Kammala jumla mai zuwa: An ba Stephens babban matsayi a matsayin matashi dan wasa kuma an zaba shi na farko a cikin tsarin shigar da Ontario Hockey League, kuma ya sami shahararren ƙasa don rawar da ya taka a tallan kamfanin Esquire Swiss Watch. An zaɓe shi a zagaye na biyu na NHL Entry Draft na 1999 ta Washington Capitals, amma bai sanya hannu tare da su ba kuma a ƙarshe an sake tsara shi a cikin
2001 da Colorado Avalanche suka yi.