Mike Stevens

Infobox Ice Hockey Player


image_size =
position = Left Wing
played_for = Vancouver Canucks
Boston Bruins
New York Islanders
Toronto Maple Leafs
shot = Left
height_ft = 5
height_in = 11
weight_lb = 195
nickname =
nationality = CAN
birth_date = December 30, 1965
birth_place = Kitchener, Ontario
career_start = 1984
career_end = 1990
draft = 58th overall
draft_year = 1984
draft_team = Vancouver Canucks

Mike Stevens (born December 30, 1965 in Kitchener, Ontario) is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 23 games in the National Hockey League. He is the younger brother of NHL superstar Scott Stevens, who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2007.

Stevens played his junior hockey with the Kitchener Rangers, the same team his brother Scott had suited up for, and was selected 58th overall in the 1984 NHL Entry Draft by the Vancouver Canucks. While still playing in Kitchener in 1984–85, he received a surprise six-game callup to the Canucks, recording three assists. However, he would have a difficult transition to pro hockey, struggling to produce in two seasons in Vancouver's farm system with the Fredericton Express of the American Hockey League. He did, however, make himself a physical presence, recording over 200 penalty minutes both years.

Prior to the 1986–87, Stevens was sold to the Boston Bruins. He broke through offensively in the AHL scoring 30 goals, and was called up to the Bruins for 7 games, recording an assist. However, he was released by the Bruins after the season and signed with the New York Islanders for the 1987–88 campaign. He would appear in 9 games for the Islanders, recording his first NHL goal.

By this time, Stevens was in his mid-20s and it was becoming apparent that he lacked the size and footspeed to play regularly in the NHL. However, he was highly valued at the minor-pro level for his grit and leadership, and carved out a niche for himself at that level. He played one final NHL game for the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1989–90, and also played in the minor-league systems of the New York Rangers and Calgary Flames during the mid-1990s. His best professional season came in 1992–93, when he recorded 92 points in 68 games for the Binghamton Rangers. In 12 seasons of minor-pro hockey, he recorded 2668 penalty minutes, an average of over 220 per year. He signed in Germany 1997, and spent seven solid seasons there before retiring in 2004.

Stevens appeared in 23 NHL games, recording 1 goal and 4 assists for 5 points.

References

*hockeydb|5178