Remembering Patrik Stefan’s empty-net gaffe on its 10th anniversary

Ten years ago Wednesday, Patrik Stefan made NHL infamy.

The former Dallas Stars and Atlanta Thrashers forward was a first overall pick of the now-Winnipeg Jets in 1999, but he'll forever be more widely remembered for an on-ice blunder that both cost his team a sure goal and led to an opposing one.

In the waning moments of regulation with the Stars leading the Edmonton Oilers 5-4 on Jan. 4, 2007, Stefan had a golden opportunity to seal the victory with an empty-netter ... when this happened:

The Stars ended up winning in a shootout, but let's be honest, no one remembers that.

Thanks to a largely forgettable career and Stefan's status as one of the biggest draft busts in NHL history, the misplay will continue serving as a microcosm of his pro-hockey tenure, although multiple concussions and a slew of other injuries undoubtedly impacted his ability to perform at a high level.

Stefan was out of the NHL after that 2006-07 season, playing three games in the Swiss league in 2007-08 before hanging up his skates.

He's now an agent in Michigan, and gave George Sipple of the Detroit Free Press some perspective when asked about his NHL legacy last January.

“I enjoyed the career I had,” Stefan said. “I had almost 500 (NHL) games. It wasn’t the career I wanted to (have), but I got to play in the NHL. I think people forget it’s really hard to make it to the NHL, and it’s even harder to stay there.”

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