Welcome to Stamkos' world

Steve Stamkos, by all accounts, is a great kid. I have to tell you, I was skeptical when I started calling his family, friends, teachers, scouts and former coaches to fill me in. I had heard before Stamkos was kind-of a golden child; good student, humble, thoughtful and a great player. Surely, no one is that good. But more than a dozen interviews later, I'm convinced.

If character counts for anything, Stamkos, 18, is just what the Lightning is looking for as it prepares to make him the No. 1 overall pick of next month's draft. As Blue Jackets scout Andrew Shaw said in today's paper, "This is one of the most special kids I have ever come across, and I've been around the game for 20 years."

Shaw should know. He billeted Stamkos in Sarnia, where Stamkos played for two seasons as a junior and scored 100 goals in 124 games, and told stories about how Stamkos bonded with his foster kids and how he never refused a kid who came to the door asking for autographs.

Dave Turner, the athletic director at Brother Andre Catholic High School, from which Stamkos will graduate on time in the top 20 percent of his class, said Stamkos never even has been sent to the principal's office, "Unless (the principal) wanted an autograph."

So, read the story and I think you'll get a good feel for what this kid is about. I have so much material on Stamkos, much of it did not get into the paper. Here is some more:

- Joe Bowen is the Maple Leafs radio voice and has known the Stamkos family, which lives in Unionville, a suburb of the town of Markham near Toronto. He even plays softball with Stamkos' father Chris. Asked if there was anything more we should know about the kid that hasn't been written, Bowen told the story of how Chris' team of older players "beat the pants" off Stamkos' team of youngsters in a local softball league.

- Stamkos support system was overwhelming, from his parents, Chris and Lesley, to his community league coaches, especially a man named Paul Titanic, who coached Stamkos from ages 9-15. Stamkos said it was Titanic who first taught him to play a complete game and be responsible on defense. Chris and Lesley said Titanic fostered the right culture on his teams.

"We had a team of good people," Titanic said. "One thing that we did, myself and the manager of the team (Stephen Gaunce), we demanded the kids be respectful of everybody and everything involved in the game, to the referees, to their own teammates and coaches. That was huge for us, that they were respectful and unselfish."

Lesley couldn't say enough.

"Paul Titanic taught these kids at a very young age how to behave on and off the ice," she said. "We just sort of supported that and it seemed to compliment each other. We were both on the same page when it came to school work and hockey and how they handled themselves off the ice, respecting adults and respecting the players. We've been very fortunate."

Titanic put the credit right back on the parents. He also credited Stamkos for understanding what it takes.

"When you're the best of the best, and you're still behaving respectfully, and unselfishly, Steven was the lead guy with that," Titanic said.

- Funny story about Stamkos' grandmother Mary Walker, who, with husband, Joe, used to have a place in Seffner. In fact, when Stamkos was 2, he made his only trip to Florida to see his grandparents (the parents of Lesley) and the family made a stop at St. Pete Beach, which is where the baby picture of Stamkos that ran in today's paper was taken.

Anyway, Mary and Joe eventually sold their place in Seffner. Mary, Lesley said, is a huge hockey fan and bought the OHL television package to make sure she saw all of Stamkos' games for Sarnia. Lesley said when Mary heard her grandson likely would be drafted by the Lightning, "She was quite upset that she sold her place."

- Stamkos is so respectful that when I asked him what he preferred, Steve or Steven, he left it up to me. So, here was the calculation. His parents always have call him Steven. His buddies and teammates, he said, always call him Steve. Since I'll be seeing him more around the rink, I called him Steve.

- He wears No. 91 because 19 already was taken when he got to Sarnia. He chose 19 originally because he likes Joe Sakic. He said he likely will stick with 91 in Tampa if he makes the team. Good idea, considering some of the raw feelings about the trade of Brad Richards, who wore 19.

- Here are some words to live by from Stamkos:

On handling the hype: "That's one of the major things that can help you  be successful in life is if you don't get caught up in all the media attention and, in my particular case, the rankings coming out and stuff like that. Just stay focused on my game and try to help the team win."

On finishing high school: "That was very important. Once again my parents are pretty strict on the education part of it. And when it came to Sarnia, that was an organization that took schooling very important. There were consequences if you weren't passing your classes. It resulted in less ice time or missing a game or a practice, something of that magnitude. So, in my whole career, education has been very important to me."

