What Happened to Martin St. Louis?
Martin St. Louis is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player, renowned for his illustrious 16-season NHL career, primarily with the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he won the Stanley Cup in 2004 and numerous individual awards. Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018, he transitioned to coaching and is currently the head coach for the Montreal Canadiens, leading them to significant playoff contention by 2026.
Quick Answer
Martin St. Louis is currently the head coach of the Montreal Canadiens in the National Hockey League (NHL), a position he has held since February 2022. His contract was extended through the 2026-27 season in April 2024. As of May 2026, St. Louis has successfully guided the Canadiens out of a rebuilding phase, leading them to back-to-back playoff appearances and a crucial Game 7 in the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
Born in Laval, Quebec
Martin St. Louis was born in Laval, Quebec, Canada.
University of Vermont Collegiate Career
St. Louis played college hockey for the Vermont Catamounts, becoming the school's all-time leading scorer with 267 points and a three-time All-American.
Signed with Calgary Flames
After going undrafted in the NHL, St. Louis signed his first professional contract with the Calgary Flames.
Signed with Tampa Bay Lightning
St. Louis signed as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he would develop into a premier offensive player.
Stanley Cup Champion and Major Award Winner
St. Louis led the Tampa Bay Lightning to their first Stanley Cup championship. In the same year, he won the Hart Memorial Trophy, Art Ross Trophy, and Lester B. Pearson Award.
Announces Retirement from NHL
After 16 NHL seasons, Martin St. Louis announced his retirement from professional hockey, having played his final season with the New York Rangers.
Tampa Bay Lightning Retire His #26 Jersey
The Tampa Bay Lightning retired Martin St. Louis' number 26, making him the first player in franchise history to receive this honor.
Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame
Martin St. Louis was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, recognizing his exceptional playing career.
Named Interim Head Coach of Montreal Canadiens
St. Louis began his professional coaching career, taking over as interim head coach for the Montreal Canadiens.
Named Permanent Head Coach of Montreal Canadiens
After a successful interim period, Martin St. Louis was officially named the 32nd head coach in Montreal Canadiens franchise history, signing a three-year extension.
Canadiens Exercise Contract Option
The Montreal Canadiens exercised a two-year option on Martin St. Louis' contract, extending his tenure as head coach through the conclusion of the 2026-27 season.
Canadiens Secure Playoff Berth
Under St. Louis' coaching, the Montreal Canadiens secured their second consecutive playoff appearance, marking a significant step in the team's rebuild.
Coaches Canadiens in Crucial Game 7
Martin St. Louis coached the Montreal Canadiens in a pivotal Game 7 of their playoff series, emphasizing the team's focus on finding a way to win. This followed their first-round victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning and a second-round series against the Buffalo Sabres.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Martin St. Louis, born on June 18, 1975, carved out an extraordinary career in the NHL despite being undrafted, a testament to his skill and determination. After a standout collegiate career at the University of Vermont, where he became the school's all-time leading scorer, St. Louis signed with the Calgary Flames in 1998. His career truly blossomed after joining the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2000. He became a cornerstone of the franchise, leading them to a Stanley Cup championship in 2004, a season in which he also captured the Hart Memorial Trophy as league MVP, the Art Ross Trophy as the leading scorer, and the Lester B. Pearson Award (now Ted Lindsay Award) as the players' most outstanding player.
St. Louis continued to be one of the league's most prolific scorers, winning another Art Ross Trophy in 2013 and three Lady Byng Memorial Trophies for sportsmanship and skill. He represented Canada internationally, winning a gold medal at the 2004 World Cup of Hockey and the 2014 Sochi Olympics. He concluded his playing career with the New York Rangers in 2015, having amassed 1,033 points in 1,134 regular season games. His number 26 jersey was retired by the Lightning in 2017, and he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018 in his first year of eligibility.
Following his retirement, St. Louis transitioned into coaching, initially at the youth hockey level. On February 9, 2022, he was named interim head coach of the struggling Montreal Canadiens, marking his first professional coaching role. His impact was immediate, bringing a new offensive mindset and fostering significant player development. On June 1, 2022, the Canadiens officially named him their 32nd head coach, signing him to a three-year extension.
The Canadiens exercised a two-year option on St. Louis' contract on April 17, 2024, extending his tenure through the conclusion of the 2026-27 season. Under his guidance, the team has progressed significantly, moving past its rebuild phase. In the 2025-26 season, St. Louis led the Canadiens to a second consecutive playoff appearance, exceeding expectations and demonstrating his ability to connect with and develop young talent.
As of May 2026, St. Louis is at the heart of the Canadiens' playoff run. After defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round, the Canadiens are engaged in a second-round series against the Buffalo Sabres. On May 18, 2026, the Canadiens faced a pivotal Game 7, with St. Louis emphasizing the importance of finding a way to win. His empathetic coaching style and deep understanding of the game, honed during his playing days, have been widely credited for the team's resurgence and their current standing among the NHL's top contenders.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Martin St. Louis made different choices?