Early life

Stempniak lived near an ice hockey rink where he knew the owner would let him practice whenever he could. After high school, he wanted to continue to play hockey, but his parents wanted him to go to college. Stempniak went to the only college that showed interest in him, Dartmouth. At Dartmouth, he majored in economics. He became a top player for the Big Green ice hockey team and was named a two-time All American, as well as his team's captain.

Playing career

Stempniak was drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the fifth round, 148th overall, at the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He led the team in goals in his first full season (2006-07), with 27, despite being just 23 years of age. He and David Backes joined Jay McClement to form one of the NHL's youngest lines. On November 24, 2008, Stempniak was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Alexander Steen and Carlo Colaiacovo. Stempniak wore number 12 in Toronto.

On March 3, 2010, Stempniak was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes for Matt Jones and a fourth- and seventh-round draft pick 2010. Twelve days later, Stempniak was named the NHL’s Second Star of the Week, scoring five goals in three games, all in victories for the Coyotes. On April 1, 2010, Stempniak earned the NHL's Player of the Month honor for March after scoring 13 goals since the trade to Phoenix.

On August 30, 2010, Stempniak signed a two-year contract extension with the Coyotes.

On August 29, 2011, the Coyotes traded Stempniak to the Calgary Flames for Daymond Langkow. He went on to record 14 goals with 14 assists during 61 games in 2011-12. On June 29, 2012, Stempniak re-signed with the Flames on a two-year, $5 million deal. During the 2013-14 season, on March 5, 2014, Stempniak was dealt at the NHL trade deadline to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a third-round draft pick.

On July 19, 2014, Stempniak agreed to join his sixth NHL team, signing a one-year contract as a free agent with the New York Rangers. In the 2014-15 season, Stempniak was primarily used by the Rangers in a bottom six role, compiling nine goals and 18 points in 53 games before he was traded to the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for Carl Klingberg on March 1, 2015.

Stempniak scored the first playoff goal in Winnipeg since 1996 when he beat Anaheim's Frederik Andersen in the first period of Game 3 of the Western Conference Quarter Finals for a 1-0 Jets lead.

On September 16, 2015, Stempniak agreed to join the New Jersey Devils on a professional tryout. He was signed by the Devils to a one year contract worth $850,000 on October 3, 2015. In the 2015-16 season, Stempniak made a seamless transition to provide instant value to the Devils. In a scoring role, Stempniak was leading the Devils with 41 points in 63 games, having his best offensive season since 2010, before he was traded for a third consecutive season at the trade deadline to the Boston Bruins in exchange for a second round and fourth round pick on February 29, 2016.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2001-02	Dartmouth College	ECAC		32	12	9	21	8		—	—	—	—	—
2002-03	Dartmouth College	ECAC		34	21	28	49	32		—	—	—	—	—
2003-04	Dartmouth College	ECAC		34	16	22	38	42		—	—	—	—	—
2004-05	Dartmouth College	ECAC		35	14	29	43	34		—	—	—	—	—
2005-06	Peoria Rivermen	AHL		20	8	5	13	25		3	0	3	3	2
2005-06	St. Louis Blues	NHL		57	14	13	27	22		—	—	—	—	—
2006-07	St. Louis Blues	NHL		82	27	25	52	33		—	—	—	—	—
2007-08	St. Louis Blues	NHL		80	13	25	38	40		—	—	—	—	—
2008-09	St. Louis Blues	NHL		14	3	10	13	2		—	—	—	—	—
2008-09	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		61	11	20	31	31		—	—	—	—	—
2009-10	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		62	14	16	30	18		—	—	—	—	—
2009-10	Phoenix Coyotes	NHL		18	14	4	18	8		7	0	2	2	0
2010-11	Phoenix Coyotes	NHL		82	19	19	38	19		4	0	0	0	0
2011-12	Calgary Flames	NHL		61	14	14	28	16		—	—	—	—	—
2012-13	Calgary Flames	NHL		47	9	23	32	12		—	—	—	—	—
2013-14	Calgary Flames	NHL		52	8	15	23	28		—	—	—	—	—
2013-14	Pittsburgh Penguins	NHL		21	4	7	11	4		13	2	1	3	6
2014-15	New York Rangers	NHL		53	9	9	18	18		—	—	—	—	—
2014-15	Winnipeg Jets	NHL		18	6	4	10	2		4	1	0	1	0
2015-16	New Jersey Devils	NHL		63	16	25	41	34		—	—	—	—	—
2015-16	Boston Bruins	NHL		19	3	7	10	4		—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				790	184	236	420	291		28	3	3	6	6

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2007	United States	WC	5th		7	6	4	10	27
2008	United States	WC	6th		7	0	3	3	6
2009	United States	WC	4th		9	2	0	2	6
Senior totals					23	8	7	15	39

Awards and honors

Award	Year
All-ECAC Hockey Rookie Team	2001-02
All-ECAC Hockey First Team	2003-04
AHCA East First-Team All-American	2003-04
All-ECAC Hockey First Team	2004-05
AHCA East Second-Team All-American	2004-05

[ Source: Wikipedia ]