Steven Stamkos bids a formal farewell to the Tampa Bay Lightning

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Gabriel Sami
July 15, 2024 (2:11 PM)

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Following 16 years with the Tampa Bay Lightning, team captain Steven Stamkos has officially departed, saying his goodbyes to his former organization.

When the Tampa Bay Lightning selected Steven Stamkos as the first overall pick in the 2008 NHL Draft, they could not have imagined the immense success he would achieve. Over more than a decade, Stamkos captained the team and guided them to two Stanley Cup championships.

For reasons unknown, the team allowed their franchise star to depart in free agency, and now as he heads to the Nashville Predators, he has officially bid farewell.

«I wanted to be the one who lived up to the hype, who took the organization where it dreamt to go.»

Tampa Bay fans and neutral NHL supporters alike were utterly shocked by Stamkos' departure from the only team he's ever played for. In his farewell piece on The Players' Tribune, Stamkos reveals he felt just as stunned.

I never thought I'd have to do one of these. It doesn't quite feel real that I won't be a Bolt this fall. But over the past few weeks, I've had this really deep sense of how lucky I was to be one for 16 years. So I just want to share some memories, and say some thanks to everyone who has been a part of this journey.

Stamkos maintained unwavering consistency on and off the ice for over 15 years, appearing in 1,082 games and amassing 1,137 points. The organization and the city embraced him wholeheartedly, and they will undoubtedly feel his absence as much as he will miss them.

These past few weeks have been bittersweet. I never thought this day would come. I did everything I felt I could do to make it work, but sometimes things just happen. It didn't work. And I'd be lying if I said it wasn't heartbreaking. But my family and I, we're human, you know? Tampa is home. It's where our three kids were born it's where our memories are. It's always going to mean so much to us.

The Predators are scheduled to visit Tampa Bay on October 29th in the upcoming season, setting the stage for an emotional night as both sides brace for Stamkos's return. For now, he bids farewell to an extraordinary chapter.

Source: Hockey Patrol
Steven Stamkos officially says goodbye to the Tampa Bay Lightning

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JUILLET 15 \| 192 ANSWERS Steven Stamkos bids a formal farewell to the Tampa Bay Lightning Do you see Steven Stamkos finding success with the Nashville Predators?
Yes	124	64.6 %
No	68	35.4 %
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