Martin St Louis

Born on June 18, 1975, in Laval, Quebec, Martin St. Louis overcame being undrafted to establish a successful NHL career spanning from 1998 to 2015. He played four seasons at the University of Vermont, where he amassed 267 points (91 goals, 176 assists) in 139 games, earning ECAC and NCAA All-American honors. Despite his collegiate success, his size (5’8″) led to him being overlooked in the NHL entry draft. He began his professional journey with the Cleveland Lumberjacks of the International Hockey League, playing well enough to earn his first NHL contract with the Calgary Flames in February 1998. He spent two seasons with the Flames, splitting time between Calgary and their AHL affiliate, the Saint John Flames.

St. Louis’s career took a significant turn when he signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning in July 2000. He quickly established himself as an everyday NHL player, scoring 40 points in his first season with the Lightning. The 2003-04 season marked a career highlight, as he led the NHL with 94 points (38 goals, 56 assists) and won the Art Ross Trophy, the Hart Memorial Trophy, and the Lester B. Pearson Award. That same season, he played a crucial role in leading the Tampa Bay Lightning to their first Stanley Cup championship, scoring the game-winning goal in double overtime of Game 6 against his former team, the Calgary Flames. He consistently performed at an elite level, recording over 90 points in several seasons, including a career-high 102 points in 2006-07. He was also a two-time Art Ross Trophy winner (2004, 2013) and a three-time recipient of the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (2010, 2011, 2013).

In March 2014, St. Louis was traded to the New York Rangers, where he further showcased his leadership during their run to the Stanley Cup Final. A poignant moment in his career occurred during the 2014 playoffs when, just two days after his mother’s passing, he scored a goal in Game 6 against the Pittsburgh Penguins, helping the Rangers advance. He retired in July 2015 with 1,033 points (391 goals, 642 assists) in 1,134 career games. His achievements extended to international play, winning a gold medal with Canada at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. In 2018, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, recognizing his remarkable career. Subsequently, St. Louis transitioned into coaching, and in February 2022, he was named interim head coach of the Montreal Canadiens, later becoming their permanent head coach.