Tim Stapleton

Lore & Background

Undrafted, Stapleton played two seasons with the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL before four seasons at the University of Minnesota Duluth, where he led the team in scoring as a freshman and had back-to-back 40-point seasons. After a brief AHL stint with the Portland Pirates, he signed with Jokerit of the Finnish SM-liiga, winning a silver medal and finishing second in playoff scoring. He signed as a free agent with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2008, making his NHL debut on February 26, 2009, and scoring the shootout winner in that game. Two days later, he scored his first NHL goal against the Ottawa Senators. On July 1, 2009, he was traded to the Atlanta Thrashers with Pavel Kubina for Garnet Exelby and Colin Stuart. After a season with the Chicago Wolves, he signed a professional tryout with the San Antonio Rampage before being signed to a two-year contract by the Thrashers on November 30, 2010. On April 10, 2011, he scored the final goal in Thrashers' history against Brent Johnson of the Pittsburgh Penguins. The following season, the franchise moved to Canada to become the Winnipeg Jets. Stapleton remained at the NHL level for the entire season, often playing the point on the power play while logging even-strength minutes as a third- or fourth-line forward, resulting in career highs in games, goals, assists, and points. He was not re-signed by the Jets after his contract expired.

Reader's Guide

Tim Stapleton's significance lies in his role as a trailblazer and a footnote in NHL franchise history. As the first player of Filipino descent to play in the NHL, he broke a cultural barrier, representing a growing diversity in the league. His most notable achievement came on April 10, 2011, when he scored the final goal in Atlanta Thrashers history, a moment that bookended the franchise's existence before its relocation to Winnipeg. With the Jets, Stapleton enjoyed his most productive NHL season, doubling his career totals in games, goals, assists, and points, largely due to his power-play role despite being a bottom-six forward at even strength. His career path—undrafted, through USHL, NCAA, Finland, and the AHL before reaching the NHL—exemplifies a journeyman's perseverance. After leaving the NHL, he continued his career across multiple European leagues, including the KHL, Swiss NLA, Swedish SHL, and German DEL, demonstrating adaptability. His international play for the United States at three IIHF World Championships, including a bronze medal in 2013, further underscores his competence at a high level. Stapleton's legacy is that of a versatile forward who, despite limited NHL tenure, left a lasting mark as a pioneer and a key figure in a franchise's final chapter.

Did You Know?

• He scored the last goal in Atlanta Thrashers history on April 10, 2011.
• Stapleton scored the shootout winner in his NHL debut on February 26, 2009.
• He won a bronze medal with the United States at the 2013 IIHF World Championship.