Stefan Matteau (born February 23, 1994) is an American professional ice hockey forward who is currently signed to a professional tryout agreement with the Cleveland Monsters in the American Hockey League (AHL). Matteau was born in Chicago, Illinois, but grew up in Blainville, Quebec.

Stefan Matteau
Matteau with the ERC Ingolstadt in 2022
Born (1994-02-23) February 23, 1994 (age 30)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 216 lb (98 kg; 15 st 6 lb)
Position Left wing
Shoots Left
AHL team
Former teams
Cleveland Monsters
New Jersey Devils
Montreal Canadiens
Vegas Golden Knights
Columbus Blue Jackets
Colorado Avalanche
Linköping HC
ERC Ingolstadt
NHL Draft 29th overall, 2012
New Jersey Devils
Playing career 2013–present

Playing career edit

Matteau was drafted 29th overall in the 2012 NHL Draft by the New Jersey Devils. He is described as a rugged power forward who plays a hard-nose style. Matteau debuted for the Devils on January 19, 2013, against the New York Islanders.

Matteau signed an entry-level contract with the Devils on August 14, 2012.[1] He played in his sixth NHL game on February 7, 2013, against the Tampa Bay Lightning, making his contract take effect.[2]

Matteau recorded both his first career NHL point and goal at 16:31 into the second period on February 9, 2013, against Marc-André Fleury of the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Prudential Center.[3]

During the 2015–16 season, having been unable to attain a regular forward role, Matteau was traded by the Devils to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Devante Smith-Pelly on February 29, 2016.[4]

On July 1, 2017, Matteau as a free agent signed a one-year, two-way deal the Vegas Golden Knights.[5]

After two seasons within the Golden Knights organization, Matteau left Vegas as a free agent. On August 22, 2019, Matteau was signed to a one-year AHL contract with the Cleveland Monsters, affiliate to the Columbus Blue Jackets.[6] Serving in a leadership role with the Monsters, Matteau registered 12 goals and 28 points through 50 games in the 2019–20 season, before he was signed to a two-year, two-way contract with the Blue Jackets on February 19, 2020, and was immediately recalled to join the Blue Jackets in his return to the NHL.[7] He scored his first NHL goal in more than four years in his first game with the Blue Jackets on February 20, 2020, against the Philadelphia Flyers, the same team he had scored his last NHL goal on December 4, 2015, while a member of the New Jersey Devils.

On July 29, 2021, having left the Blue Jackets organization, Matteau was signed as a free agent to a one-year, two-way contract with the Colorado Avalanche.[8] After attending the 2021 Avalanche training camp, Matteau was originally reassigned to AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles. Before making an appearance with the Eagles, Matteau was recalled by the Avalanche and made his debut in the second game of the 2021–22 season on October 16, 2021, against the St. Louis Blues.[9] During the first-period and featuring on Colorado's fourth-line, Matteau suffered a high ankle sprain which subsequently ruled him out long-term.[10]

Returning to health after four-months on the injured reserve, Matteau was reassigned to the AHL and made his Eagles debut on February 26, 2022. Remaining with the Eagles for the remainder of the campaign, Matteau added a veteran presence and contributed with 10 points through 20 games. He added 3 goals in the playoffs with the Colorado Eagles, before falling in the Pacific Division Finals against the Stockton Heat.[11]

As a free agent at the conclusion of his contract with the Avalanche, Matteau opted to sign his first contract abroad after signing a two-year deal with Swedish club, Linköping HC of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), on July 29, 2022.[12] In his first European campaign, Matteau was slow to adapt with Linköping HC, registering just 1 assist through 16 games to start the 2022–23 season. After seeking a release from his contract in the SHL, Matteau left to sign for the remainder of the season with German club, ERC Ingolstadt of the DEL, on November 17, 2022.[13]

At the conclusion of his contract with Ingolstadt, Matteau returned to North America as a free agent. On September 6, 2023, Matteau rejoined the Columbus Blue Jackets organization in accepting a professional tryout contract to attend training camp for the 2023–24 season.[14] After participating through the pre-season with the Blue Jackets, Matteau was re-assigned to continue his tryout with the Cleveland Monsters in the AHL to begin the season.[15]

International play edit

Matteau represented United States at the 2014 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.

Personal life edit

Matteau is the son of former NHL player Stéphane Matteau, who is known for scoring the double overtime game seven goal for the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference Finals against the New Jersey Devils in the 1994 playoffs.[16] His sister, Alyson Matteau currently plays professionally for the NWHL's Buffalo Beauts, after captaining the University of Maine Black Bears.[17]

Matteau was born in Chicago, when his father was a member of the Chicago Blackhawks, and lived in New York City, St. Louis, Silicon Valley and South Florida during his father's career, before his family settled in the Montreal area.

