Lauren Burg – Bolts By The Bay Contributor
With Martin St. Louis’ Number 26 being raised to the Amalie Arena rafters tonight, I find myself reflecting back on his marvelous career.
Tampa Bay Lightning
There are more than a few memories I have so picking a favorite will be difficult.
In saying that, I think the memory that sticks out most was Marty’s hustle and persistence which resulted in him scoring the game-winning goal in double overtime of Game Six during the 2004 Stanley Cup Final.
I was getting into the sport of hockey at that point and hadn’t even chosen a favorite team. I was watching the local team compete for hockey’s most coveted prize, a Stanley Cup.
Along the way, I saw one player determined to do anything–sacrifice anything–to lift his team to glory. That player was none other than Martin St. Louis. The scar he sports above his eye serves as a reminder of what he endured during that grueling run that culminated with him lifting Lord Stanley.
Undrafted and undersized, St. Louis finally got a chance to prove himself when he arrived in the Bay in 2000. He did that and more, winning the Hart Trophy twice, Art Ross once and Lady Byng trophy three times. He was also a six-time All-Star.
Yes, his departure in 2014 left some hurt feelings among some Tampa Bay Lightning fans. I won’t lie; I was hurt by the choice he made back then. However, like the scar he sports from the Stanley Cup finals nearly 13 years ago, time heals everything.
That’s why, like many Bolts fans, I’m ready to see the man that meant so much to the Tampa Bay Lightning organization for 14 years receive an honor he truly deserves.