With the offseason in full gear, some NHL players, coaches, and general managers gathered at Bridgestone Arena Monday night to honor the best of the best from the 2022-23′ season.
For Tampa Bay Lightning fans, a surprise was in store. Captain Steven Stamkos won the 2023 Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award. He’s the first Bolt ever to capture this award.
Hand selected by Messier himself, this honor goes to the player who exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team, on and off the ice and gives back to the community they live in.
The first overall pick in the 2008 NHL Draft, Stamkos has captained the Lightning since March of 2014. In his first full season at the helm, he guided the team to their first Stanley Cup Final appearance in 11 years. The team fell short to the Chicago Blackhawks, but that started a run of deep playoff runs in six of eight seasons from 2015 to 2022.
A two-time Stanley Cup champion, Stamkos is the franchise’s all-time leader in goals and points. He reached four significant milestones this past season, collecting 500 goals and 500 assists to go along with reaching 1,000 points. He culminated things by playing in his 1,000th game April 6 against the New York Islanders.
Off the ice, Stamkos is involved in the Tampa Bay community through his work with the Ronald McDonald House Charities. He’s donated lots of money via the Lightning’s player ticket initiative, which allows families to attend games. His goals and assists have raised nearly $200,000 to add to the total.
Stamkos has also been a part of many meet and greets with both Ronald McDonald House families and other nonprofits.
Congratulations to Steven Stamkos, winner of the 2022-23′ Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award!
