Martin St-Louis is on the verge of making NHL history as he prepares for a significant milestone this Sunday. He will become one of the few coaches in league history to lead a team in a playoff game against an organization that retired his jersey number. Only Brian Sutter has previously accomplished this rare feat.
Significant Milestone
The Tampa Bay Lightning retired St-Louis’ number 26 in January 2017. At 50 years old, he will take the helm of the Montreal Canadiens in their playoff matchup against the Lightning, a team he once played for.
St-Louis’ Impressive Career
Martin St-Louis had a notable career with the Tampa Bay Lightning, playing 972 games from 2000 to 2014. His achievements include:
- Stanley Cup Champion (2004)
- Art Ross Trophy (2004 & 2013)
- Hart Trophy (2004)
- Ted Lindsay Award (2004)
- Lady Bing Memorial Trophy (2010, 2011 & 2013)
St-Louis is celebrated not only for his skills on the ice but also for his leadership qualities, which he now brings to coaching.
The Context of This Achievement
Brian Sutter, the only other coach to achieve this, led the Chicago Blackhawks against the St. Louis Blues in the 2001-2002 playoffs after his number 11 was retired. The Blackhawks were eliminated in five games by Sutter’s former team. This historical context adds excitement to St-Louis’ upcoming game.
Fans of the Canadiens are hopeful that history will not repeat itself as they support their team in this crucial playoff match.
