Tampa Bay Lightning: Top Martin St. Louis moments

(Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images)
(Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images)
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Tampa Bay Lightning, Martin St. Louis
(Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Martin St.Louis is honored at Amalie Arena by Jeff Vinik and the Lightning

In 2014, a captain for captain trade occurred between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the New York Rangers. The Bolts received Ryan Callahan, and our captain was now a Ranger. Tension arose during the trade, and some fans seemed pretty upset that St.Louis was requesting a trade from Tampa Bay.

However, once St.Louis retired a season after the trade, Bolts Nation knew that Marty would always be a Bolt at heart. In 2016, the Lightning announced that number 26 will be the first jersey in franchise history to be retired.

Even though the ending may not be all that Tampa Bay and St.Louis expected, Tampa is always going to be special.

"“I hope they remember me for what I brought to the team,” St. Louis said in 2016. “It would probably be a better story if I finished my career there but … things happen sometimes and you have to make tough decisions. I loved Tampa. I loved playing there. It was just time to move on.”"

The ceremony was held on January 13, 2017, against the Columbus Blue Jackets, allowing former Lightning coach John Tortorella to attend the ceremony, before his current team took on the Bolts.

Tampa Bay Lightning, Martin St. Louis
(Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

This honor further proved St.Louis’ outstanding achievements as a player and may have even helped push him towards the Hall of Fame.

To be the first player in Lightning history to have their number retired demonstrates how important St.Louis was and is to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Jeff Vinik and the Lightning organization could have chosen Vincent Lecavalier‘s number to be retired first. While Lecavalier did have his number four retired a year later, it was Marty’s time to shine first.