What's an unforgettable rookie debut like? Stepan reflects on his after Matthews stars

Auston Matthews's four-goal debut evoked memories for Derek Stepan of his first game as a rookie, in which he scored a hat trick for the New York Rangers against the Buffalo Sabres.

Author:
Alex Prewitt
Publish date:
Oct 14, 2016

NEW YORK – Before Auston Matthews stomped along and formed an even better club by himself Wednesday night, only four players in NHL history had ever scored hat tricks in their debuts. One of them–the most recent one, six years ago–now sits in his locker at Madison Square Garden, after the Rangers' season-opening 5-3 win over the Islanders, remembering what he can.

“Feels like a long time ago,” forward Derek Stepan says. “When you’re in the moment, you don’t really know what’s going on. The puck just seems to find you.”

Stepan laughs. He’s thinking about the highlights he watched Wednesday night, when the 2016 No. 1 pick filleted the Senators with four goals, all before second intermission. “Mine was a much uglier hat trick than his. Much uglier.”

This is fairly accurate. Fresh out of the University of Wisconsin, Stepan made New York’s roster for opening night–Oct. 9, 2010, in Buffalo–but still worried about job security.

“No way you can’t be nervous,” he says. “I was a bubble guy. I was just trying to make the team. Scoring was the least of my worries.”

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Midway through the first period, the puck rimmed around to defenseman Dan Girardi, who whipped a wrister from the blue line. The shot hit Stepan, zoomed to his right, banked off Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers, and slid into the net.

“I wanted it to be that it bounced in off the other team, because I think that’s how everyone scores their first one,” Stepan said at the time “You know, off the shin pad, off the elbow pad, off someone else.”

The others came smoother. With roughly five minutes left in the second period, Stepan gathered a rebound to the right of the crease and cleverly chipped it over goalie Ryan Miller, the reigning Vezina Trophy winner at the time. Three minutes later, Sean Avery found Stepan in the slot. Soon, a single hat hit the ice. Television cameras captured his mother, stepfather, and then girlfriend/current wife cheering, surrounded by quiet Sabres fans in the stands. Unlike Matthews’ Maple Leafs, who lost in overtime, the Rangers beat Buffalo with ease, 6-3.

GALLERY: Greatest rookie debuts in sports history

Greatest rookie debut performances in sports history

Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs — Oct. 12, 2016

Toronto's first-round pick Auston Matthews had sky-high expectations entering the 2016 season, and man did he live up to them, becoming the first NHLer to score four goals in his debut, though his Maple Leafs fell to the Senators 5-4 in overtime.

Trevor Story, Colorado Rockies — April 4, 2016

Facing Zack Greinke, who led the NL in ERA the year before, Story set an MLB record by homering in his first two career at bats on Opening Day.

Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans — Sept. 13, 2015

2015-0921-SI-cover-Marcus-Mariota-X159929_TK1_651cov.jpg — Gary Bogdon

In his first game ever, which also happened to be against the quarterback that was taken one pick before him in the draft (that'd be the Bucs' Jameis Winston), Mariota became the first rookie in NFL history to throw four touchdowns in the first half. He was 10 of 13 passes for 175 yards and four touchdowns at the end of the first half(!!), and finished the game 13 of 16 for 209 yards. You read that right--he finished with more touchdowns than incompletions.

Steven Matz, New York Mets — June 28, 2015

In an astonishing and storybook debut, Matz became the only major league pitcher and the first player in franchise history (at any position!) to drive in four runs in his first career game, while leading the Mets to a 7-2 victory over the Reds. He did also pitch 7 2/3 innings, allowing just two runs and striking out six.

Troy Grosenick, San Jose Sharks — Nov. 16, 2014

Sharks goalie Troy Grosenick set an NHL record for saves in an NHL debut shutout, stopping 45 shots from the Hurricanes in a 2–0 win.

Michael Carter-Williams, Philadelphia 76ers — Oct. 30, 2013

Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

The former No. 11 pick finished with a video game stat-line of 22 points, 12 assists, seven rebounds and nine steals against LeBron James and the Miami Heat.

Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins — Sept. 9, 2012

Ah, the future once looked so bright. Griffin's debut was a gem: he went 19 of 26 for 320 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions, and rushed for 42 yards on nine carries. Oh, and his first NFL touchdown came on one play on his second drive of the game—an 88-yard throw to Pierre Garcon. The rookie outdid Drew Brees, and led the Redskins to a 40–32 win over the Saints becoming the first QB to throw for more than 300 yards in a winning debut (Cam's 422-yard debut was a loss).

Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers — Sept. 11, 2011

The future league MVP threw for 422 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for one TD in his NFL debut. Despite his herculean effort, the Panthers lost 28-21 to the Cardinals.

Derek Stepan, New York Rangers — Oct. 9, 2010

New York Rangers rookie Derek Stepan scored three times against the Sabres in a 6–3 win

Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals — June 8, 2010

In one of the most hyped debuts ever, the former No. 1 pick struck out 14 batters over seven innings while allowing just two runs against the Pirates.

