Antoine Vermette
A relentlessly dependable two-way centre whose faceoff mastery became a secret weapon for two different Stanley Cup champions.
Born 1982 (age 44)·Canadian ice hockey player·Birthday: July 20·Millennials
Biography
Antoine Vermette built a 14-year NHL career not on flashy scoring titles, but on a specific, invaluable craft: winning faceoffs. The quiet centre from Saint-Agapit, Quebec, was a model of consistency, a player coaches could deploy in any situation knowing he would handle his defensive assignments and, most crucially, secure possession of the puck. After establishing himself as a reliable middle-six forward with the Ottawa Senators and Columbus Blue Jackets, his particular skill set made him a coveted trade deadline piece for contending teams. This culminated in back-to-back Stanley Cup runs in 2015 and 2016. First with Chicago, where his overtime goal in Game 4 of the Finals was a pivotal moment, and then the following season with Anaheim, Vermette proved that specialists with ice-cold nerves have a permanent place in hockey's highest drama.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Antoine was born in 1982, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Antoine Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Antoine's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Turned 21
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2012Turned 30
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 40
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 44 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2015, scoring a crucial double-overtime goal in Game 4 of the Finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
- Played in the Stanley Cup Final in consecutive years with two different teams (Chicago in 2015, Anaheim in 2016).
- Recorded six seasons with 20 or more goals, demonstrating consistent offensive contribution alongside his defensive role.
- Finished his career with a faceoff win percentage of 56.5%, consistently ranking among the league's best in the circle.
Did You Know?
He was traded at the NHL deadline in consecutive seasons (2015 to Chicago, 2016 to Anaheim), each time going to a team that reached the Stanley Cup Final.
His overtime winner in the 2015 Final was his first career playoff overtime goal.
He played major junior hockey for the Victoriaville Tigres in the QMJHL.
Vermette was known for his durability, playing in 914 regular season NHL games.
“My role was clear: win the draw, do the job, and help the team.”
