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 1,033 points, primarily with the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he won the Stanley Cup in 2004. He also played for Calgary and the New York Rangers, and briefly in Switzerland. St. Louis, considered one of the best undrafted NHL players ever, was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018. His #26 jersey was retired by the Lightning in 2017.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1992: Hawkesbury Hawks Season

In 1992, St. Louis played one season of junior ice hockey with the Hawkesbury Hawks of the Central Junior Hockey League (CJHL) where he scored 37 goals and 87 points in just 31 games.

1993: Freshman Season

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

1994: Sophomore Season at Vermont

In 1994, during his sophomore season, St. Louis was among the top scorers in the NCAA with 71 points in 35 games.

1996: NCAA Tournament All-Star

In 1996, St. Louis was named an all-star at the NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament and scored the winning goal to reach the Frozen Four.

1996: Interest from NHL Teams

In the summer of 1996, St. Louis garnered interest from National Hockey League (NHL) teams.

1997: Final Year of College Eligibility

In 1996-97, St. Louis completed his final year of college eligibility, scoring 59 points in 36 games.

1997: Tryout with the Ottawa Senators

Prior to the 1997-98 NHL season, St. Louis was offered a tryout by the Ottawa Senators.

February 18, 1998: Signed with the Calgary Flames

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

October 9, 1998: NHL Debut

On October 9, 1998, St. Louis made his NHL debut against the San Jose Sharks as a member of the Calgary Flames.

1998: Began NHL Career

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

1999: Recall to Calgary

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

October 6, 2000: Debut with the Tampa Bay Lightning

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

November 22, 2000: First Goal of the Season

On November 22, 2000, St. Louis scored his first goal of the season after struggling initially and being out of the lineup at times.

2000: Contract Option Picked Up

In 2000, general manager Al Coates picked up St. Louis' contract option for the 2000-01 season.

2001: Leading Team in Goals

Midway through the 2001-02 season, St. Louis was leading the Tampa Bay Lightning with 16 goals.

2002: Breakout Season

In the 2002-03 season, St. Louis had a breakout season, finishing fourth in team scoring with 70 points and tying for the team lead with 33 goals and 37 assists.

January 30, 2003: First Career Hat-Trick

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

2003: NHL MVP Awards and Art Ross Trophy

In 2003, St. Louis was voted the recipient of the Lester B. Pearson Award and Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player and also won his first Art Ross Trophy as the NHL's leading scorer with 94 points.

2003: Art Ross Trophy

In the 2003-04 season, St. Louis captured the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL's leading scorer with 94 points (38 goals, 56 assists).

February 17, 2004: 100th Career Goal

On February 17, 2004, St. Louis scored his 100th career goal against the Philadelphia Flyers.

2004: Contract with HC Lausanne

During the 2004-05 NHL lockout, St. Louis signed a contract with HC Lausanne of Switzerland's National League A.

2004: World Cup of Hockey Victory

In 2004, Martin St. Louis joined Team Canada for the first time, appearing at the World Cup of Hockey. He led Canada to victory over the United States in the opening game, and Canada ultimately won the tournament.

2004: Stanley Cup Championship

In 2004, Martin St. Louis was a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning's Stanley Cup championship team.

2005: Began "Ironman" Streak

In 2005, Martin St. Louis began an "ironman" streak where he played every game for his team.

2005: Signed contract extension with Lightning

When the NHL resumed in 2005-06, St. Louis signed a six-year contract extension with the Lightning worth US$31.5 million.

2006: First Olympic Games

In 2006, Martin St. Louis played in his first Olympic Games, where Team Canada finished in seventh place.

2006: Greatest offensive year

In the 2006-07 season, St. Louis had his greatest offensive year, topping the 100-point plateau for the first time.

February 9, 2007: 500th Career Game

On February 9, 2007, St. Louis played in his 500th career game against the New York Rangers.

March 19, 2008: 500th Career Point

On March 19, 2008, St. Louis scored his 500th career point with a goal against the Buffalo Sabres.