Starlin Castro, Chicago Cubs — May 7, 2010

The first MLB player born in the 1990s, Castro homered and hit a bases-loaded triple against the Reds, setting the record for most RBIs in a debut with six.

Fabian Brunnstrom, Dallas Stars — Oct. 15, 2008

Fabian Brunnstrom’s first NHL game was one to remember, as he potted three goals against the Predators in a 6-4 Stars’ win

LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers — Oct. 29, 2003

LeBron's first game was one of the most anticipated rookie debuts in NBA history. The proclaimed "Chosen One" recorded a monster stat line of 25 points, nine assists, six rebounds and four steals.

Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals — Sept. 7, 2003

This is considered one of the greatest NFL debuts at any position. The Cardinals receiver finished with 10 catches, 217(!) yards and two touchdowns in Arizona's loss to the Lions.

Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers — Nov. 1, 1996

Allen Iverson took the NBA by storm as soon as he stepped on the floor as a Sixer. The recent hall of fame inductee scored 30 points and dished out 6 assists against the Milwaukee Bucks.

J.R. Richard, Houston Astros — Sept. 5, 1971

The 21-year-old fireballer threw a complete game against the Giants, allowing two earned runs and tying the MLB record with 17 strikeouts in his first career start.

Fran Tarkenton, Minnesota Vikings — Sept. 17, 1961

The Vikings offense was struggling against the Bears, and so in the second quarter, veteran QB George Shaw was benched for a rookie named Fran Tarkenton. Thus began a Hall of Fame career. Tarkenton threw a touchdown pass on his first drive, and finished the game 17/23 for 250 yards, three passing TDs and a rushing TD. The Vikings beat the Bears 37–13.

Juan Marichal, San Francisco Giants — July 19, 1960

Marichal dominated the Phillies, carrying a perfect game into the 7th and a no-hitter into the 8th. He ultimately tossed a one-hit shutout, striking out 12 while walking just one.

Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia Warriors — Oct. 24, 1959

Wilt Chamberlain recorded a ridiculous 43 point and 28 rebound effort in his NBA debut for the Philadelphia Warriors.

Willie McCovey, San Francisco Giants — July 30, 1959

McCovey started his career with a bang, going 4 for 4 with two triples and 2 RBIs against future Hall-of-Famer Robin Roberts.

“I remember it being really special for him and the team, everyone rallying around him,” Girardi says. “It was something that doesn’t happen very often.” Of course, the veteran can’t help but pivot to the kid who outshined everyone. “Obviously watching what happened yesterday, that’s a once-in-a-lifetime play by that guy there. I think everyone’s going to have their eyes on him from now on.” (Thanks to NBCSports moving Matthews’ home debut onto national television, more certainly will Friday.)

When the Rangers returned to the locker room, reporters had history ready. Stepan soon learned he had joined Montreal’s Alex Smart (1943), Quebec’s Real Cloutier (1979) and Dallas’ Fabian Brunstromm (2008) as the only players to enter the NHL in such explosive fashion. (Trivia interlude: Avery had a secondary assist for Brunstromm, making him the only player with assists on multiple debut hat tricks.) At the time, Stepan was also the first to do so on the road. But even then, the magnitude of his magical night didn’t quite resonate.

“It’s later,” Stepan says. “It’s down the road, when you’re out of the building and get to exhale. You look at your phone. I got back to the airport, I sat down and it just sinks in. Like, 'What the heck just happened?'”

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Even though Matthews entered training camp far from the roster bubble, all but locked into Mike Babcock’s opening-day lineup from the moment Toronto called his name, Stepan figures that Wednesday night in Ottawa the teenager felt something similar.

“Right now, I’m sure he’s just thinking about his next game,” Stepan says. “Maybe later down the road he’ll look back on it and go, 'Geez, that was insane.'”

The league would already agree. Players rushed to tweet commentary on Matthews’ masterpiece, which included a thorough undressing of Ottawa’s Norris Trophy-caliber captain, Erik Karlsson. Apparently out of fear, Florida goalie Roberto Luongo abdicated all goaltending responsibilities against the Leafs for the rest of the season. Minor leaguer Garret Sparks compared Matthews to “one of the 99 overall” creations from an NHL video game.

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“F---ing unbelievable,” one Eastern Conference player texted SI during the game. “Kid’s got a lot of game, that’s for sure.”

Amid the clamor was Tampa forward Ryan Callahan, who was on the Rangers for Stepan’s hat trick.

“You jerk,” Stepan texted him back, smiling as he recounted the story. This mirrored the ribbing teammates started giving him six years ago in Buffalo, particularly after he twice missed out on a fourth goal–shooting high on a breakaway, and hitting the post of an empty net.

In this way, Stepan’s hat trick helped the “bubble guy”–who wound up playing all 82 games that season –grow closer with fellow Rangers.

“Coming in as a rookie, out of college, you’re trying to get to know him better,” Girardi says. “As a rookie you have to fit in, take your lumps, this and that. It showed he could play in this league, no problem. It was a joke: ‘It’s not that hard of a league, right?’”

Again, here comes the pivot.

“I’m guessing that’s what the feeling is for ol’ Auston there. The game seems pretty easy for him right now."