Derek Stepan is a former professional ice hockey player who played as a center for various teams in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was born on June 18, 1990, in Hastings, Minnesota, and began his hockey career at an early age. Stepan played for the Shattuck-St. Mary's School in Minnesota, where he was a standout player and helped his team win several championships.
In 2008, Stepan was drafted by the New York Rangers in the second round of the NHL Entry Draft. He played for the University of Wisconsin for two seasons before joining the Rangers in 2010. Stepan quickly established himself as a reliable center and became a key player for the Rangers. He played for the team for seven seasons, from 2010 to 2017, and helped them reach the Stanley Cup Finals in 2014.
In 2017, Stepan was traded to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for Anthony DeAngelo and a first-round draft pick. He played for the Coyotes for three seasons, from 2017 to 2020, and served as the team's alternate captain. Stepan was known for his leadership skills and was a respected figure in the Coyotes' locker room.
During his NHL career, Stepan played in 739 games and scored 167 goals and 312 assists for a total of 479 points. He was a consistent performer and was known for his ability to play in all situations, including on the power play and penalty kill. Stepan was also a reliable faceoff man and won over 50% of his faceoffs throughout his career.
In addition to his NHL career, Stepan also represented the United States in international competitions. He played for the US at the World Junior Championships in 2010 and 2011, winning a gold medal in 2010. Stepan also played for the US at the World Championships in 2014 and 2015.
In December 2020, Stepan was traded to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for a second-round draft pick. He played for the Senators for one season before announcing his retirement from professional hockey in September 2021. Stepan cited family reasons for his decision to retire and expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to play in the NHL.
Overall, Derek Stepan had a successful career in the NHL and was a respected player and leader on and off the ice. He will be remembered for his consistency, reliability, and dedication to the game of hockey.
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