When Martin St. Louis laced up his skates for the final time in 2015, the NHL lost one of its most electrifying and undersized superstars. Now, as head coach of the Montreal Canadiens, he's chasing a different kind of glory—leading the franchise to its first Stanley Cup since 1993. But before he became a bench boss, St. Louis was a legend on the ice, and his journey is worth revisiting.

St. Louis officially retired after the 2014-15 season, at age 39. His NHL career spanned 1,134 games, during which he amassed 1,033 points—a testament to his skill and determination. He began his career with the Calgary Flames, playing just two seasons before finding his home with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Over 13 seasons in Tampa Bay, he became the face of the franchise, leading the team to a Stanley Cup championship in 2004. He finished his playing days with a season and a half for the New York Rangers.

What made St. Louis truly remarkable was his size—or lack thereof. Listed at 5-foot-8 (and likely shorter), he defied every expectation. He twice led the NHL in scoring: first in 2003-04 with 94 points (38 goals, 56 assists), and again in the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season, where he posted 60 points (17 goals, 43 assists) in just 48 games. His ability to dominate despite his stature made every accomplishment feel even more extraordinary.

St. Louis's career earned him a well-deserved spot in the Hockey Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy as one of the game's greats. For fans of the sport—and for anyone who loves an underdog story—his journey from undrafted free agent to NHL superstar is nothing short of inspiring. Whether you're looking back at his glory days or cheering on his new chapter behind the bench, Martin St. Louis remains a name that resonates in hockey history.