Steven Stamkos Chats with RSE

(Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Stamkos File

Hometown: Markham, Ontario 

Age: 20

Height: 6-0 

Weight:  176 

Position: Center

Seasons in NHL: 2

Awards/honors: 2010 Rocket Richard winner with Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby for most goals in the 2009-10 season with 51.

Did you know: Stamkos is the third youngest player to score 50 goals, with only Wayne Gretzky and Jimmy Carson scoring 50 at a younger age. … His 51 goals in 2010 were five more than his entire point total (goals and assists) during his rookie season in 2008-09. … Stamkos helped Canada win the gold medal in the 2008 World Junior Championships.  … Stamkos played with Lightning teammate Martin St. Louis and helped Canada advance to the finals of the 2009 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championships, losing to Russia 2-1 in the finals.

Expectations are nothing new for the Lightning’s Steven Stamkos. Ever since his name was plastered across billboards around town asking if anyone had “Seen Stamkos” after he was the club’s top draft pick in 2008, the pressure has been on. And the 20-year-old phenom has delivered, becoming the third youngest player in NHL history to score 50 goals (actually 51) in his second season.

It’s reached a point when he goes consecutive games without scoring a goal people ask what’s wrong. But that’s also what makes Stamkos a special talent, his ability to handle those expectations and the media with a veteran’s ease.

Rocket Sports and Entertainment recently chatted with Stamkos about his love for the game and what he does to relax away from it on those rare off days without a game or practice.

Rocket Sports & Entertainment: What do you love most about hockey?

Steven Stamkos: The combination of the speed, the skill and the physicality. You get on the ice and just forget about everything else and go have fun. It’s the best game in the world.

RSE: What drew you to hockey as a kid, beside the fact that it’s a national culture and a way of life in Canada?

SS: Growing up there it’s hard not to play it because it’s what everyone talks about. It’s that feeling when you get on the ice and the cold air hits you in the face. It’s a team sport and something I fell in love with and was raised on.

RSE:  What’s your favorite thing to do away from hockey?

SS: Play golf. You get out there with friends and relax and forget about everything else. I’ve been playing about 12 years and I’m about an 8 handicap. I really love the sport.   

RSE: Favorite food?  

SS: Fettuccini Alfredo.

RSE: Favorite restaurant?

SS: Roy’s  

RSE: Favorite movie?

SS: Remember the Titans

RSE: Favorite TV show?

SS: Right now I’m really into Modern Family. I watch it with Nate Thompson on the plane. Every family they have on there is unique and funny. Sometimes you just shake your head about the stupidity of the show, but it’s funny.

RSE: Best thing about living in Tampa?

SS: The weather.

RSE: Everyone says that. Any other reasons?

SS: It’s a great place to live when you want to get away. If things aren’t going well you can go golfing or go to the beach. It a good place to live when you want to go places to get your mind off hockey.

RSE: Your idol growing up?

SS: My dad (Chris). He taught me a lot of valuable life lessons and got me interested in hockey.

RSE: Latest song on your iPod?

SS: The newest Rihanna song [Only Girl (In the World)]. It has a good beat to it.