Lee Stempniak

Lee Stempniak
Stempniak with the Boston Bruins in 2016
Born	(1983-02-04) February 4, 1983 (age 41) West Seneca, New York, U.S.
Height	5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight	190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb)
Position	Right wing
Shot	Right
Played for	St. Louis Blues Toronto Maple Leafs Phoenix Coyotes Calgary Flames Pittsburgh Penguins New York Rangers Winnipeg Jets New Jersey Devils Boston Bruins Carolina Hurricanes
National team	United States
NHL Draft	148th overall, 2003 St. Louis Blues
Playing career	2005–2019

Lee Edward Stempniak (born February 4, 1983) is an American former professional ice hockey forward who played in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the St. Louis Blues, Toronto Maple Leafs, Phoenix Coyotes, Calgary Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers, Winnipeg Jets, New Jersey Devils, Boston Bruins and Carolina Hurricanes.

Stempniak graduated from St. Francis High School in Athol Springs, New York, in 2001, and played his college hockey at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. A well-traveled and versatile forward, Stempniak has played for ten different teams in his NHL career, which is tied for the second-most in NHL history. On October 1, 2019 after 14 seasons in the NHL he announced his retirement. ^{[1] [2]}

Early life

Stempniak lived near an ice hockey rink where he knew the owner. The owner would let him practice whenever he could. After high school, he wanted to continue to play hockey, but his parents wanted him to go to college. Stempniak went to the only college that showed interest in him, Dartmouth. At Dartmouth, he majored in economics. He became a top player for the Big Green ice hockey team and was named a two-time All American, as well as his team's captain. ^[3]

Playing career

Stempniak as a member of the St. Louis Blues.

St. Louis Blues

Stempniak was drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the fifth round, 148th overall, at the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He led the team in goals in his first full season (2006–07), with 27, despite being just 23 years of age. He and David Backes joined Jay McClement to form one of the NHL's youngest lines.

Toronto Maple Leafs

On November 24, 2008, Stempniak was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Alexander Steen and Carlo Colaiacovo. Stempniak wore number 12 in Toronto. ^{[4] [5]}

Phoenix Coyotes

On March 3, 2010, Stempniak was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes for Matt Jones and a fourth- and seventh-round draft pick 2010. Twelve days later, Stempniak was named the NHL’s Second Star of the Week, scoring five goals in three games, all in victories for the Coyotes. ^[6] On April 1, 2010, Stempniak earned the NHL's Player of the Month honor for March after scoring 13 goals since the trade to Phoenix. ^[7]

On August 30, 2010, Stempniak signed a two-year contract extension with the Coyotes. ^[8]

Lee Stempniak prior to making his debut with the Flames in 2011.

Calgary Flames

On August 29, 2011, the Coyotes traded Stempniak to the Calgary Flames for Daymond Langkow. ^[9] He went on to record 14 goals with 14 assists during 61 games in 2011–12. On June 29, 2012, Stempniak re-signed with the Flames on a two-year, $5 million deal. ^[10]

Pittsburgh Penguins

During the 2013–14 season, on March 5, 2014, Stempniak was dealt at the NHL trade deadline to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a third-round draft pick. ^[11] In 21 games with the club, Stempniak recorded 11 points. He also had three points in 13 playoff games as the Penguins would lose in Round 2 against the New York Rangers.

New York Rangers

On July 19, 2014, Stempniak agreed to join his sixth NHL team, signing a one-year contract as a free agent with the New York Rangers. ^[12] In the 2014–15 season, Stempniak was primarily used by the Rangers in a bottom six role, compiling nine goals and 18 points in 53 games.