2009: First Trade Request

In 2009, St. Louis first requested a trade to the New York Rangers.

2009: World Championships All-Star

In 2009, St. Louis was named a tournament all-star after leading the World Championships in scoring with 15 points, also earning a silver medal.

2009: Lady Byng Memorial Trophy

In 2009-10, St. Louis was voted the recipient of the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy as the NHL's most gentlemanly player.

2010: Second Lady Byng Trophy

In 2010, Martin St. Louis achieved several milestones. He won the Lady Byng Trophy for the second time, 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.

December 2011: End of "Ironman" Streak due to Injury

In December 2011, Martin St. Louis's "ironman" streak came to an end at 499 consecutive games when he was struck in the face by a shot during practice, resulting in facial and sinus fractures, causing him to miss five games.

2012: Art Ross and Lady Byng Trophies

In 2012, during the lockout-shortened 2012–13 season, Martin St. Louis led the NHL with 43 assists and 60 points, winning his second Art Ross Trophy. He was also named a second team All-Star and won his third Lady Byng Trophy.

2012: Led NHL in Assists

St. Louis led the NHL in assists during the 2012-2013 season.

November 19, 2013: Played 1,000th NHL Game

On November 19, 2013, Martin St. Louis played his 1,000th NHL game against the Los Angeles Kings, recording an assist. He became the 286th player in NHL history to reach the milestone and only the 16th undrafted player since 1969.

2013: Second Art Ross Trophy

In 2013, at age 37, St. Louis won his second Art Ross Trophy, becoming the oldest player to ever lead the NHL in scoring.

January 2014: Olympic Snub and Trade Request

In January 2014, Martin St. Louis was initially not included on Canada's Olympic team, leading to a trade request from Tampa Bay. He was later added to the team as an injury replacement.

January 18, 2014: Career High Four Goals

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 the injured Steven Stamkos for the 2014 Winter Olympics. He went on to win a gold medal with Canada.

March 5, 2014: Traded to New York Rangers

On March 5, 2014, Martin St. Louis was traded to the New York Rangers in exchange for Ryan Callahan, a 2015 first-round draft pick, a conditional 2014 second-round pick (which became a first-round pick) and a conditional 2015 seventh-round pick.

2014: Alternate Captain for the Rangers

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

2014: Olympic Gold Medal

In 2014, St. Louis was a member of Canada's gold medal-winning team at the Winter Games.

July 2, 2015: Retirement Announcement

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

2015: Reached 1,000 Career Points

In 2015, Martin St. Louis recorded a goal and an assist against the Philadelphia Flyers to reach 1,000 points in his career, becoming the sixth undrafted player in NHL history to do so. He also faced the Lightning in the Eastern Conference Final, which Tampa Bay won.

2015: End of NHL Career

In 2015, Martin St. Louis's NHL career ended with the New York Rangers. He played a total of 1,134 games, scoring 391 goals and 1,033 points.

October 6, 2016: Lightning to Retire St. Louis' Number 26

On October 6, 2016, the Lightning announced that they would retire Martin St. Louis' number 26, making him the first player in the organization's history to have his jersey retired.

January 13, 2017: Jersey Retirement Ceremony

On January 13, 2017, the Lightning held a ceremony to retire Martin St. Louis' number 26 when they hosted the Columbus Blue Jackets.

2017: Declined Hartford Wolf Pack Head Coach Position

In 2017, Martin St. Louis declined the position of head coach of the Hartford Wolf Pack to focus on his sons' youth hockey teams.

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.

February 9, 2022: Named Interim Head Coach of Montreal Canadiens

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

June 1, 2022: Named 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 with the team.

March 17, 2023: Inducted into Tampa Bay Lightning Hall of Fame

On March 17, 2023, Martin St. Louis was inducted into the Tampa Bay Lightning Hall of Fame as a member of its inaugural class.

April 17, 2024: Contract Extension with Canadiens

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