Lightning welcome Stamkos back with tribute video, lengthy ovation

Steven Stamkos was welcomed home on Monday.

The now-Nashville Predators forward returned to Amalie Arena, his home for his first 16 NHL seasons, with his new team on Monday night.

The Tampa Bay Lightning, who drafted Stamkos with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 NHL Draft and saw him captain the team to back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2020 and 2021, welcomed him back on social media during warmups.

Early in the game, during a break in the action, the Lightning played a tribute video for Stamkos, showing many highlights from his Lightning days including his first NHL goal and countless clutch scores throughout his career.

During his tenure, he was selected to seven NHL All-Star Games, won two Maurice Richard trophies and the 2022-23 Mark Messier Leadership Award.

Fans at the arena gave Stamkos a lengthy ovation after the video. Lightning players and head coach Jon Cooper also stood and applauded.

A clearly emotional Stamkos left the bench and skated to center ice to acknowledge the crowd before the game resumed.