Noted Caps killer, long-time Southeast Division foe, and all-around great person and hockey player, Martin St. Louis, had his #26 jersey retired by the Tampa Bay Lightning, Saturday night. St. Louis spent thirteen seasons in Tampa Bay, leading the franchise to its first Stanley Cup in 2004. St. Louis was named the league’s MVP once (2003-04) and led the league in scoring twice, taking home the Art Ross Trophy after the 2003–04 and 2012–13 seasons.
St. Louis retired after the 2014-15 NHL season with 391 career goals and 1,033 points.
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Before the #26 was raised to the rafters, St. Louis had an emotional tribute to his mother France who passed away May 8, 2014 in Montreal, Canada.
“There’s one person I wish could be here more than anything,” St. Louis said, breaking down into tears. “It’s my mom. She sat right up there in the Chase Club. We would always laugh because she would tell me how she wouldn’t even know I scored until the Louie, Louie song came on. She was my biggest my fan and cheerleader. She believed in me even when I didn’t. I know she’s with us tonight and clearly be proud and smiling down. As a kid, she’d always tell me, ‘Show them, Marty. Show them.’ Well, Mom, I think I did.”
The Tampa Bay Times’ Joe Smith shared even more details about the event as well.
The one-hour ceremony had laughs, with captain Steven Stamkos fondly recalling St. Louis’ “killer dance moves,” pregame handstands and reputation as a card shark. Former Lightning coach John Tortorella, now with the Blue Jackets, joked that St. Louis was a “pain in the (butt) to coach.”
There were gifts for St. Louis, including a Lightning blue Ford F-150 truck from the team.
The Lightning even played this inspirational video highlighting St. Louis’s career.
The 🐐. #MSL26 pic.twitter.com/XZxZZVk5Nm
— #MSL26 (@TBLightning) January 14, 2017
St. Louis became the first Lightning player to have his number retired. Owner Jeff Vinik called it “one of the most important days in the history of the franchise.”
Happy Marty St.Louis Day. Tonight we say goodbye to these weapons of mass destruction. pic.twitter.com/vdMGL3sAea
— Dimitri Filipovic (@DimFilipovic) January 13, 2017
“For those kids listening, have a dream. Go after it,” St. Louis said. “Believe in yourself and anything is possible.”
Congrats, Marty!
The first to go into the rafters. Thank you for everything, Marty. #MSL26 pic.twitter.com/LH0jiK4Mdy
— #MSL26 (@TBLightning) January 14, 2017
Additional reporting by Ian Oland.
