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With the NHL season just 9 days away, let’s take a look at the career of No. 9 for the Seattle Kraken: Chandler Stephenson. A left-handed shooting center, Stephenson was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, in 1994.
Listed at 6’ and 201 lbs., Stephenson is known as a highly skilled NHL’er with a high hockey IQ. Leadership is another trademark quality, which has made the Center a valuable asset to his teammates.
The Beginning
Stephenson spent the beginning of his Canadian Hockey League days as a member of the Regina Pats. His most productive season came in the 2013-2014 campaign, racking up 89 points — 39 goals and 59 assists — in 69 games played. That season also saw Stephenson contribute another 4 assists in the WHL playoffs.
The Washington Capitals selected Chandler Stephenson in the 3rd round of the 2012 NHL draft, making him the 77th overall pick.
His first assignment was with the AHL’s Hershey Bears, where he spent parts of four seasons during his initial run with the franchise. The 2015-2016 season was Stephenson’s most productive, racking up 7 goals and 21 assists, good for 28 points over 46 games played. He continued to prove to be a valuable asset to the team in the playoffs, where he was responsible for another 6 points.
The NHL
Chandler Stephenson’s first taste of the NHL came in that same 2015-2016 season, playing 9 games for the Washington Capitals. The next two seasons saw Stephenson play another 4 games for the Capitals and contribute his most productive season to date for the Hershey Bears.
It was the 2017-2018 campaign that saw Chandler Stephenson truly arrive in the NHL. Playing 67 games for the Capitals, where he was responsible for 18 points.
Stanley Cup #1
It was during the Capitals’ Stanley Cup Playoffs run where Stephenson proved he was ready for the bright lights.
In 24 games throughout the playoff run, Stephenson contributed another 7 points in the form of 2 goals and 5 assists en route to his first Stanley Cup.
Midway through the 2019-2020 season, the Washington Capitals traded Stephenson to the Las Vegas Golden Knights.
Heading West
Immediately realizing his value, the Las Vegas Golden Knights inked Chandler Stephenson to a 4-year, $11M contract.
He would end up finishing out his 4-year contract with the Golden Knights, serving as a vital piece to the franchise’s success.
The 2021-2022 season was an example of this, a season that saw a career high in goals, with Stephenson putting the puck in the net 21 times.
Stanley Cup #2
It was the 2022-2023 season that served as a high-water mark for Stephenson in Las Vegas.
He contributed an impressive 65 points, including 16 goals during the regular season. In that season’s Stanley Cup Playoffs, Stephenson was highly productive with 10 goals and 10 assists.
That season culminated with the Golden Knights hoisting the Stanley Cup, making Chandler Stephenson a two-time Stanley Cup champion.
Of note, Chandler Stephenson is only the 10th NHL’er to beat a team in the Stanley Cup Finals and then later win a Stanley Cup with that franchise.
The Kraken
At the conclusion of his contract with the Knights, Stephenson secured a long-term home in the NHL, signing with the Seattle Kraken for 7 years at $43.75M.
In his two seasons thus far with the Kraken, Stephenson has proved to be one of the team’s most reliable contributors, playing in 158 games. His two seasons in Seattle have resulted in 29 goals and 71 assists.
With nine days until the puck drops, Chandler Stephenson figures to play a vital role in helping the Seattle Kraken establish their identity and work their way back to the playoffs.
