NEED TO KNOW

Steven Stamkos is once again doing what he does best; leading the Lightning on the scoresheet. After a rough patch earlier this season when rumours of a potential trade swirled daily in the media, the superstar forward has settled in and once again ramped up his production. He currently leads the Lightning with 31 goals and 24 assists for 55 points. His recent surge in scoring has helped the Lightning establish their spot in the tight Eastern Conference playoff race. After reaching the Stanley Cup Final last season, both Stamkos and his teammates would like nothing more than another shot at the ultimate prize in hockey. With Stamkos once again a top-10 goal scorer in the league, he and the Lightning look ready and poised for another productive playoff run.

BIOGRAPHY

• Born in Markham, ON, Canada on February 7, 1990
• Drafted in the 1st round, 1st overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning
• Was the Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard Trophy winner in 2009-10, for leading the NHL in goals (51) – an award he shared with Sidney Crosby
• Once again captured the ‘Rocket’ for leading the NHL in goals (60) in 2011-12
• Voted twice by his peers as a finalist for the Ted Lindsay Award (2010-11, 2011-12)
• Played his junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League for the Sarnia Sting (2006-2008)
• Has represented Canada on the international stage, including capturing a gold-medal at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships in 2008; and he recently was included in Team Canada’s initial roster announcement for the World Cup of Hockey 2016