The No. 24 pick of the 2002 NHL Draft by Toronto, Steen played four seasons for the Maple Leafs before being traded to the Blues with defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo for forward Lee Stempniak on Nov. 28, 2008. He said there was obvious influence from his exposure to and closeness with NHL players when he was a kid.
"At a young age, you get to see what teams go through, what the high-profile players, the high-skill players, what they go through during the course of a season, and even from season to season," he said. "Even though I was very young, I think it's something that helps you in later stages, having a more developed understanding of what guys go through and what it takes to get to the top."
Alexander was frequently seen on the ice at the old Winnipeg Arena, skating with Jets players including Dale Hawerchuk, Phil Housley and Teemu Selanne after practice.
"I think I switched (my) favorite player according to who hung out with me that day," said Steen, who has four points (two goals, two assists) in 21 playoff games. "I changed all the time. There were so many great players, not just on the ice but great individuals off the ice that always allowed me to be around."
Thomas Steen, who was co-captain of the Jets for two seasons from 1989-91, remembers his son's early passion for hockey.