From Last Word on Hockey, By Ariel Melendez
The Tampa Bay Lightning have announced that they will retire the number of Martin St. Louis when the Bolts host the Columbus Blue Jackets on January 13th.
https://twitter.com/mstlouis_26/status/784046333799923714
Lightning To Retire Martin St. Louis Number
St. Louis will become the first player to have his number retired by the Lightning. During 13 seasons with the team, he played 972 games while tallying 365 and 588 assists for a total of 953 points.
“As Marty enters his second year in retirement from the game, we believe this season is the time to hang his number from the rafters at AMALIE Arena.” Jeff Vinik, owner of the Lightning, said.
St. Louis was signed by the Calgary Flames as an undrafted free agent on February 18, 1988. He made his debut for the team the following season, but often found himself on the fourth line or a healthy scratch. He only appeared in 13 games that season before being sent to the team’s affiliate, the Saint John Flames.
The following season saw St. Louis earn a promotion to the Flames after scoring 26 points in 17 games for Saint John. He finished his first full season with 3 goals and 18 points in 56 games. Then general manager Al Coates was impressed with the forward and picked up his contract option for the 2000-2001 season. However, the organization fired Coates and his staff that summer.
The Flames would go on to expose St. Louis in the 2000 NHL Expansion Draft. The team would later buy out his contract after he went unselected. He would later sign with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Tampa Bay Lightning Career Highlights
St. Louis holds a number of records with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He ranks first in
- Points (953)
- Assists (588)
- Short-handed goals (28)
- Game Winning Goals (64)
- Hat Tricks (8, tied with Steven Stamkos)
- Power Play Points (300)
He also ranks second in goals scored with 365 and ranks second for games played with 972. His consecutive games played record of 499 from 2005-11 is also a franchise record.
St. Louis found himself playing in six NHL All-Star games and was a four-time All-NHL second team selection. He became the oldest player to win the Art Ross Trophy in 2012-13, his second time with the award. He also won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy three times.
St. Louis helped lead the team to their first and only Stanley Cup championship in 2003-04. That season would also see him win the Art Ross Trophy, the Hart Memorial Trophy and the Lester B. Pearson Award.
Trade To New York Rangers
St. Louis was traded to the New York Rangers on March 5, 2014 for Ryan Callahan and two draft picks. The forward would play two seasons with the team, recording 22 goals and 38 assists in 93 games.
He faced off against his old team for the first time on November 17 of that season. He scored the Rangers lone goal in a 5-1 loss. The goal gave him at least one against all 30 franchises in the NHL. He also recored his 1,000 point during the season, the sixth undrafted player to reach the milestone.
On July 2, 2015 St Louis announced his retirement from the NHL.
“I am happy I will get to share the evening with all the Lightning fans who have always supported me throughout my career – Tampa Bay will always feel like home to me.” St. Louis said about the honor. “Additionally, I recognize that none of this would have been possible without the help of many great teammates, trainers, and coaches and I thank them.”
Main Photo:
