He played junior hockey for the Toronto Marlboros from 1968 to 1970 and then joined the Michigan Tech Huskies from 1970 to 1974. The Los Angeles Kings chose him 103rd overall in the 1971 NHL Amateur Draft. Stamler turned pro in 1974 with the Springfield Kings and stayed in the Los Angeles system until 1978, playing in 9 games for the NHL team. In 1978 he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs along with Dave Hutchison. Stamler played 45 games for the Leafs in 1978-79 mostly in a checking role.