Sam Steel Bio
Sam Steel, born February 3, 1998, is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who currently plays for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighing 185 pounds, Steel shoots left and has built his career as a skilled playmaking forward. He was selected 30th overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft by the Anaheim Ducks, launching a professional path that has also taken him through the Minnesota Wild. Known for his vision, speed, and two-way responsibility, Steel has steadily developed into a reliable middle-six centre at the NHL level.
Early Life and Background
Sam Steel was born on February 3, 1998, in Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada. He grew up in the same community, surrounded by the strong hockey culture that defines much of western Canada. From a young age, Steel was immersed in the sport, playing youth hockey locally and developing his skills on frozen rinks throughout Alberta. His early environment in Sherwood Park helped shape the foundation of his career and his lifelong connection to the game.
As a child, Steel was friends with fellow Canadian Carter Hart, a goaltender who would later also reach the NHL. Steel’s older brother, Patrick, also played competitive hockey, reinforcing the family’s deep connection to the sport. Steel’s upbringing in a hockey-focused family and community gave him early exposure to high-level competition and prepared him for the challenges of junior hockey.
Path to Hockey
Steel first played junior hockey in his hometown of Sherwood Park, captaining the Sherwood Park AAA Flyers in his youth. His strong play earned him the second overall pick in the 2013 Western Hockey League (WHL) Bantam Draft by the Regina Pats. On August 28, 2013, he signed a standard player contract with the Pats, formally beginning his major junior career. He also appeared briefly with the Sherwood Park Crusaders of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) before completing the 2013–14 season by making his WHL debut with Regina, playing in five games.
The following season, Steel finished with 54 points in 61 games as the Pats rebuilt around young talent. In 2015–16, he produced 70 points, confirming his status as one of the WHL’s brightest young forwards. His strong development in Regina caught the attention of NHL scouts and positioned him as a top prospect heading into the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.
Sam Steel Career
WHL Career with the Regina Pats
After joining the Regina Pats full-time, Steel quickly became a central figure in the team’s lineup. In 2016–17, he led the entire WHL in scoring, an achievement that earned him both the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy as WHL Player of the Year and the Bob Clarke Trophy as the league’s leading point-scorer. The Pats reached the WHL final that season but lost to the Seattle Thunderbirds, falling short of a league championship.
In his final WHL season, Steel was named captain of the Regina Pats. As a member of the 2018 Memorial Cup host team, he led the squad through the round robin to the national championship game, where the Pats ultimately lost 0–3 to the Acadie-Bathurst Titan. Despite the loss, Steel was awarded the Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy as Tournament MVP and the Ed Chynoweth Trophy as the leading scorer of the tournament, with two goals and 11 assists.
Anaheim Ducks Era (2018–2022)
Selected 30th overall by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, Steel signed a three-year entry-level contract with the team on December 21, 2016. The Ducks had previously traded goaltender Frederik Andersen to the Toronto Maple Leafs to acquire the pick used to select him. Steel joined Anaheim for the 2018–19 season and made his NHL debut on October 3, 2018, against the San Jose Sharks.
He recorded his first NHL goal on October 21, 2018, in a 4–2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres, and later that season, on March 26, 2019, he tallied his first career hat-trick in a 5–4 win over the Vancouver Canucks, becoming the youngest player in Ducks history to score a regular-season hat-trick. As a restricted free agent at the end of his contract, Steel was not extended a qualifying offer and became an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2022.
Minnesota Wild Era (2022–2023)
On August 30, 2022, Steel signed a one-year contract with the Minnesota Wild. In the 2022–23 season, he played alongside Kirill Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello, producing a breakout year with new career highs of 10 goals, 18 assists, and 28 points across 65 regular-season games. His strong performance helped establish him as a dependable two-way centre at the NHL level.
Despite his productive season, Steel was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Wild on June 29, 2023, due to salary cap considerations, making him an unrestricted free agent once again.
Dallas Stars Era (2023–Present)
Released as a free agent, Steel was quickly signed to a one-year, $850,000 contract with the Dallas Stars on July 1, 2023. In his first season in Dallas, he recorded 24 points in 77 regular-season games and added five more points during the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Once again a restricted free agent, he was not issued a qualifying offer, but before reaching unrestricted status, he signed a one-year, $1.2 million contract to remain with the Stars on June 30, 2024.
Driving Style and Strengths
Steel is recognized for his skating ability, hockey IQ, and reliable two-way play. He excels as a playmaking centre, using his vision and passing to set up linemates in the offensive zone. His experience playing alongside star players like Kirill Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello has sharpened his creativity and consistency.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Steel’s career highlights are his 2016–17 WHL scoring title, his Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy as Memorial Cup MVP, and his record-setting hat-trick as the youngest player in Anaheim Ducks history to achieve the feat in the regular season. His gold medal with Canada at the 2018 IIHF World U20 Championship also stands as a major international accomplishment.
Sam Steel Career Wins
While individual game-by-goal win tallies vary by season, Sam Steel’s career is marked by several notable achievements across the WHL, NHL, and international stage. His WHL scoring title, Memorial Cup MVP award, and NHL hat-trick highlight a résumé built on both team and individual success.
NHL Highlights
Steel made an immediate impact with the Anaheim Ducks, recording his first NHL goal in October 2018 and his first career hat-trick in March 2019. He later posted career-best offensive numbers with the Minnesota Wild in 2022–23 and contributed consistently to the Dallas Stars’ playoff run in 2024.
International and Junior Highlights
Steel won a gold medal with Canada at the 2015 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and another gold at the 2018 IIHF World U20 Championship. He also earned WHL Player of the Year honours in 2016–17 and was named Memorial Cup MVP in 2018.
Sam Steel Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Sam Steel grew up in a hockey family in Sherwood Park, Alberta. His older brother, Patrick, also played the sport and competed for the Canmore Eagles of the AJHL before his passing due to an undetected heart problem. Steel’s childhood friendship with NHL goaltender Carter Hart further reflects his deep roots in the Canadian hockey community.
Personal Life
Steel continues to be recognized as a Canadian professional athlete who maintains close ties to his hometown of Sherwood Park. His career has been shaped by the memory of his late brother and the support of his family throughout his journey from junior hockey to the NHL.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season, Sam Steel remains with the Dallas Stars after re-signing with the club in June 2024. His first full season in Dallas saw him establish himself as a reliable depth scorer and playoff contributor, and the team will look for continued growth from him in 2025. The Stars remain a competitive contender in the Western Conference, and Steel’s steady two-way play will be an important part of their forward group.
Coming off a 24-point regular season and a five-point playoff performance in 2024, Steel enters 2025 with momentum and a clear role within the Stars’ lineup. His experience playing alongside high-end linemates should help him maintain consistent production. With a contract in hand and familiarity with the system, Steel is well-positioned to deliver another steady campaign for Dallas.