On the web site the Lightning has set up touting his coming: "I thought it was pretty funny at first. I actually didn't think they were the ones who put it up. I thought it was just a web site some fans had put together. But once I realized Tampa had put it up, I thought it was pretty cool. It's great to see what they're doing to get fans excited, and I hope they end up taking me."

On who is going to the draft in Ottawa: "I got a whole bunch of people. I think my family ordered 100 tickets; tons of family, tons of buddies and friends. It's going to be a great experience."

On his expectations: "Well, obviously, my main goal right now is to, hopefully, play in the National Hockey League. Like you said, anything can happen between now and the draft. But if Tampa does select me, it would be a great honor for me and, hopefully, I can go in there and prove that I can play at the next level and, hopefully, stick with the team for the whole season as an 18-year-old."

It was a fun few days for me talking to Stamkos and his family and hearing the stories and learning a little bit about a kid whom the Lightning is counting on. Can't wait to see him on the ice.

            

Comments

[Lisa]

Welcome, Steven. Hope the Lightning do pick you, and that you will have a long, prosperous, successful and happy career here in Tampa Bay. Keep this attitude and you will do great and the fans will love you.

[boltcc]

I saw him on the NHL network the other nite, they had brought him in to comment on the OHL playoffs ( I think ) and he was very polite and respectful of everyone. He looks like he's got his head on straight even all the extreme media attention he gets in Canada. He is definatley someone special you can tell..!

[wahls]

I can't wait for draft day to come so this can all become official. Steven, I hope you like the beach and warm weather because you will hopefully be seeing a lot more of it soon. Be sure to pack your sunscreen, shorts and flip flops (and remember, don't feed the sea gulls!).

I know I can't wait to get my Stamkos jersey (stick with number 91 Steven, with all of the drama around Brad, it would probably be best to start on a clean slate).

[boltflasher]

Let's hope this is the beginning of a new regime and the beginning of an improved scouting dept and drafting by this organization. Were you aware that the Red Wings have made the playoffs for 17 consecutive seasons and here's the drafting makeup of this team:
"The Wings? The highest they've drafted in the last 15 years was 19th overall in 2005 (Jakub Kindl). No problem. Tomas Holmstrom was taken 257th overall in 1994, Pavel Datsyuk, 171st overall in '98, Henrik Zetterberg, 210th overall in 1999, Tomas Kopecky, 38th overall in 2000, Jiri Hudler, 58th overall in '02, Valtteri Filppula, 95th overall in '02, and this year's playoff goal machine, Johan Franzen, 97th overall in '04.

Wings GM Ken Holland always credits assistant GM Jim Nill, director of amateur scouting Joe McDonnell and director of European scouting Hakan Anderson." Amazing...

You can read the rest at: http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/16226-Wings-drafting-and-developing-the-reason-they-remain-on-top.html

[Herb]

Great post Flasher.....meanwhile we have a stiff in Jake Geortzen(sp) to be proud of (dripping of sarcasm).

[bear]

Nailed it Flasher
Our drafting and development is beyond brutal. Wings 180.
We get Stamkos for being the laughing stock of hockey.

Feel sorry for the kid Lisa.

[ajax]

I saw an interview with the Detroit GM and he stated, we only draft guys who we feel can skate and then fit them into our system.
Do we have a system?
You look at the success of Detroit, New Jersey, even Ottawa and Dallas and you really see what "organization" means.
I have said it before, we were much more lucky to win the Cup, then we were organizationally strong (see moves, contracts, drafts, etc. made over past three years)
With all the upgrades we talk about, the position of GM is first and foremost the problem. Huge decision on buying out Feaster and looking at it as a long term investment.
Detroit exposed Pittsburghs Dmen as big and slow.
With all the forward power Pittsburgh has, it is another painful lesson, that without D that can hold their own, the forwards are helpless. Was Malkin a healthy scratch?
I hope Vinny and Marty don't spend the better parts of their career never knowing what it is like to play with solid D behind them.
Oh I forgot, it is our goalie that was the problem for three years. Yes, that was sarcasm.

[boltflasher]

Since the rumours have Len Barrie and Koules handling the draft, I think that speaks volumes on the status of Feaster. It appears he may remain as the GM for his remaining contract but only to handle the day to day chores. The real Team management will be the hockey guys Barrie and Koules. I hope they have had some chats with scouts other than the Lightning's...At least they should be more knowledgeable regarding player evaluation as opposed to JF.

