Steven Stamkos hi ( born February 7 , 1990 ) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player , an alternate captain for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League ( NHL ) . Stamkos was the first overall pick in the 2006 OHL Entry Draft , from the " Markham Waxers " of the OMHA . Playing with the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League , he scored 100 goals in just two years . After a successful OHL career , Stamkos was selected first overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning , following the team ' s heavy promotion of him via their " Seen Stamkos ? " website . Early life . Stamkos is of Macedonian and Scottish descent . He grew up in Unionville , Ontario , and played for the " Markham Waxers " in the Eastern AAA League of the Ontario Minor Hockey Association ( OMHA ) . During one of his seasons with the North York Canadiens , he was teammates with PK Subban . Before being drafted in the OHL , Stamkos attended Central Park Public School and Brother Andre Catholic High School in Markham , Ontario . After being drafted by Sarnia he attended Northern Collegiate Institute & Vocational School . Playing career . Tampa Bay Lightning . On July 29 , 2008 , Stamkos signed a three - year , entry level contract with the Lightning , in which he could earn as much as $ 8 . 55 million in performance bonuses . In addition , Stamkos has a number of sponsorships , including an athlete ’ s agreement with Nike ( terms not disclosed ) . He is featured in a web - only Nike commercial called " Forget Everything " which was released to coincide with his first game in his hometown of Unionville on October 28 , 2008 . He also has an endorsement deal with Tissot watches . Stamkos played in his first NHL game in Prague , Czech Republic , at the start of the 2008 – 09 NHL season . Although the Lightning fell to the New York Rangers 2 - 1 and were eventually swept in Prague , the series was a bad start to an excellent career . He recorded his first point — a secondary assist — in his eighth game , which was against his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs . Stamkos was glad to have done it at home : " " I think it was louder than when the Leafs scored , " " he said . " " It was great to have that fan support . " " He scored his first goal the next game against Ryan Miller of the Buffalo Sabres . On February 17 , 2009 , Stamkos succeeded in getting the first hat trick of his NHL career against the Chicago Blackhawks . Though Stamkos was heavily criticized for his lack of production during the first half of the season , in which he was limited to less than 10 minutes of ice time some games ( largely due to a dispute among the head coach and upper management on how to approach the development of Steven in the NHL ) , he finished the season on an impressive run , with 19 points in his final 20 games . In his rookie season , Stamkos would total 23 goals , 23 assists , and finish with a dismal - 13 plus / minus rating . Prior to the 2009 – 10 NHL season , Stamkos spent the summer training extensively with former NHL player Gary Roberts , working on adding strength and endurance . Stamkos had a breakout season in 2009 – 10 , being near the NHL lead in goal scoring for most of the season . Stamkos ended the season with 51 goals , tied for most in the NHL with Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins . He tied Crosby for the lead in goals on the last game of the season in the waning moments of the 3rd period with an empty net goal . For this achievement , Stamkos and Crosby shared the Rocket Richard Trophy , which is awarded to the player with the most goals in the regular season . Stamkos is the third youngest player to achieve this accomplishment , with only Wayne Gretzky and Jimmy Carson scoring 50 at a younger age . Stamkos had 51 goals in the 2009 – 10 season , which is 5 more than he had points in the 2008 – 09 season . In January 2011 , Stamkos was named by the NHL to play in the 2010 – 11 NHL All - Star Game . Tampa teammate Martin St . Louis was named an Alternate to Team Lidstrom . Stamkos was drafted 2nd Overall by Team Lidstrom , the announcement was made by teammate St . Louis . Stamkos participated in the fastest skater and hardest shot competitions at the 2011 NHL All - Star Superskills competition on Saturday , January 29 . On February 6 , Stamkos became the first player in the NHL to reach the 40 goal mark in the 2010 - 2011 season . On April 23 , 2011 , Stamkos scored his first two career playoff goals , as well as recording an assist in an 8 - 2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins . On May 27 , 2011 , in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Boston Bruins , Stamkos took a slapshot from Johnny Boychuk to the face . The impact broke his nose and bloodied his face , and Stamkos left the ice momentarily before returning with a full face shield . The Lightning would go on to lose the game , and the Bruins went on to win the Stanley Cup . On June 22 , 2011 , Stamkos was named the cover athlete to the NHL 12 video game . On July 19 2011 , Stamkos signed a 5 year , $ 37 . 5 million contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning . International play . Stamkos has played for Canada in the 2008 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships , where he helped the team win a gold medal . After his rookie season with the Lightning , Stamkos was named to Canada ' s roster for the 2009 Men ' s World Ice Hockey Championships . Stamkos continued to impress at the 2009 IIHF World Championships , scoring on his first career shift and meshing with fellow Lightning forward Martin St . Louis for 7 goals , 11 points and a plus - 9 plus / minus rating en - route to a 2 - 1 loss to Russia in the finals .