TTM Stats
- Sent: 4/7/2022 | Received: 5/9/2022 | 32 Days
- ’90 Upper Deck, ’91 Pro Set (2)
- Address: Pittsburgh Penguins Team Address (NHL Team Address Resource)
The Story of the Autograph
Kevin Stevens, one of the NHL’s most dominant power forwards of the late 1980s and early 1990s, built a reputation as a gritty, skilled player who could score goals and deliver punishing hits. His journey through hockey and life, marked by triumph and adversity, offers a compelling story of resilience and redemption.
Born on April 15, 1965, in Brockton, Massachusetts, Kevin Stevens grew up in a sports-loving family. He excelled at hockey from a young age and played high school hockey at Silver Lake Regional High School. His talent earned him a scholarship to Boston College, where he played collegiate hockey and attracted NHL scouts with his physical style and scoring touch.
In 1983, the Los Angeles Kings selected Stevens in the sixth round of the NHL Draft. However, he never played for the Kings. Instead, he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins, the team where he would make his mark.
Stevens joined the Penguins in the late 1980s, coinciding with the emergence of Mario Lemieux as one of the NHL’s greatest players. Playing on a line with Lemieux, Stevens became an offensive force. His best years came during the early 1990s when he played a crucial role in the Penguins’ back-to-back Stanley Cup victories in 1991 and 1992.
In the 1991-92 season, Stevens had a career-high 123 points (54 goals, 69 assists), making him one of the league’s top scorers. His blend of size, skill, and toughness was rare, and he earned a reputation as one of the best power forwards in the game. Stevens was named to the NHL First All-Star Team in both 1991 and 1992 and played in the NHL All-Star Game three times.
In the 1993 playoffs, Stevens suffered a devastating facial injury after colliding with New York Islanders defenseman Rich Pilon. The injury required extensive surgery and marked a turning point in his career. Although he returned to play, he was never quite the same player, and his production declined in the following seasons.
Stevens played for several teams after leaving the Penguins, including the Boston Bruins, Los Angeles Kings, Philadelphia Flyers, and New York Rangers. He retired in 2002 after coming back to the Penguins for the final two seasons of his career. He ended up with 726 points (329 goals, 397 assists) in 874 NHL games.
Unfortunately, Stevens struggled with addiction in the latter part of his career and after his retirement. His battle with substance abuse became public, and he faced legal issues. However, Stevens eventually sought help and dedicated himself to recovery.
In recent years, Stevens has become an advocate for addiction recovery. He founded the Power Forward Foundation, which helps those struggling with substance abuse. His openness about his challenges has inspired many, and he remains committed to helping others avoid the pitfalls he faced.
Stevens also reconnected with the Penguins organization, taking on roles in community outreach and player development. His journey from NHL stardom to personal struggles and back to a life of purpose serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of resilience and support.
Kevin Stevens’ legacy in hockey is that of a fierce competitor and one of the best power forwards of his era. His life story, marked by incredible highs and profound challenges, is a testament to perseverance. Stevens remains a beloved figure in Pittsburgh and a symbol of hope for those fighting addiction.
Through his work with the Power Forward Foundation and his continued involvement in hockey, Stevens has found a new purpose—helping others find their own path to recovery and success.
The Score on Kevin Stevens – 5.0
This is not a great return from Kevin. But that all comes down to the marker. It would have been hard enough to have a signature stick out on these. They are just filled with black – including the heavy black bar on the 1991 Pro Set cards. I’ll definitely try to get something from Kevin again in the future.
Thanks Mr. Stevens! I’m giving this return a 5 overall.
This is my second successful return from him. To see the other successful return, check out my post from September 2023.
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Information gathered using Wikipedia and Hockey Reference.