Winnipeg Jets

On March 1, 2015, Stempniak was traded to the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for Carl Klingberg. ^[13]

Stempniak with the Penguins in 2014

Stempniak scored the first playoff goal in Winnipeg since 1996 when he beat Anaheim's Frederik Andersen in the first period of Game 3 of the Western Conference Quarter Finals for a 1-0 Jets lead. ^[14]

New Jersey Devils

On September 16, 2015, Stempniak agreed to join the New Jersey Devils on a professional tryout. He was signed by the Devils to a one-year contract worth $850,000 on October 3, 2015. ^[15] In the 2015–16 season, Stempniak made a seamless transition to provide instant value to the Devils. In a scoring role, Stempniak was leading the Devils with 41 points in 63 games, having his best offensive season since 2010.

Boston Bruins

Stempniak was traded for a third consecutive season at the trade deadline to the Boston Bruins in exchange for a second-round and fourth-round pick on February 29, 2016. ^[16] Stempniak finished out the season scoring 10 points in 19 games.

Carolina Hurricanes

Unable to help the Bruins into the post-season, Stempniak familiarly approached the off-season as a free agent. Following a successful individual year, on July 1, 2016, Stempniak was promptly signed to a two-year contract to join his tenth NHL club, the Carolina Hurricanes. ^[17]

Return to Boston

Stempniak joined the Boston Bruins during the start of training camp, signing a Professional Tryout (PTO) contract on September 10, 2018. ^[18] Stempniak began the 2018–19 without a contract, however continued to train with the Bruins at times throughout the first months of the season. ^[19] While continuing informally with the team, Stempniak belatedly signed a professional try-out contract in the AHL to join affiliate, the Providence Bruins, on February 15, 2019. ^[20] After 4 games with Providence, and ahead of the NHL trade deadline, Stempniak signed a one-year, one-way contract with Boston on February 24, 2019. ^[21]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1998–99	Saint Francis High School	HSNY		16	16	16	32	—		—	—	—	—	—
1999–2000	Saint Francis High School	HSNY		—	—	—	—	—		—	—	—	—	—
1999–2000	Rochester Jr. Americans AAA	Midget		—	—	—	—	—		—	—	—	—	—
2000–01	Buffalo Lightning	OPJHL		48	34	41	85	36		—	—	—	—	—
2001–02	Dartmouth College	ECAC		32	12	9	21	8		—	—	—	—	—
2002–03	Dartmouth College	ECAC		34	21	28	49	32		—	—	—	—	—
2003–04	Dartmouth College	ECAC		34	16	22	38	42		—	—	—	—	—
2004–05	Dartmouth College	ECAC		35	14	29	43	34		—	—	—	—	—
2005–06	Peoria Rivermen	AHL		20	8	5	13	25		3	0	3	3	2
2005–06	St. Louis Blues	NHL		57	14	13	27	22		—	—	—	—	—
2006–07	St. Louis Blues	NHL		82	27	25	52	33		—	—	—	—	—
2007–08	St. Louis Blues	NHL		80	13	25	38	40		—	—	—	—	—
2008–09	St. Louis Blues	NHL		14	3	10	13	2		—	—	—	—	—
2008–09	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		61	11	20	31	31		—	—	—	—	—
2009–10	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		62	14	16	30	18		—	—	—	—	—
2009–10	Phoenix Coyotes	NHL		18	14	4	18	8		7	0	2	2	0
2010–11	Phoenix Coyotes	NHL		82	19	19	38	19		4	0	0	0	0
2011–12	Calgary Flames	NHL		61	14	14	28	16		—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	Calgary Flames	NHL		47	9	23	32	12		—	—	—	—	—
2013–14	Calgary Flames	NHL		52	8	15	23	28		—	—	—	—	—
2013–14	Pittsburgh Penguins	NHL		21	4	7	11	4		13	2	1	3	6
2014–15	New York Rangers	NHL		53	9	9	18	18		—	—	—	—	—
2014–15	Winnipeg Jets	NHL		18	6	4	10	2		4	1	0	1	0
2015–16	New Jersey Devils	NHL		63	16	25	41	34		—	—	—	—	—
2015–16	Boston Bruins	NHL		19	3	7	10	4		—	—	—	—	—
2016–17	Carolina Hurricanes	NHL		82	16	24	40	32		—	—	—	—	—
2017–18	Charlotte Checkers	AHL		1	0	0	0	0		—	—	—	—	—
2017–18	Carolina Hurricanes	NHL		37	3	6	9	4		—	—	—	—	—
2018–19	Providence Bruins	AHL		20	7	11	18	8		4	0	1	1	10
2018–19	Boston Bruins	NHL		2	0	0	0	0		—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				911	203	266	469	327		28	3	3	6	6

