Kevin Stevens is a former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. He was born on April 15, 1965, in Brockton, Massachusetts, and began his hockey career playing for his high school team. He then went on to play for Boston College, where he was a standout player and helped lead the team to the NCAA championship game in 1986.
Stevens was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the sixth round of the 1983 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut in the 1987-88 season and quickly established himself as a top player. He was known for his size, strength, and scoring ability, and he quickly became one of the most feared power forwards in the league.
Stevens played for the Penguins for eight seasons, from 1987 to 1995. During that time, he helped lead the team to two Stanley Cup championships, in 1991 and 1992. He was a key player on those teams, scoring crucial goals and providing a physical presence on the ice. He was also a three-time All-Star during his time with the Penguins.
In 1995, Stevens was traded to the Boston Bruins, where he played for two seasons. He then played for the Los Angeles Kings, the New York Rangers, and the Philadelphia Flyers before retiring in 2002. He finished his NHL career with 726 points (329 goals, 397 assists) in 874 games.
Stevens was known for his physical style of play, and he was often involved in fights and scrums on the ice. He was also known for his off-ice struggles with addiction, which he has been open about in interviews and in his autobiography, "The Lost Boy." Despite these struggles, Stevens was a beloved teammate and respected opponent throughout his career.
After retiring from hockey, Stevens worked as a coach and scout for various teams, including the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New York Rangers. He also founded the Kevin Stevens Foundation, which raises money for addiction treatment and recovery programs.
Overall, Kevin Stevens had a successful and memorable career in the NHL. He was a dominant player on the ice and a respected figure off the ice, and his contributions to the game will not be forgotten.
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