Stephenson helped the Washington Capitals defeat the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2018 Stanley Cup Final. But less than two years later, he found himself playing for the team he'd helped defeat after being traded to Vegas on Dec. 3, 2019.
Given more opportunity with his new team, Stephenson responded with eight goals and 22 points in 41 games, more than he'd had in any full season with the Capitals.
Stephenson helped the Washington Capitals defeat the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2018 Stanley Cup Final. But less than two years later, he found himself playing for the team he'd helped defeat after being traded to Vegas on Dec. 3, 2019.
Given more opportunity with his new team, Stephenson responded with eight goals and 22 points in 41 games, more than he'd had in any full season with the Capitals.
Washington took its time with Stephenson after selecting him in the third round (No. 77) of the 2012 NHL Draft.
The Saskatoon native spent two more seasons with Regina in the Western Hockey League before signing with the Capitals on April 12, 2014, after finishing with 89 points (30 goals, 59 assists) in 69 games. He spent most of the next three seasons with Hershey in the American Hockey League, but did earn a nine-game call-up in 2015-16 and a four-game recall the following season.
The 6-foot, 203-pound forward stuck with the Capitals in 2017-18 and scored his first NHL goal on Oct. 26, 2017 against the Vancouver Canucks. He finished his first full season with 18 points (six goals, 12 assists) in 67 games, averaging 11:52 of ice time and helping the Capitals to their third straight Metropolitan Division title.
Stephenson also played in all 24 games of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs and had seven points (two goals, five assists) to help the Capitals win the Cup for the first time since entering the NHL in 1974.
NOTES & TRANSACTIONS
- WHL East Second All-Star Team (2014)
- Traded to Vegas by Washington for a 5th-round pick in 2021 NHL Draft, December 3, 2019.