On another note, the Pens GM is getting alot of credit for the turnaround in Pitt, but stop right there! How difficult was it to select Malkin, Crosby, Staal, Fleury, Orpik, and Ryan Whitney with those 1st round picks?...those were no-brainers for finishing last just like Lecavalier and now Stamkos. When he wins the Rookie of the year award next year, be careful about giving accolades to management...I could have made that decision...lets see what else they do and who else they draft...

[Another Joe]

Next season Stamkos will only be one piece to the puzzle if we turn it around. But getting him is a huge start!

[Casper]

Exposing Stammer to horsebleep, pukey coaching is one piece of the puzzle that needs to be subtracted.

Last thing this Kid needs is 30 shifts per game trying to bail for this sham of an Organization.

[ajax]

I saw where Crosby played 19 minutes last night. (Maybe their coach is an idiot? and needs the Torts book of coaching sent to him) It is almsot June and yes the blog is redundant, but these 26 minute nights for our top 3-4 players (every night) says a million words about how close we are. And I can see for miles and miles and miles!!!!
I predicted a slaughter for the Pens and it is only one game. But that said, Pittsburgh is probably about the 4th thru maybe 6th best team in the league, yet they are the beast of the East. And we are the worst team in the worst confernece. Yep, I am sold by Jaybird, we only need a few tweaks here and there. Step right up folks and see the greatest show on earth (Jay Feaster and his part time job of ringmaster at Barnum and Bailey's)

[ajax]

oops my bad, Crosby, Malkin and Hossa all played about 18 minutes each. What was that coach thinking????

[boltsfan]

So the losing team played their stars 18 minutes each, yet the winning team played Zetterberg and Datysuk 23 minutes each(with Lidstrom on even more).. nice unbiased argument there ajax.

[Not The Marlboro Man]

It would be suicidal for this team not to sign Steven Stamkos, he is the real thing and is as good if not better than Joe Thornton, Marian Hossa or maybe even Sidney Crosby. It will be nice to have another "protected" individual that will manage to get the all important "call" or "no call" depending on what your prospective is.
I for one agree with what Casper wrote. The coaching for the last 2 seasons has been putrid and filled with unexcusable bleeps. If Torts comes back, you can bet that he will get the knod only on a probationary basis....the first time he runs his yap I'll bet you he's gone, and I for one am not so sure that would be a bad thing. No one should have to skate thirty shifts a game on a consistant basis.

[Bolts Rule!!]

Argument? lol

Hardly, just another comment on ice time that was presented once again, in case you didn't hear it the first 1,564 times.

Fresh ideas are welcome but tremendously scarce so let us all pound out the same old crap so we can all stay entertained. What a sorry place this has become!

[bear]

Better than Crosby??..ntmm you have the wrong guy. That's next years draft.Tavares
Stamkos is no Crosby clone and is small so Thorton doesn't match either.

[wahls]

Actually, Tavares has been loosing some steam this last year. Right now Hedmen is surpassing him in some rankings. It will be interesting to see how Tavares handles next year and if he can bounce back. He seemed to loose interest and be a bit lazy at the end of the year. But that doesn't really matter, unless we are hoping to end up 30th again next year.

I think it is safe to say that Stamkos is the best prospect since Crosby, and who knows, maybe he will be just as good, if not better, in the future. Stamkos has pretty much been the undisputed #1 since the beginning of the season whereas last year, it took Kane about half the season to distance himself from the pack. If Stamkos can come in and score 20-25 goals, I think we can all be happy and consider it a success. If he has crap for wingers, 15 goals will be amazing.

I wouldn't hold my breathe on getting special treatment from the league the way Crosby does though. We have 2 superstars on our team right now in Vinny and Marty and it has never gotten us anything. Vinny gets his shoulder dislocated on an illegal hit and there isn't even a penalty called. Unfortunately I think Stammer is going to have to fight for himself and hope there is someone there to help protect him. He won't be getting anything handed to him on a silver platter ala Crosby, simply because he is going to be playing in Tampa Bay.

[Casper]

I find the numbers thing amusing. He prefers 91 due to his success in Juniors after acquiescence and in not emulating Sakic's 19.

Lecavalier honored Beliveau with #4, even looks like him on the ice, eerily enough. Stamkos may well resemble a young, very young Bobby Hull, so keep #9 as an option.

This is all well and good; I'm still steamed they gave Ritchie, Brian Bradley's 19.

If I were a young buck, I would prefer to emulate Cam Neely's #8, but we gave that to Matin Cibak so, hands off! lol

[bear]

wahls, Tavares and Stamkos are not remotely in the same barrel.

