Vincent Lecavalier

Position:  Center
Height:  6'4"
Weight:  223 lbs
Shoots:  Left
Aquired: Selected by the Lightning in the first round, first overall, at the 1998 Entry Draft.
Born:  April 21, 1980 (Ile Bizard, Quebec)
Season:  NHL - 11th, Lightning - 11th

Since being drafted first overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 1998, Vincent Lecavalier has grown into one of the most respected players and humanitarians in the National Hockey League. Not only is Lecavalier one of the most recognized stars in the NHL, but the 29-year-old Quebec native is also one of professional sports’ top citizens off the ice. In 2007 Lecavalier made the unprecedented commitment to raise $3 million for the construction of a state-of-the art facility at All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, which will be named the Vincent Lecavalier Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Center.

Prior to the 2008-09 season, Lecavalier signed an 11-year contract extension designed to keep him in Tampa Bay for the remainder of his career, and he was subsequently named team captain.

Born and raised in the Montreal suburb of Ile Bizard, Lecavalier was considered to be one of the top players in junior hockey by age 17. Playing for the Quebec League’s Rimouski Oceanic, Lecavalier was named the Canadian Hockey League Rookie of the Year in 1997 and followed that up as a CHL All-Star in 1998. Lecavalier arrived at the 1998 NHL Entry Draft in Buffalo as the consensus No. 1 prospect, and Tampa Bay wasted no time in making him the top selection.

By 2002-03 Lecavalier had developed into one of the top offensive stars in the NHL, tallying a career-best 35 goals and leading Tampa Bay to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. That same season he created the Vinny Lecavalier Foundation to assist youth and families in the Tampa Bay and Rimouski, Quebec communities through charitable outreach projects. He also established Kane’s 4 Kids, a performance-based program that also benefits All Children’s Hospital.

In 2003-04 Lecavalier appeared in his first NHL All-Star Game and led Tampa Bay to the top of the hockey world with a Stanley Cup title, tallying nine goals and 16 points in 23 post-season games. He followed that up by helping Canada capture the 2004 World Cup, being named tournament MVP.

The 2006-07 season was one of great personal achievement for Lecavalier, who tallied a Lightning-record 52 goals to win the NHL’s Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy as the league’s top goal scorer. Lecavalier also broke the Tampa Bay record for points in a season by recording his 95th on March 16, 2007 against Buffalo.

In 2007-08 he was chosen as captain of the Eastern Conference team in his third NHL All-Star Game. More importantly he was recognized by his peers and the NHL for his $3 million commitment to All Children’s Hospital, receiving the NHL Foundation Award and the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, given annually to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.