Steve Seftel


Steven Jerome Seftel is a Canadian retired ice hockey forward and author who played four games with the Washington Capitals during the 1990–91 NHL season. The former National Hockey League player was drafted in the second round, 40th overall by the Capitals in the 1986 NHL Entry Draft.
Seftel was born in Kitchener, Ontario. Steve played his OHL career with the Kingston Canadians and moved on to skate for the Binghamton Whalers and Baltimore Skipjacks of the American Hockey League. His book titled "Shattered Ice" was published in 2019. The memoir starts on a schoolyard rink and is filled with relationships, players, and coaches, including chance childhood meetings with Darryl Sittler and Wayne Gretzky. Impassioned coaches Steve played for like Bryan Murray, Terry Murray, Doug MacLean and Barry Trotz influenced his career. The story reveals his mental health challenges along with his various experiences in pro hockey.

Early life and education

Seftel was born in Kitchener, Ontario. in 1968. His parents are Robert of Kitchener, Ontario and Joan Miller of Waterloo, Ontario. Kitchener and Waterloo are often jointly referred to as "Kitchener–Waterloo", "KW", or the "Twin Cities". He has a brother, Bradley. He played locally for the Kitchener Bauer Krauts and Kitchener Greenshirts of the Ontario Minor Hockey Association. Seftel was drafted 31st overall by the Kingston Canadians of the Ontario Hockey League in the 1985 OHL Priority Selection. He attended St. Jerome's Catholic High School in Kitchener. The all-boys Catholic high school was founded in 1865 and closed in 1990. Seftel was drafted 40th overall by the Washington Capitals in the 1986 NHL Entry Draft

Playing career

Seftel starred as a Midget for two seasons with the hometown Kitchener Greenshirts from 1983 to 1985, playing in 130 games, scoring 171 points. Seftel began the 1985-86 season with the Kingston Canadians of the Ontario Hockey League. He played for the Canadians from 1985 to 1988, playing in 162 games, scoring 166 points. Perhaps the best rookie at the 1985 Canadians training camp, his OHL career was delayed due to a broken ankle before the regular season started. Sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee versus the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in November 1986 and missed 12 games. Led the Canadians in scoring in his final season of junior hockey. After completing his junior hockey career in the Ontario Hockey League, he finished the 1987-88 campaign with the Binghamton Whalers of the American Hockey League and played 3 games, scoring no points.
Seftel began the 1988-89 season with the Baltimore Skipjacks of the American Hockey League, where he had 27 points in 58 games. He scored his first professional goal with the Baltimore Skipjacks on October 15, 1988 versus the Hershey Bears at the Hersheypark Arena, He spent the 1989-90 season with the Skipjacks, picking up 29 points in 74 games played. He chipped in with 7 points in 12 playoff games with Baltimore.
The following year Seftel spent most of the 1990-91 season with Baltimore, picking up 44 points in 66 games. He went pointless in 6 playoff games with the Skipjacks. He made his National Hockey League debut on January 22, 1991 in a road game versus the Detroit Red Wings at the Joe Louis Arena. The Capitals winning the game 2-1 in overtime. The game featured head coaches and brothers Bryan Murray and Terry Murray, Seftel suited up during the Super Series#Super Series 1991, for the Washington Capitals versus HC Dynamo Moscow in a 3-2 Washington victory. He assisted on the game-winning goal by winger Jeff Greenlaw.
Seftel started the 1991-92 season on the injured reserve list after off-season Anterior cruciate ligament surgery on his left knee. After nine months of extensive rehabilitation, he returned to game play and earned 8 points in 18 games played with Baltimore. March 17, 1992 in an American Hockey League match versus the Cape Breton Oilers, Seftel sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament injury in his right knee which ended his season. He started the 1992-93 season again with the Skipjacks and head coach Barry Trotz. Knee injuries limited his mobility over the next four months and he chose to retire from hockey. After retiring from hockey Seftel's right anterior cruciate ligament was surgically repaired in Kingston, Ontario at Hotel Dieu Hospital.

Writing

Seftel wrote his self-published memoir "Shattered Ice" long after his playing career ended. Shattered Ice, explores his past, weaving players, coaches, friends, places, struggles, and more into a gripping narrative. His book also tackles his internal struggles with mental health and coming to terms with his illness. The former NHLer is now managing his health in a new way and has become a leader for mental wellness - increasing awareness and reducing stigma about mental health and suicide.

Non-fiction

Seftel and his wife Lisa have two children.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes; +/– = Plus/minus
Regular season & Playoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIM+/-GPGAPtsPIM
1984-85Kitchener Greenshirts MidgetMinor-ON695852110176------
1985-86Kingston CanadiansOHL4211162753-1021314
1986-87Kingston CanadiansOHL5421436455-121459
1987-88Kingston CanadiansOHL6632437551------
1987-88Binghamton WhalersAHL30002------
1988-89Baltimore SkipjacksAHL5812152770------
1989-90Baltimore SkipjacksAHL7410192952-1243710
1990-91Washington CapitalsNHL40002-2-----
1990-91Baltimore SkipjacksAHL6622224446-600014
1991-92Baltimore SkipjacksAHL1826827------