Career Timeline of Martin St. Louis: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Martin St. Louis built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Martin St. Louis is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player, currently the head coach of the Montreal Canadiens. Undrafted, he played 1,134 NHL games, amassing 391 goals and 1,033 points, primarily with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He won the Stanley Cup with Tampa Bay in 2004. St. Louis also played in Switzerland before retiring from the NHL in 2015 with the New York Rangers. Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018, he's celebrated as one of the best undrafted players ever. The Lightning retired his number 26 jersey in 2017.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1992: Played for the Hawkesbury Hawks

In 1992, St. Louis played one season of junior ice hockey with the Hawkesbury Hawks of the Central Junior Hockey League (CJHL).

1993: Freshman Season at University of Vermont

In 1993, during his freshman season at the University of Vermont, St. Louis had 51 points in 33 games and was named to the East Coast Athletic Conference's All-Rookie Team.

1994: Top Scorer in NCAA

During his sophomore season in 1994-95, St. Louis was among the top scorers in the NCAA, recording 71 points in 35 games.

1996: Interest from NHL Teams

In the summer of 1996, St. Louis garnered interest from NHL teams but chose to complete his final year of college eligibility.

1997: Signed with Cleveland Lumberjacks

After being released by the Ottawa Senators in 1997, St. Louis signed a two-year contract with the Cleveland Lumberjacks.

February 18, 1998: Signed with Calgary Flames

On February 18, 1998, the Calgary Flames signed St. Louis to a contract after his performance with the Cleveland Lumberjacks.

October 9, 1998: NHL Debut with Calgary Flames

On October 9, 1998, St. Louis made his NHL debut with the Calgary Flames against the San Jose Sharks.

1998: Joined the Calgary Flames

In 1998, Martin St. Louis began his NHL career with the Calgary Flames.

1999: Recalled to Calgary Flames

In 1999, St. Louis earned a recall to Calgary after scoring 26 points in 17 games with Saint John.

October 6, 2000: Made Debut with Tampa Bay Lightning

On October 6, 2000, St. Louis made his debut with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

November 22, 2000: Scored First Goal of the Season

On November 22, 2000, St. Louis scored his first goal of the season after struggling in the initial weeks.

2000: Contract Option Picked Up

In 2000, St. Louis' contract option was initially picked up, but later the team exposed him in the NHL Expansion Draft and bought out his contract.

2001: Led Tampa Bay Lightning in Goals

In the 2001-02 season, St. Louis was leading the Tampa Bay Lightning with 16 goals mid-season before his injury.

2002: Start of durable streak

From 2002 Martin St. Louis would miss only seven games from 2002 to 2012 due to his hockey passion and skill.

2002: Breakout Season

In the 2002-03 season, St. Louis had a breakout season finishing fourth in team scoring with 70 points.

January 30, 2003: Scored First Career Hat-Trick

On January 30, 2003, St. Louis scored his first career hat-trick in a game against the Carolina Hurricanes.

2004: Played for HC Lausanne

During the 2004-05 NHL lockout, St. Louis played for HC Lausanne of Switzerland's National League A.

2004: 2004 World Cup of Hockey

In 2004, Martin St. Louis joined Team Canada for the first time, appearing at the World Cup of Hockey. He led Canada to a 2–1 victory over the United States and won the tournament.

2005: Ironman streak begins

In 2005, Martin St. Louis began an "ironman" streak, playing in every game since that year. This streak would eventually reach 499 consecutive games, making it the third longest active streak in the NHL at the time.

2005: Signed Extension with Lightning

When the NHL resumed in 2005-06, St. Louis signed a six-year contract extension with the Lightning.

2006: 2006 Winter Olympics

In 2006, Martin St. Louis played in his first Olympic Games with Team Canada. The team struggled and finished in seventh place.

2006: Greatest Offensive Year

The 2006-07 season was St. Louis' greatest offensive year as he topped the 100-point plateau for the first time.

2008: 2008 World Championship

In 2008, Martin St. Louis played in the World Championships held in Canada. He scored ten points, and Canada won a silver medal after losing to Russia in overtime.

2009: First requested trade to the New York Rangers

In 2009, Martin St. Louis first requested a trade to the New York Rangers. He would eventually be traded there in 2014.

2009: 2009 World Championship

In 2009, Martin St. Louis led the World Championship tournament in scoring with 15 points. Canada lost to Russia in the final, earning a silver medal.

