Scott Stevens

:For the weatherman, see Scott Stevens (weatherman).

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Scott Stevens (born April 1 1964, in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada) is a former professional ice hockey defenseman in the National Hockey League. He was the captain of the New Jersey Devils and is among the NHL's all-time leaders in games played (both in the regular season and in the Stanley Cup playoffs).

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April 1 - 1964 - Kitchener, Ontario - Canada - Ice hockey - Defenseman - National Hockey League - Captain - New Jersey Devils - Stanley Cup

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Stevens started out with the Washington Capitals in 1982, playing for nine seasons in D.C. and enjoying moderate individual and team success. The club housed one of the strongest defensive corps of the 1980s, and so Stevens was immersed in the defense-first ideology early on. Stevens played briefly for the St. Louis Blues, but was later sent to the Devils as compensation for the Blues signing of unrestricted free agent Brendan Shanahan. This decision, made by an arbitrator, would eventually be a catalyst for the first work stoppage involving NHL players by the owners in the 1994-1995 season.

Related Topics:
Washington Capitals - 1982 - St. Louis Blues - Brendan Shanahan - 1994-1995

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Stevens played the final 12 seasons of his NHL career for New Jersey. As captain and spiritual leader of the Devils, he won 3 Stanley Cup championships (in 1995, 2000, and 2003). It was also in New Jersey that Stevens gained notoriety for his punishing open-ice hits, some of which have rendered opponents unconscious. Notable victims of Scott Stevens hits over the years include Slava Kozlov, Eric Lindros, Ron Francis, and Paul Kariya.

Related Topics:
Stanley Cup - 1995 - 2000 - 2003 - Slava Kozlov - Eric Lindros - Ron Francis - Paul Kariya

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Winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Most Valuable Player in the 2000 playoffs, Stevens is widely considered to be a shoo-in in the Hockey Hall of Fame after the mandatory three year waiting period. He announced his retirement on September 6, 2005.

Related Topics:
Conn Smythe Trophy - Hockey Hall of Fame - September 6 - 2005

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