Steven Santini Bio
Steven Michael Santini (born March 7, 1995) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman and captain of the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has also played for the New Jersey Devils and the Nashville Predators. A native of Bronxville, New York, Santini skated for the Boston College Eagles men’s ice hockey team of the NCAA Hockey East conference before turning professional.
Selected by the New Jersey Devils in the second round, 42nd overall, of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, Santini has built a career as a steady, defense-first blueliner. Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 207 pounds, he brings a physical, stay-at-home style shaped by his years in USA Hockey’s development pipeline and at Boston College.
Early Life and Background
Steven Michael Santini was born on March 7, 1995, in Bronxville, New York. He grew up in Brewster, New York, where he developed his game at Brewster Ice Arena, a rink opened by his father, Steve, and his uncle, Rob. The family had deep roots in coaching and playing hockey, which gave Steven an early and constant exposure to the sport.
His grandfather, Bob Santini, coached hockey at Mount Saint Michael Academy in the Bronx and founded the Catholic High School Hockey League, which later became part of New York’s Catholic High School Athletic Association. His father, Steve, played college hockey at the University of Maine, and his uncle, Rob, played at Iona College. Steven has three sisters, all of whom attended John F. Kennedy Catholic High School, the same school where he began his high school years.
As a youth player, Santini competed in the 2008 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament as a member of a New York Rangers minor ice hockey team. He spent his first two years of high school at John F. Kennedy Catholic High School in Somers, New York, before relocating to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to join the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, a key stepping stone in his progression as a prospect.
Path to Hockey
Santini trained with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program from 2011 to 2013, refining his game against elite competition and positioning himself as a top NHL prospect. He was widely projected as a first-round selection ahead of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. At the 2013 IIHF World U18 Championships, he helped Team USA to a silver medal and was named the tournament’s best defenseman, confirming his status as one of the top young blueliners in the country.
Following his development years, Santini enrolled at Boston College, joining the Eagles of the NCAA’s Hockey East conference. In his freshman season, he earned a top-four role on defense and built a reputation as a hard-hitting, shutdown defenseman, while contributing 3 goals and 11 points. He was named to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team and also represented the United States at the 2014 World Junior Championships.
During his sophomore year, Santini was paired with freshman Noah Hanifin as the team’s top-two defenseman, but a wrist injury limited him to four games before he underwent surgery and missed 16 games. He returned after the New Year’s break and recovered his form. As a junior, he recorded 1 goal and 19 assists and helped Boston College reach the Frozen Four, where the Eagles were eliminated by Quinnipiac.
Steven Santini Career
Early Career (2016–2018)
On April 9, 2016, Steven Michael Santini signed a three-year entry-level contract with the New Jersey Devils, the team that had drafted him in 2013. He played his first NHL game that same night against the Toronto Maple Leafs, making a quick transition from college to professional hockey.
In the 2016–17 season, Santini recorded his first NHL point during a 3–0 win over the Boston Bruins on January 2, 2017, and scored his first NHL goal on January 12, 2017, against the Edmonton Oilers, when a puck deflected off his elbow. As a restricted free agent, he signed a three-year, $4.25 million contract extension with the Devils on August 14, 2018, signaling the franchise’s confidence in his defensive game.
NHL Transitions and AHL Stints (2019–2024)
On June 22, 2019, Santini was traded by the Devils, along with prospect Jérémy Davies and draft picks, to the Nashville Predators in exchange for P. K. Subban. The following 2019–20 season was a difficult one, as he appeared in just two NHL games and spent the majority of the campaign with the Predators’ AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals.
On October 7, 2020, Santini was placed on unconditional waivers by the Predators for the purpose of buying out the remaining year of his contract. Three days later, on October 10, he signed a one-year, two-way contract as a free agent with the St. Louis Blues. He spent three seasons within the Blues organization, splitting time between the NHL roster and the AHL, before leaving as a free agent in the summer of 2023.
Tampa Bay Lightning Era (2024–Present)
On July 1, 2023, Santini signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Los Angeles Kings. In the 2023–24 season, he played exclusively with the Kings’ AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign, finishing second on the team in scoring from the blueline with 5 goals and 20 points through 64 regular-season games. His steady, two-way contributions highlighted his value as a depth defenseman.
Leaving the Kings at the end of his contract, Santini signed a one-year, two-way deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning on July 1, 2024, and serves as captain of the Lightning’s AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch. The move gave him a fresh opportunity within a deep, contending organization that has long valued dependable defensive play.
Driving Style and Strengths
Steven Michael Santini is best known for his hard-hitting, shutdown style of defense. He excels in his own zone, uses his 6-foot-2 frame to win battles along the boards, and prides himself on being a reliable, low-maintenance partner for more offensive-minded blueliners. Coaches throughout his career have valued his penalty-killing ability, his willingness to block shots, and his steady decision-making under pressure.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Steven Michael Santini’s career highlights are being named the top defenseman at the 2013 IIHF World U18 Championships while helping Team USA to a silver medal, playing in the 2014 World Junior Championships, and helping Boston College reach the Frozen Four. He also reached a personal milestone during the 2023–24 season with the Ontario Reign, finishing second among team defensemen in scoring.
Steven Santini Career Wins
Steven Michael Santini has not been widely recognized for high-volume goal-scoring totals, as his value has always been rooted in defensive reliability rather than offensive production. His junior and college seasons, including a 1-goal, 19-assist junior year at Boston College, illustrate his role as a playmaking, defense-first blueliner.
Professional Highlights
At the professional level, Santini’s standout offensive moment came on January 12, 2017, when he scored his first NHL goal for the New Jersey Devils against the Edmonton Oilers. In the AHL, he delivered a strong 2023–24 campaign with the Ontario Reign, posting 5 goals and 20 points in 64 games, a notable scoring mark for a shutdown defenseman.
Other Performances
Throughout his stints with the Milwaukee Admirals and other AHL affiliates, Santini has been a trusted depth defenseman, logging heavy minutes in defensive situations. His consistency and willingness to play through injuries, including returning from wrist surgery during his sophomore year at Boston College, have defined his journeyman professional career.
Steven Santini Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Hockey runs deep in Steven Michael Santini’s family. His grandfather, Bob Santini, coached at Mount Saint Michael Academy in the Bronx and founded the Catholic High School Hockey League. His father, Steve, played college hockey at the University of Maine, and his uncle, Rob, played at Iona College. Steve and Rob later opened Brewster Ice Arena in Brewster, New York, where Steven spent much of his childhood.
Personal Life
Steven Michael Santini is a Catholic, and his decision to attend Boston College was influenced in part by the school’s Jesuit identity. He is the brother of three sisters, all of whom attended John F. Kennedy Catholic High School. He grew up in Brewster, New York, where the family rink became a central part of his development as a hockey player.
2025 Season Performance
Steven Michael Santini is expected to spend the 2025 season serving as captain of the Syracuse Crunch, the AHL affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning, while remaining under contract with the Lightning organization. The leadership role reflects his standing as a trusted veteran presence within the team’s defensive group.
After a productive 2023–24 season with the Ontario Reign, where he posted 5 goals and 20 points in 64 games, Santini will look to translate that two-way reliability to the Crunch lineup. His combination of defensive responsibility, penalty-killing experience, and improved offensive touch should make him a key contributor for Syracuse.
With the Tampa Bay Lightning continuing to compete at a high level, Santini’s path back to the NHL roster will depend on his continued consistency and ability to provide steady, stay-at-home play. His track record of professional durability, including recovering from wrist surgery at Boston College, suggests he will remain a dependable option for the organization throughout the 2025 campaign.