Steve Tambellini

Steve Tambellini
Born	Steven Anthony Tambellini (1958-05-14) May 14, 1958 Trail, British Columbia, Canada
Occupation(s)	Ice hockey player (retired), hockey executive, scout
Years active	1975–1990s (player), 1990s–present (executive/scout)
Known for	Former general manager of the Edmonton Oilers (2008–2013)

Steven Anthony Tambellini (born May 14, 1958) is a retired Canadian ice hockey player and former general manager of the Edmonton Oilers from 2008 to 2013. He is currently employed as a scout for the Anaheim Ducks.

Playing career

Tambellini competed in junior hockey with the Lethbridge Broncos of the WCHL between 1975 and 1978, accumulating 155 goals and 181 assists over 193 games. During the 1975–76 season, he was honored with the WCHL Rookie of the Year award.

Selected 15th overall by the New York Islanders in the 1978 NHL Entry Draft, Tambellini was part of the team that secured the Stanley Cup in 1980. The following season, he was traded to the Colorado Rockies at the trade deadline. He remained with the franchise through its transition to the New Jersey Devils in 1982, notably scoring the first hat trick in the new team's history on December 3, 1982. After completing the 1982–83 season, Tambellini was traded to the Calgary Flames, where he spent two seasons before signing with the Vancouver Canucks as a free agent, marking the end of his NHL playing days. Additionally, he had short tenures in Swiss and Austrian professional hockey leagues.

International play

Tambellini represented Canada on three occasions: at the 1978 World Junior Championship—where he earned a bronze medal—the World Hockey Championship, and during the 1988 Winter Olympics held in Calgary, where he contributed one goal and three assists.

After retirement

Following his playing career, Tambellini joined the Vancouver Canucks organization as director of public and media relations. He later advanced to senior vice-president of hockey operations in 1997 and then vice-president of player personnel in 1998, overseeing scouting and player development. He served as assistant general manager under both Dave Nonis and Mike Gillis until April 2008.

Tambellini also acted as director of player personnel for Canada's gold medal-winning squad at the 2002 Winter Olympics and fulfilled similar responsibilities during the 2003 World Junior Championships and the 2004 World Cup of Hockey. In recognition of his contributions to hockey, he was inducted into the British Columbia Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004.

On July 31, 2008, Tambellini was named general manager of the Edmonton Oilers following Kevin Lowe's elevation to president of hockey operations. His tenure ended on April 13, 2013, when he was replaced by Craig MacTavish. Later that year, in November 2013, he joined the Anaheim Ducks organization as a part-time scout.

Personal life

Tambellini's father, Addie Tambellini, played a key role in helping the Trail Smoke Eaters secure victory at the 1961 World Ice Hockey Championships, marking the last time a Canadian amateur team won this title. His eldest son, Jeff Tambellini, was selected 27th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft and took on roles as head coach and general manager of the BCHL's Trail Smoke Eaters starting in 2018. His younger son, Adam Tambellini, was drafted 65th overall by the New York Rangers during the 2013 NHL Draft and currently competes for Rogle BK in the Swedish Hockey League.

International

Year	Team	Tournament		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1978	Canada	WJC		6	2	2	4	0
1981	Canada	WC		8	0	3	3	4
1988	Canada	OLY		8	1	3	4	2
Junior career totals				6	2	2	4	0
Senior career totals				16	1	6	7	6