Steve Ott
A tenacious NHL agitator who built a 14-year career on grit, becoming a respected leader and now a coach shaping the next generation.
Born 1982 (age 44)·Canadian ice hockey player·Birthday: August 19·Millennials
Biography
Steve Ott carved out his NHL identity not with flashy scoring, but with an unyielding, abrasive style that made him a constant thorn in opponents' sides. Drafted by Dallas in 2000, he became a fan favorite for the Stars, embodying a blue-collar work ethic that often saw him leading the team in penalty minutes. His role evolved beyond the agitator; he developed into a reliable face-off specialist and a vocal leader in the locker room, wearing the 'A' as an alternate captain. After Dallas, he became a valued veteran presence for several franchises, including a memorable run to the Western Conference Final with St. Louis. His understanding of the game's gritty nuances made his transition to coaching inevitable, and he now leads AHL development with the same intensity he played with.
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.
Steve 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 Steve Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Steve'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
- Played over 800 NHL games across six teams, including the Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blues.
- Served as an alternate captain for the Dallas Stars during his tenure with the franchise.
- Reached the NHL Western Conference Finals with the St. Louis Blues in the 2016 playoffs.
- Selected in the first round, 25th overall, by the Dallas Stars in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.
Did You Know?
He is known for a famous, long-running on-ice feud with Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane.
His father, John Ott, was a police officer who once arrested NHL tough guy Bob Probert.
He won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2003 IIHF World Championship.
“My job is to make their top guys hate coming to the rink.”
