The answer to the question, “Who is Stamkos’ favorite player?” brings back a couple of different answer. Wendel Clark pops up. So does Steve Yzerman, which is kind of awkward now that Mr. Yzerman is his GM. However, there is one player that Stamkos mentions a few times - Joe Sakic.
Joe Sakic’s final NHL game was played on on November 28th, 2009. A back injury forced him to miss the Colorado Avalanche’s game the next day. Their opponent, the Tampa Bay Lightning. Sakic’s bad back, which would force him to retire at the end of the season, cost a young, 18-year-old rookie by the name of Steven Stamkos the chance to take the ice against the favorite player of his youth.