Pete Stemkowski

Pete Stemkowski
at Madison Square Garden vs NY Rangers, c. 1965
Born	(1943-08-25) August 25, 1943 (age 73) Winnipeg, MB, CAN
Height	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight	196 lb (89 kg; 14 st 0 lb)
Position	Centre
Shot	Left
Played for	Toronto Maple Leafs Detroit Red Wings New York Rangers Los Angeles Kings
Playing career	1963–1979

Peter David Stemkowski (born August 25, 1943) is a former player in the National Hockey League. Over fifteen seasons, he played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers, and Los Angeles Kings. Stemkowski is best remembered for his heroics in the 1970–71 Stanley Cup semifinals when he scored two overtime goals for the New York Rangers in an eventual series loss to the Chicago Black Hawks. He won the Stanley Cup in 1967 with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Pete Stemkowski, who played centre, is also remembered as one of the top faceoff players of the NHL.

On April 29, 1971, Rangers center Pete Stemkowski scored one of the biggest goals in New York Rangers history.

Stemkowski`s tally in triple overtime of Game 6 of the Stanley Cup playoff semifinals at Madison Square Garden, forced a seventh game between the Rangers and Black Hawks — keeping the Blueshirts` hopes of a Stanley Cup Finals appearance alive. The MSG Network special The 50 Greatest Moments in Madison Square Garden History placed the Game 6 triple overtime winner at number 18.

Although the Rangers went on to lose Game 7, a then 27-year-old Stemkowski had forever ensured a special relationship with the New York fans, who would talk about his dramatic goal for many years to come. Neither Stemmer, as he was fondly called, or the Garden Faithful had to wait much longer for that trip to the Finals, since Stemkowski was again part of the team that went all the way to a showdown with Boston one year later in 1972.

Also known as "The Polish Prince," Stemkowski`s success in his first year as a Ranger set the tone for a fine seven-season run that included three straight 20-goal seasons from 1972-73 to 1974-75. He was particularly impressive in 1973-74, when he tied his career-high of 25 goals and also notched a career-high 70 points.

Born and raised in Winnipeg, Stemkowski began his NHL career in the Toronto Maple Leafs system and played his first game with the Leafs as a 20-year-old in 1963-64. He went on to spend another four years with the Leafs, shuttling up and down between Toronto and Rochester of the American Hockey League until he caught on as an NHL regular in 1966.