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Former Tampa Bay Lightning forward Martin St. Louis announced his retirement today after 16 seasons in the National Hockey League. After going undrafted as a young player, St. Louis went on to sign with the Calgary Flames before joining the Lightning and New York Rangers.
While many are still disappointed in the way he left the Lightning organization, there can be no denying the fact that St. Louis had a Hall-of-Fame-worthy career. He won a Stanley Cup with the Lightning in 2004, two Art Ross trophies as the league’s leading scorer, three Lady Byng trophies as the league’s most ‘gentlemanly’ player, a Hart Trophy as the league’s most valuable player, a Lester B. Pearson Award as the league’s most outstanding player, a World Cup of Hockey Championship, and an Olympic gold medal. And, to top it all off, he scored 1,033 points in 1,134 career NHL games.
After forcing his way out of Tampa Bay via trade during the 2013-14 season, St. Louis experienced two great runs with the Rangers. His team made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Final in 2013-14, and to the Eastern Conference Final this past season. Even so, St. Louis didn’t enjoy a ton of personal success on the ice. He scored 60 points in 93 career games with New York, and really tailed off as his last season wore on. Age catches up with everyone – even those who look like they could play forever.
The fact that it was the Lightning who knocked the Rangers out of the playoffs this year, and thus ended St. Louis’ playing career, is like something out of a storybook. His time in New York concluded with the young players he helped mentor, develop, and teach leaving him behind. He may not have been playing with the Lightning at the time, but his fingerprints were all over their run to the Stanley Cup Final. The players in that Lightning room this season undoubtedly learned a thing or two over the years from the greatest to ever wear Bolts blue.
In closing, I’d like to personally congratulate Marty St. Louis on what was a truly phenomenal career. Thanks for all the memories. I can't wait to see your Number-26 hanging from the rafters at Amalie Arena one day soon.
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