2010: Second Lady Byng Trophy

In 2010, Martin St. Louis achieved significant milestones, including winning the Lady Byng Trophy for the second time. He made his sixth All-Star Game appearance, was named to the second All-Star team for the third time, and finished second in league scoring with 99 points. He was also a finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy.

2010: Selected as a reserve for the 2010 Winter Olympics

In 2010, Martin St. Louis was selected as a reserve by Team Canada for the Winter Olympics.

December 2011: Ironman streak ends due to injury

In early December 2011, Martin St. Louis's "ironman" streak came to an end at 499 consecutive games after he was struck in the face by a shot during practice. Despite suffering facial and sinus fractures, he only missed five games.

2012: End of durable streak

In 2012 Martin St. Louis would end his durable streak only missing seven games from 2002 to 2012 due to his hockey passion and skill.

2012: Art Ross Trophy and All-Star Selection

In 2012, during the lockout-shortened 2012–13 season, St. Louis led the NHL with 43 assists and 60 points, earning him his second Art Ross Trophy as the league's leading scorer. He was also named a second team All-Star.

November 19, 2013: 1,000th NHL game

On November 19, 2013, Martin St. Louis played his 1,000th NHL game against the Los Angeles Kings. He is the 286th player in NHL history to reach this milestone and recorded an assist in the game.

January 2014: Olympic Snub and Trade Request

In January 2014, Martin St. Louis was initially left off Canada's Olympic roster, leading to a trade request from the Tampa Bay Lightning.

January 18, 2014: Career high four goals in a game

On January 18, 2014, Martin St. Louis set a career high and tied a Lightning franchise record by scoring four goals in a game against the San Jose Sharks.

February 6, 2014: Selected for 2014 Winter Olympics

On February 6, 2014, Martin St. Louis was selected to replace Steven Stamkos for the 2014 Winter Olympics. He went on to win a gold medal with Canada.

March 5, 2014: Trade to the New York Rangers

On March 5, 2014, Martin St. Louis was traded to the New York Rangers in exchange for Ryan Callahan, draft picks, and conditional picks.

2014: Named Alternate Captain for the Rangers

In 2014, Martin St. Louis returned to the New York Rangers for what would be his last NHL season and was named an alternate captain under Ryan McDonagh.

2014: Stanley Cup Finals run with the Rangers

In 2014, after the death of his mother, France, Martin St. Louis played a pivotal role in leading the New York Rangers to the Stanley Cup Finals, where they eventually lost to the Los Angeles Kings in five games.

July 2, 2015: Retirement from professional hockey

On July 2, 2015, Martin St. Louis formally announced his retirement from professional hockey after receiving other offers in free agency.

2015: 1,000th career point

In 2015, Martin St. Louis recorded a goal and an assist against the Philadelphia Flyers, reaching 1,000 points in his career. He became the sixth undrafted player in NHL history to achieve this milestone.

2015: Conditional draft picks exchange

In 2015, conditional draft picks from the trade that sent Martin St. Louis to the New York Rangers were exchanged. Both of the first-round draft picks acquired by the Lightning in this trade were eventually traded to the New York Islanders.

2017: Connections with Canadiens' Management

In 2017, Gorton, who had previously offered St. Louis a coaching role in the AHL, was now the Canadiens' executive vice president. Gorton recruited St. Louis to assist the team.

2017: Offered Hartford Wolf Pack Head Coach position

In 2017, Martin St. Louis was offered the position of head coach of the Hartford Wolf Pack, the AHL affiliate of the New York Rangers, but he declined.

January 21, 2019: Special teams consultant for Columbus Blue Jackets

On January 21, 2019, Martin St. Louis became the special teams consultant for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

2021: Joining the Canadiens amid a poor season

In 2021, St. Louis was recruited to assist the Montreal Canadiens during a historically poor 8–30–7 start to the 2021-22 season.

February 9, 2022: Interim Head Coach of Montreal Canadiens

On February 9, 2022, Martin St. Louis was named interim head coach of the Montreal Canadiens.

June 1, 2022: Permanent Head Coach of Montreal Canadiens

On June 1, 2022, Martin St. Louis was named the permanent head coach of the Montreal Canadiens, signing a three-year extension.

April 17, 2024: Contract extension with the Canadiens

On April 17, 2024, the Montreal Canadiens exercised a two-year option on Martin St. Louis' contract, extending it through the conclusion of the 2026–27 season.