. Stamkos was chosen for the 2014 Winter Olympics team but couldn't play due to a broken leg. He won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

Endorsements

Stamkos doing press at the NHL Store in New York City in September 2011.

After joining the NHL, Stamkos signed deals with companies like Nike and Tissot watches. He was even the cover athlete for the NHL 12 video game by EA Sports. He also appeared in commercials for Coca-Cola Zero and Sport Chek.

Career Statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Bold indicates led league

International

Awards and Honours

Records

Single season

• Most goals in a single month by a Tampa Bay Lightning player, 14 (2018–19)
• Most goals in a single season by a Tampa Bay Lightning player, 60 (2011–12)
• Most overtime goals in a single season by a Tampa Bay Lightning player, 6 (2011–12)
• Most power-play goals in a single season by a Tampa Bay Lightning player, 24 (2009–10)
• Most game-winning goals in a single season by a Tampa Bay Lightning player, 12 (2011–12)
• Most even-strength goals in a single season by a Tampa Bay Lightning player, 48 (2011–12)

Career, regular season

• Most career points by a Tampa Bay Lightning player, 1056
• Most career goals by a Tampa Bay Lightning player, 515
• Most career hat-tricks by a Tampa Bay Lightning player, 11
• Most power-play goals by a Tampa Bay Lightning player, 195
• Most game winning goals by a Tampa Bay Lightning player, 79
• Most even-strength goals by a Tampa Bay Lightning player, 315
• Most career regular season games with 4+ points by a Tampa Bay Lightning player, 17

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