International

Year	Team	Event		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2007	United States	WC		7	6	4	10	27
2008	United States	WC		7	0	3	3	6
2009	United States	WC		9	2	0	2	6
Senior totals				23	8	7	15	39

Awards and honors

Award	Year
College
All-ECAC Hockey Rookie Team	2001–02
All-ECAC Hockey First Team	2003–04, 2004–05
AHCA East First-Team All-American	2003–04
AHCA East Second-Team All-American	2004–05

References

1. "Sports Log" . bostonglobe.com . Associated Press. 2019-10-01. Retrieved 2019-10-10.
2. Scott Burnside (2019-10-10). "Q&A: From his greatest teammates to all the trades, Lee Stempniak reflects on a career well-played" . The Athletic . Retrieved 2019-10-10.
3. "Central: Stempniak a smart addition to Blues' attack". nhl.com. Retrieved 2007-07-10.^{[ dead link ]}
4. "Leafs acquire winger Stempniak from Blues". tsn.ca. 2008-11-24. Archived from the original on 2008-12-10. Retrieved 2008-11-24.
5. "Leafs trade Steen, Colaiacovo". sportsnet.ca. 2008-11-24. Archived from the original on 2008-12-02. Retrieved 2008-11-24.
6. "Stempniak named NHL's second star of the Week". Phoenix Coyotes. 2010-03-15. Retrieved 2010-03-15.
7. "Stempniak, Howard and Henrik Sedin named NHL three stars of month". National Hockey League. 2010-04-01. Retrieved 2010-04-01.
8. "Coyotes re-sign Stempniak to two-year contract". Phoenix Coyotes. 2010-08-30. Retrieved 2010-08-30.
9. "Flames acquire Lee Stempniak". Calgary Flames. 2011-08-29. Retrieved 2011-08-29.
10. "Stempniak re-signs for 2 years, $5 million". Twitter. 2012-06-29. Retrieved 2012-06-29.
11. "Flames forward Stempniak headed to Pittsburgh". Calgary Herald . 2014-03-05. Retrieved 2014-03-05.
12. "Rangers agree to terms with Lee Stempniak". New York Rangers. 2014-07-19. Archived from the original on 2014-07-22. Retrieved 2014-07-19.
13. "Rangers trade Lee Stempniak to Jets for Carl Klingberg". National Hockey League. 2015-03-01. Retrieved 2015-03-01.
14. "Lee Stempniak scores first Stanley Cup playoff goal in Winnipeg since 1996 (Video)". Yahoo Sports . 2015-04-20. Retrieved 2015-10-04.
15. "Stempniak, Devils agree to terms on one-year contract". National Hockey League. 2015-10-03. Retrieved 2015-10-04.
16. "Boston Bruins announce trade deadline acquisitions". Boston Bruins. 2016-02-29. Retrieved 2016-02-29.
17. "Lee Stempniak agrees to terms with Hurricanes". Carolina Hurricanes. 2016-07-01. Retrieved 2016-07-01.
18. "Bruins' Lee Stempniak: Inks PTO". CBS Sports. 2018-09-10. Retrieved 2018-09-24.
19. "Bruins expected to make decision on KHL tryout Kovar soon". NBC Sports. 2018-12-01. Retrieved 2018-12-01.
20. Mark Divver (2019-02-15). "Lee Stempniak joins Providence roster". Twitter . Retrieved 2019-02-15.
21. "Bruins ink Stempniak to one-year deal". The Sports Network. 2019-02-24. Retrieved 2019-02-24.

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com , or  Eliteprospects.com , or  Hockey-Reference.com , or  The Internet Hockey Database