Tavares could have been playing in the league as a 17 year old but they held him back because his birthday was a couple of days late. He had nothing left to prove to anybody.

I think "its safe to say" you are wrong .

[mary]

I think he is very smart for not using #19, it's too soon. People are still bitter about that, maybe even some of the guys on the team (mainly Vinny). Plus 91 will look good on him

[wahls]

Wow ok then. No need to be rude. I was just stating my opinion, much like you stated yours. If you feel the need to call me wrong then please provide examples to prove so.

If Tavares was lazy because "he has nothing left to prove" then I don't want him on my team. Seems like he will be lazy whenever he feels like it if that was the case. He does have something left to prove, he hasn't been drafted yet. I don't know, maybe Tavares was hurt and no one knew, but after he got back from the WJC, he seemed to coast all the way through the playoffs (where he scored 3 goals in 15 games). I think, and you can take this with a grain of salt, that he has a lot of work to do if he wants to be the undisputed #1 next year (mainly his skating ability and his defensive awareness). Here is an example of someone who would take Hedmen before Tavares: http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/10103/2009_prospects_victor_hedman/

TSN asked scouts who they would pick this year if Tavares was allowed to be drafted, 7 out of the 10 had him behind Stamkos. Heck, three of them even put him at #3 behind Doughty. I guess that means "it is safe to say" you are right, Stamkos and Tavares aren't in the same barrel. http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=217783

But honestly, this argument is meaningless. Tavares cannot be drafted this year. You think Tavares is better than Stamkos and I don't. We can get back to this conversation in about 5 years and see who was right. Neither of us really know because neither have played a game in the NHL. For all we know, they could both be busts and Filatov will be the one who surpasses Crosby (Filatov will be someone else to watch, he is a bit small but he is very dynamic and will be exciting. We should all hope the Thrashers don't draft him to play center with Kovalchuk in the future). Unless you are hoping for another year of utter crap then the argument of who is better is useless.

Sorry to get so off topic, I personally cannot wait to see Stamkos in his first game as a Bolt. He will be something special to watch. Ten years ago it seems we made the right decision, lets hope it works out as well this time around too.

[Bear]

Obviously a tender spot Wahls.

With luck and continued great management we will have them both soon enough.

[wahls]

Not a tender spot, just stating why my opinion is the way it is.

Anyway, I guess Stammer was supposed to be down in Tampa this weekend to meet with Jay and see the area I think, but had to cancel his trip due to draft events in Detroit today. He got to talk to Crosby and meet some of the other players in the locker rooms. Some of the other draftees were there as well. He said hopefully after the combine he will be able to make a trip down here to check it out. I think it is all but official we will be seeing him in a Lightning sweater next year. http://www.canadaeast.com/rss/article/306952

[boltflasher]

If with 1st pick next year, the giant Chara-like Swede defenseman, Hedberg may be the better pick for the Bolts instead of another forward.

[tampa realtor]

Vinny Lecavalier has his house up for sale here in Tampa - what does this mean???? Tell me he's not leaving!!!

[GP]

What is the MLS #?

[boltsfan]

You mean Victor Hedman right, and I doubt we get the chance to pick him as he is either going first or second.

And yeah apparently he is moving because he wants to be closer to the beach. http://www.tampabays10.com/sports/article.aspx?storyid=79409

[Don in St. Pete]

It would be a stretch to expect Stamkos to step in and star right away. On the other hand Jokinen is a great passer and Stamkos likes to shoot the puck. I think he's more of a shooter than a playmaker but the same can be siad about Vinny. Feaster was a Manager not a hockey guy and it's taken him years to get up to speed. I think they've drafter better the pasy couple years since Bill Barber has come on board. The most noticable difference in this years team and the Cup winning team is our lack of skating ability. The bit players we had back then, although they weren't big scorers, were strong skaters and more responsible defensively. Martin Cibak, Ben Clymer, Tim Taylor, Eric Perrin, Ruslan Fedotenko even Chris Dingman. In defense of John Tortorella, Feaster hasn't given him the type of players needed to play his up-tempo high power forechecking game. Look for Feaster to sign a couple of strong 2 way forwards like Vrbata and Malone. A good veteran Defenseman like Hainsey would help with the young defensemen and provide a stopper against the opponents top line. Boyle and Ranger should not have to play against the oppositions top line every time out. I think Pickard is the real deal and could be a stopper defenseman if you paired him up with a strong veteran like Hainsey.

