Steve Seftel

Lore & Background

Seftel played junior hockey for the Kingston Canadians of the Ontario Hockey League from 1985 to 1988, recording 166 points in 162 games. His junior career was interrupted by a broken ankle before the 1985–86 season and a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in November 1986, which caused him to miss 12 games. He led the Canadians in scoring in his final junior season. After junior hockey, he finished the 1987–88 campaign with the Binghamton Whalers of the American Hockey League, playing three games without scoring. He then spent the majority of his professional career with the Baltimore Skipjacks of the AHL from 1988 to 1992, where he accumulated 27 points in 58 games in 1988–89, 29 points in 74 games in 1989–90, and 44 points in 66 games in 1990–91. He made his NHL debut on January 22, 1991, in a road game against the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena, a 2–1 overtime win for the Capitals. He also suited up for the Capitals during the Super Series 1991 against HC Dynamo Moscow, assisting on the game-winning goal. Seftel started the 1991–92 season on injured reserve after off-season ACL surgery on his left knee. After nine months of rehabilitation, he returned to play 18 games with Baltimore, earning 8 points. On March 17, 1992, he sustained a torn ACL in his right knee, ending his season. He began the 1992–93 season with the Skipjacks under head coach Barry Trotz, but knee injuries limited his mobility, and he chose to retire.

Reader's Guide

Steve Seftel's NHL career was brief, consisting of only four games with the Washington Capitals in the 1990–91 season, but his path to the league was marked by persistent knee injuries. Drafted in the second round in 1986, he spent years developing in the minor leagues, primarily with the Baltimore Skipjacks, where he was a consistent scorer. His NHL debut came in a notable game featuring head coaches and brothers Bryan Murray and Terry Murray. After his playing career ended due to repeated anterior cruciate ligament tears, Seftel transitioned to writing. His self-published memoir 'Shattered Ice' explores his past, including his internal struggles with mental health, and he has become an advocate for increasing awareness and reducing stigma about mental health and suicide. In 2023, he published a second book, 'Bobby Backchex and the Giant Jellyfish'. His story highlights the physical toll of professional hockey and the challenges of life after the game.

Did You Know?

• Seftel was drafted 40th overall by the Washington Capitals in the 1986 NHL entry draft.
• He made his NHL debut on January 22, 1991, in a 2–1 overtime win against the Detroit Red Wings.
• He assisted on the game-winning goal by Jeff Greenlaw during the Super Series 1991 against HC Dynamo Moscow.
• After retiring, he wrote a memoir titled 'Shattered Ice' and later a second book, 'Bobby Backchex and the Giant Jellyfish'.