Career statistics edit

Regular season and playoffs edit

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2010–11 U.S. NTDP Juniors USHL 28 4 5 9 47 2 0 0 0 2
2010–11 U.S. NTDP U17 USDP 47 7 11 18 67
2011–12 U.S. NTDP Juniors USHL 18 6 4 10 93
2010–11 U.S. NTDP U18 USDP 46 15 17 32 166
2012–13 Blainville–Boisbriand Armada QMJHL 35 18 10 28 70 11 3 6 9 16
2012–13 New Jersey Devils NHL 17 1 2 3 6
2013–14 Albany Devils AHL 67 13 13 26 66 4 1 0 1 4
2014–15 Albany Devils AHL 61 12 15 27 40
2014–15 New Jersey Devils NHL 7 1 0 1 4
2015–16 New Jersey Devils NHL 20 1 0 1 13
2015–16 Albany Devils AHL 1 0 0 0 4
2015–16 Montreal Canadiens NHL 12 0 1 1 4
2016–17 St. John's IceCaps AHL 67 12 13 25 122 4 3 1 4 2
2017–18 Chicago Wolves AHL 60 15 12 27 57 3 0 1 1 4
2017–18 Vegas Golden Knights NHL 8 0 1 1 0
2018–19 Chicago Wolves AHL 55 5 8 13 78 21 3 5 8 22
2019–20 Cleveland Monsters AHL 50 12 16 28 41
2019–20 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 9 2 1 3 5
2020–21 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 18 1 0 1 9
2021–22 Colorado Avalanche NHL 1 0 0 0 0
2021–22 Colorado Eagles AHL 20 3 7 10 32 9 3 0 3 10
2022–23 Linköping HC SHL 16 0 1 1 18
2022–23 ERC Ingolstadt DEL 19 10 10 20 9 16 4 4 8 18
NHL totals 92 6 5 11 41

International edit

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2011 United States U17   5 2 3 5 2
2014 United States WJC 5th 5 3 1 4 10
Junior totals 10 5 4 9 12

References edit

  1. ^ "Devils Sign First-Round Draft Pick Stefan Matteau To Entry-Level Contract". CBS New New York. 2012-08-14. Retrieved 2012-08-14.
  2. ^ "Stefan Matteau plays in sixth game with Devils, can't go back to junior hockey". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2013-02-08.
  3. ^ "Adam Henrique, Bobby Butler lead Devils past Penguins". ESPN.
  4. ^ "Canadiens acquire Stefan Matteau". Montreal Canadiens. 2016-02-29. Retrieved 2016-02-29.
  5. ^ "Golden Knights sign 6 free agents". Las Vegas Sun. 2017-07-01. Retrieved 2017-07-01.
  6. ^ "Monsters sign forward Stefan Matteau to one-year AHL contract". Cleveland Monsters. August 22, 2019. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
  7. ^ "CBJ sign Stefan Matteau to two-year, two-way contract". Columbus Blue Jackets. February 19, 2020. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  8. ^ "Avalanche signs Matteau, Sikura". Colorado Avalanche. July 29, 2021. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
  9. ^ "Perron scores two goals, Blues hold on to beat Avs 5-3". ESPN. October 16, 2021. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  10. ^ "Avalanche's Stefan Matteau suffers apparent leg injury". CBS Sports. October 16, 2021. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  11. ^ "Matteau and MacDonald's long awaited return to Eagles country". Colorado Eagles. March 13, 2022. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  12. ^ "Stefan Matteau is the next signing into the squad" (in Swedish). Linköping HC. July 29, 2022. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  13. ^ "Matteau reinforces ERC" (in German). ERC Ingolstadt. November 17, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  14. ^ "Blue Jackets sign Matteau to PTO". The Hockey News. September 6, 2023. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  15. ^ "Blue Jackets trim training camp roster by 11". Columbus Blue Jackets. October 7, 2023. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  16. ^ Botte, Peter (2012-05-15). "NY Rangers' Stephane Matteau still enjoying fame earned with his Game 7 goal against NJ Devils in 1994 Eastern Conference finals". New York Daily News. Retrieved 2014-01-01.
  17. ^ "Beauts sign daughter of '94 Rangers Cup hero | Hockey | buffalonews.com". 24 June 2020.

External links edit

Awards and achievements
Preceded by New Jersey Devils first round draft pick
2012
Succeeded by