Despite missing virtually the entire NHL playoffs due to injury, Steven Stamkos fulfilled his dream of hoisting the Stanley Cup as captain of the Tampa Bay Lightning Monday night.
The former Sarnia Sting star joined his teammates in celebration, in full uniform, after the Lightning had shut out the Dallas Stars 2-0 to take the final in Game 6. It didn't seem to matter that there were no fans in attendance in the pandemic bubble at Rogers Place in Edmonton.
Number 91 had returned briefly to the lineup in Game 3 and remarkably was able to put his personal stamp on the series by scoring an unlikely vintage Stamkos goal. He lasted five shifts covering two minutes and 47 seconds of ice time before having to sit out the rest of the final due to a lower-body injury.
Stamkos was drafted first overall by Tampa in the 2008 NHL entry draft and was named team captain in March of 2014.
His junior team was quick to congratulate Stamkos and savour his accomplishment.
STEVEN STAMKOS IS A STANLEY CUP CHAMPION.
Congratulations to @RealStamkos91 and the @TBLightning! ⚡? pic.twitter.com/Ao2mq3dmDS— Sarnia Sting (@StingHockey) September 29, 2020
In January 2018, Stamkos became the first player in Sting history to have his number retired in a jersey-raising ceremony before a capacity crowd at Progressive Auto Sales Arena.
Despite injuries, Stamkos has recorded 832 points including 422 goals in 803 NHL games.