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Facts: He scored nine goals in the first round of the 2008 OHL playoffs – including four goals in a 5-4 win in Game 4 – helping the Sting eliminate the Windsor Spitfires in five games.

Led the Sting and ranked second in the OHL with 58 goals (58-47-105) in 61 games in 2007-08.

Named the OHL's Player of the Month for February after scoring 13 goals and 22 points in 13 games.

Was recognized as the best stickhandler and voted as having the best shot in the OHL's annual Coaches Poll.

Was one of two players born in 1990 named to Team Canada for the 2008 World Junior Championship. He helped lead Canada to a gold medal, recording six points (1-5-6) in seven games, including a goal and an assist in the quarter-final game against Finland.

In 2006-07, he was awarded the Bobby Smith Trophy as the OHL Scholastic Player of the Year, awarded annually to the player who best combines high standards of play and academic excellence. He was runner-up for the OHL Rookie of the Year in 2007 to the eventual 2006 number one draft pick, Chicago Blackhawks' Patrick Kane.

Was selected first overall in the 2006 OHL Priority Draft after scoring 105 goals (105-92-207) for the Markham Waxers Minor Midget team.

Stamkos' shootout goal in the 2007 OHL skills competition has over 100,000 views on YouTube.

He began skating at the age of three and played his minor hockey for the Markham Waxers. He played alongside Oshawa's Michael Del Zotto (ranked 15th) and Brampton's Cody Hodgson (ranked 9th).

He patterns his game after Alex Ovechkin because "he uses his speed as well as his body to create plays on the ice and I love the way he plays."

If he could have dinner with any three people he would choose: Tiger Woods, Wayne Gretzky and his parents.

His nickname is 'Stammer' and if he weren't playing hockey he would be playing pro baseball.

Talent Analysis: Strengths: "He skates away from people and around anybody, especially defensemen, who are a little slow of foot. The way he goes to the net, with the puck, and the moves he has to get himself there are what sets him apart."

Areas to improve: "Just continued development and assertiveness toward the net. The next line of competition for him will be bigger and tougher, but he'll be up to it."

Outlook: "The team that takes Steven Stamkos is going to get one of the fastest skaters in all of the draft. Steven goes to the net fearlessly with that speed and brings a bit of an edge and a bit of an aggressive attitude that every team wants ... (he is projected to play on) a top line in the NHL and a team would be foolhardy to use him anywhere else. With maturity, Steven is going to be an NHL star for years to come."