Steve Maltais
Steve Maltais is a Canadian-American ice hockey coach and former player. He was originally selected by the Washington Capitals in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft. He is the current head coach of the Chicago Cougars of the United States Premier Hockey League.
Playing career
Maltais was born in Arvida, Quebec. As a youth, he played in the 1982 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a minor [ice hockey] team from Arvida.Maltais played parts of six seasons in the National Hockey League with the Capitals, Minnesota [North Stars], Tampa Bay Lightning, Detroit Red Wings, and Columbus Blue Jackets. He also attended the Pittsburgh Penguins training camp in 1997, but was released prior to the start of the regular season.
He is best known, however, for his long tenure with the top-level minor league Chicago Wolves. He joined the Wolves in 1994 when they were in the International Hockey League, and followed them into the American Hockey League. He retired in 2005, having played in all 11 of the team's seasons up to that point. He is still the Wolves all-time leading scorer. His 596 minor league goals is the eighth highest total in minor league history, and his 605 total goals is good for 22nd all time.
His #11 was retired by the Wolves in a ceremony on April 15, 2006.