Kammala wannan jumla: An dauki Stevens a matsayin na biyar a cikin
1982 NHL Entry Draft da Washington Capitals suka yi. Saboda raunin da ya faru da wasu 'yan wasa a lokacin sansanin horo, Stevens ya sanya tawagar a lokacin da yake da shekaru 18 kuma bai taba buga wasa ba a cikin kananan kungiyoyi. Ya yi tasiri nan da nan, ya zira kwallaye a wasan farko a wasan NHL na farko. Ya zira kwallaye 25 a kakar wasansa ta farko kuma ya shiga Kungiyar All-Rookie. Bugu da kari, ya jagoranci dukkan masu kare 'yan wasa a cikin minti na horo. Ya gama na uku a zaben Calder Memorial Trophy, wanda aka baiwa Rookie of the Year. Har ila yau, an kira shi Rookie na shekara ta Capitals. Farkon Stevens tare da Capitals ya zo daidai da bayyanar wasan farko na ƙungiyar, kodayake an fitar da su a zagaye na farko ta New York Islanders.