A two-time Stanley Cup champion, Kevin Stevens (Pembroke, Mass.) spent over 15 seasons playing in the NHL. A dominant power forward, “Artie” as he is fondly known, has inspired many, not only through his remarkable comeback from a devastating facial injury in 1993, but also through the resilience and dedication he has shown in overcoming substance abuse and his subsequent advocacy for addiction awareness and support.
His esteemed NHL career included 10 campaigns competing for the Pittsburgh Penguins, including both to start and end his career. He also spent time with the Boston Bruins, Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers.
After playing 16 games with Pittsburgh in 1987-88 and 24 in 1988-89, he broke into the lineup full-time in 1989-90. The following season he contributed 86 points (40 goals, 46 assists) in 80 regular-season games and 33 points (17 goals, 16 assists) in 24 playoff games to help the Penguins to their first Stanley Cup title.
In playing an out-sized role in leading Pittsburgh to its second straight Stanley Cup, Stevens registered a career-high 123 points (54 goals, 69 assists) in 1991-92 as an alternate captain to set an NHL regular-season record for most points by an American-born player. A Hart trophy finalist that season, he finished second in the league overall in points, only behind teammate Mario Lemieux.
During the 1992-93 season, he had his second straight 100-point season, finishing the year with 111 points, including 55 goals, the most ever recorded by an American-born player. That record stood for 29 years before being eclipsed by Auston Matthews in 2022.
All total during his NHL career, Stevens amassed 726 points (329 goals, 397 assists) in 874 career regular-season games and added 106 points (46 goals, 60 assists) in 103 playoff contests.
Stevens represented the U.S. on the international stage on four occasions, including as a member of the 1988 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team. He also played in three IIHF Men’s World Championships (1987, 1990, 1996), helping Team USA to a bronze medal as captain in 1996.
Over his four-year career competing at Boston College (1983-87), Stevens helped the Eagles reach the NCAA tournament each season and recorded 170 points (71 goals, 99 assists) in 158 career games. The 1987 All-American and two-time captain was inducted into the Boston College Varsity Club Hall of Fame in 2021.
Since hanging up his skates in 2002, Stevens has worked for the Pittsburgh Penguins where today he serves as a special assignment scout with the organization.
Buoyed by his own experiences, Stevens created Power Forward in 2018, a non-profit organization that assists others struggling with addiction.