Photo by Linda Hamilton
Before buckling down for the game against the New Jersey Devils, congratulations are in order. Today is Steven Stamkos’ 23rd birthday. Last year Ryan Malone gave him a shaving cream pie to the face during morning skate as a present, no word if it was a re-gift again today.
Stamklos has accomplished a lot since coming to the NHL as an 18 year old. The Tampa Bay Lightning put together a list of his accomplishments. Some of the highlights are:
-Is the third-youngest player in NHL history to record 50 goals in a season behind Jimmy Carson and Wayne Gretzky.
- His 186 goals are more than any active player had accumulated before turning 23. Only three NHL players in history have more: Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Dale Hawerchuk.
- Stamkos leads the league in scoring with 163 goals since the start of the 2009-10 season.
- Became the youngest player to win the Rocket Richard Trophy in 2010. He is also one of four players in NHL history to have won the trophy more than once.
- Ranks first in franchise history with the most goals scored in a season. He also holds a team record for most power play goals in a season in 2009-10 with 24. Those 24 also lead the NHL in PPGs.
- He’s the only NHL player to record 40 or goals in each of the last 3 calendar years.
Whew. An impressive resume for someone so young. It is an absolute privilege to have seen Steven mature as a player and to get to see him on the ice regularly. The scary part? He’s only 23. Who knows what other records he’ll lay waste to as his career progresses.
Happy birthday, Stammer! Here’s hoping you get a win tonight as a gift.
