Steven Stamkos: Building Momentum

When Steven Stamkos was drafted first overall by Tampa Bay last year, he knew he was in for a challenge. What he didn’t anticipate was that the challenges would be completely different from any he’d ever experienced.

“Things were not in my favour at the beginning of the year,” said Stamkos. “I had a coach who didn’t think I was ready for the NHL and I was playing just 4 to 5 minutes a night.”

Instead of succumbing to the pressure, he took control of the variables within his grasp like pushing the limits of his size and strength training. Even if he was playing just a few minutes each game, he prepped himself physically and mentally to make every minute count, and spent his time off the ice building bulk and power. As the season wore on, he started to make his presence felt.

“The second half I was able to turn it around and I’d like to think my hard work paid off.” Indeed it did.

He found his stride in that latter half and racked up 19 points in the last 20 games. He then went on to lead Team Canada to the finals of the World Championship with 11 points in nine games. He was also named a World Championship all-star alongside fellow star teammate Martin St. Louis.

Now, as he heads into the Tampa Bay training camp this weekend, he plans to build off that momentum. This summer Stamkos has been pushing to improve his power by using weights to strengthen his core and upper body, and working out with Gary Roberts, a veteran with a reputation of being one of the best-conditioned athletes in the game.

“I’m coming in more prepared,” he said. “I approached this summer more intensely than last summer.” The 8 lbs of new muscle he’s bringing to camp this year is one result of that dedication.

He’s also been doing non-traditional hockey training like pulling sleds and playing soccer, lacrosse and baseball which he says is great for conditioning, hand-eye coordination, stick handling and shooting.

Stamkos is undoubtedly gifted, but as his training shows, he enters every game with the mindset that talent alone won’t keep him there; it must be powered by hard work.

“I’m a firm believer that you earn what you get,” he said. “Where you are is based on what you put into it.”

And based at what Stamkos puts in day in and day out, he’ll be riding a big wave of momentum as he starts out season number two.