Stepan's creative playmaking abilities have always been apparent.
The center burst onto the scene with the New York Rangers in 2010-11, but showcased himself along the way.
Stepan was a second-round pick (No. 51) by the Rangers in the 2008 NHL Draft out of powerhouse prep school Shattuck St. Mary's in Minnesota. He led the school to back-to-back national championships in 2007 and 2008 and scored 44 goals and 111 points in 60 games as a senior.
After he was drafted, Stepan, whose father, Brad, was drafted by the Rangers in 1985, attended the University of Wisconsin. In two years with the Badgers he combined for 21 goals and 87 points. As a sophomore Stepan tied for the NCAA lead with 42 assists and was second with 54 points. He also led the Western Collegiate Hockey Association in points, assists and power-play assists (22).
Serving as captain, Stepan helped the United States win a gold medal at the 2010 World Junior Championship. He was the tournament's leading scorer with 14 points (four goals) in seven games.
Stepan left Wisconsin after his sophomore season and signed with the Rangers on July 1, 2010.
In his NHL debut on Oct. 9, 2010, Stepan had a hat trick against Ryan Miller and the Buffalo Sabres, becoming the fourth player in NHL history to score three or more goals in his first game, joining Alex Smart (Montreal, 1942-43), Real Cloutier (Quebec, 1979-80) and Fabian Brunnstrom (Dallas, 2008-09).
Stepan was 13th in voting for the Calder Trophy, given to the NHL's top rookie, after finishing with 21 goals and 45 points. He's been a consistent offensive threat since while also playing a responsible defensive role.
Stepan put himself in Rangers lore during the 2014-15 season with two memorable moments.
On April 6, 2015, against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Stepan scored the tying goal with 27.5 seconds remaining in regulation, then scored in overtime, becoming the first player in franchise history to get a goal in the final minute of the third period and then score in OT since the NHL adopted the current overtime format in 1983-84.
During the 2015 playoffs, Stepan scored in overtime in Game 7 of the second round against the Washington Capitals, sending the Rangers to the Eastern Conference Final.