[Casper]

Pass on Vrbata, yes on Malone, pass on Hainsey, a waiver wire balancing act. Hint: Hainsey and his ilk can be had cheap once again---remember how close we were to re-acquiring Jassen Cullimore, only to watch the superlative job he did for the Stinking Panthers?
"Go big or stay at home" is the term ding-a-ling poker afficionato's use.

Couple of ex-Bruins out there could help: Boynton and Rolston.

Translation: Picking up a Ryan Malone & Brian Rolston up front and Nick Boynton anchoring a *well coached* (no caps) defense, and we may begin to see through the trees.

We need to show good faith to this Kid we have in goal, now. The tired Tortorella scheme of "You just go out and stand on your head every single game, and steal one every other time out, and we'll be okay." is *bull---garbage*!

[Casper]

Friend of mine just read that last blurp and asked, "How does the wannabe GM expect to pay this new talent?"

That's easy, move Boyle.

Plain and simple. We are a club in woeful disrepair, and we want to pay a premier mono-faceted, puck moving only, defenseman?
Back-wing is what I shall prefer to call him.

Avast that $6.7M and task other in-house defenders to move the puck (Yo Ranger, you can wake up, now!). The fact that we rely so heavily on DFB *retards the growth and development of all the other defensemen* (no caps) in their puck handling skills, and the blue line stinginess.

Of course the dream starts with a defense coach that'll deck or replace the Fonz. (Sheesh, with apologies to Mr. Winkler.)

[Don in St. Pete]

You might have something with Boynton, but we need to keep Boyle off the Ice against the other teams top lines. Athough Tort's considers him a top 2 d-man he has been manhandled at times by the opposing forwards in the corners. Haisey had 8 goals last year, though all on the power play, our power play could use some help on the backline after the departure of Richards. What happened to Kuba this year, it was like he disappeared. Rnager has great upside and hopefully will bounce back from the bad shoulder that limited him in the second half. Sorry Casper but I think you're wrong on Vrbata. He's finally learned how to play d and was a +7 on a woeful Phoenix team. Vrbata and Malone are both excellent penalty killers, sharpshooters and excel in the crucial moments of the game. Rolston would be a huge mistake he's even worse defensively than Vinny Prospal and he's 35 years old. I think it will take too much money to sign him anyway.

[boltsfan]

Hagman and Kelly will be the two top six forwards feaster will bring in, or that is what I reckon anyway. (it may be debatable whether they are top 6, but i doubt we get the Rolstons of the free agency)

[Don in St. Pete]

Hagman diappeared in the playoffs but that may be a direct result of his superb Centerman ( Jeff Halpern ) comin to Tampa Bay. I think Hagman would be a good pickup because he's younger like Malon and Vrbata but unlike Rolston. While we could use some veteran presence in the locker room, I am convinced it would be more receptive from a defenceman than a forward.

[Casper]

Agree about Rolston's limitations, but I like his upside and leadership. (Got this nagging itch he's at the similar age and speed as our old #25 when the Magic took hold.)

I'll have to give in to Vrbata, don't know much about the Lad. Stats say he's ready to blossom and enter the next tier, his agent/parasite knows this and will not come cheaply.

The roughly $3Mil is a push for Rolston or Vrbata, I'll trust you and go with the Phx Kid. Thanks, good pairing.

[Mike13]

Those guys would be good additions to the team, but we need to know what kind of budget OK is bringing to the player salaries. If it is around $40-million as rumored a few months ago, then we're sunk. There will be no new $3-million guys coming to Tampa.

[boltsfan]

3 million for Rolston is a pipe dream, try 5...

[Don in St. Pete]

I think we can get Vrbata and Malone for the $3Mil per season. Rolston would probably take $5mil but it was a good comparison to Andy, however he may want to go to a proven winner unless AK can convince him he's committed. Boynton would probably be a bargain $1.5mil whereas Hainsey sees his chance and will probably want $2.5mil or more. I hope they sign Gratton soon and I'd like to see him named Captain.

[boltsfan]

the C will go to Marty, Vinny or even Halpern and there are many more on that list before Gratton (or at least I hope)

[hyjyljyj]

Am I the only one thinking, "Um,...number 91?? A constant reminder of #91 Brad Richards, and all that drama? Here's a novel idea: Why not make a clean, fresh start with a real number...cut off the 1. Why not the classic 9? Or 8 or 6?"

Why not?