Matt Dumba

Matt Dumba
Dumba with the Iowa Wild in 2015
Born	(1994-07-25) July 25, 1994 (age 30) Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	183 lb (83 kg; 13 st 1 lb)
Position	Defence
Shoots	Right
NHL team Former teams	Dallas Stars Minnesota Wild Arizona Coyotes Tampa Bay Lightning
National team	Canada
NHL draft	7th overall, 2012 Minnesota Wild
Playing career	2013–present

Mathew Dumba (born July 25, 1994) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League (NHL). Dumba was selected with the seventh overall pick by the Minnesota Wild in the first round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, with whom he spent his first 10 seasons. Dumba previously played junior with the Red Deer Rebels and briefly for the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League (WHL).

Early life

Dumba is of Filipino (maternal) and Romanian and German (paternal) descent. ^[1] He was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, and learned to skate at age three. ^[2] His family later moved to Calgary, Alberta, where he played his minor hockey in Calgary with the Crowchild Minor Hockey Association. ^[3] Dumba spent the 2009–10 season with the Edge School for Athletes in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League. ^[4]

Playing career

Junior

The Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League (WHL) selected Dumba with their first-round selection, fourth overall, in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft from the Calgary Bronks AAA Organization. ^[5] He made his WHL debut in 2009–10, his 15-year-old season, appearing in six regular season games and two playoff games for the Rebels. Joining the Rebels full-time in 2010–11, Dumba scored 15 goals and 26 points and was a player whom his coach said was noticeable every time he was on the ice. His performance during the season earned Dumba the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as the WHL's rookie-of-the-year. ^[6]

Returning to the Rebels for the 2011–12 WHL season, Dumba scored 20 goals and 57 points in 69 games. He was the youngest player invited to the selection camp for the 2012 World Junior Hockey Championship, however he failed to make the team. ^[7] However, he continued to impress scouts and observers with his play. Don Hay was one of several WHL coaches to praise Dumba for his enthusiasm on the ice and hard-checking style: "He's a guy who can do all aspects of the game ... he's a very dynamic player with or without the puck. Yes, he can lay out a good bodycheck, but he can also score the overtime winning goal." ^[3]

Dumba's play in the WHL resulted in him being rated as one of the top prospects for the 2012 NHL entry draft. NHL Central Scouting ranked him as the 11th best prospect for the draft, while International Scouting Services ranked him 5th overall. ^[8] The Minnesota Wild selected him in the first round, seventh overall, ^[9] and signed him to an NHL contract a month later. ^[10] Dumba was returned to the Rebels to begin the 2012–13 WHL season, in part due to a labour dispute between the NHL and its players. When the NHL's dispute was resolved, the Wild intended to give him a brief look at their training camp. Dumba impressed the team's coaching staff enough to earn a spot on the Wild's opening-night roster, ^[11] however, he was returned to Red Deer four games into the NHL season without having played with the Wild. ^[12]

Professional

Minnesota Wild

Dumba earned a spot in the Wild lineup to start the 2013–14 season and made his NHL debut on October 5, 2013, against the Anaheim Ducks, becoming the second player of Filipino descent to play in the NHL, after Tim Stapleton. ^[13] He scored his first NHL goal on October 12 against Dan Ellis of the Dallas Stars. ^[14] He recorded only two points in 13 games by December and the Wild loaned Dumba to the Canadian junior team for the 2014 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. While Dumba was with the national team, the Rebels traded his WHL rights to the Portland Winterhawks and the Wild assigned him to Portland upon his return from the World Junior Championship. ^[15]

In the 2015–16 season, Dumba had a breakout year, playing every game but one with the Minnesota Wild, seeing career highs in goals, assists, points, and penalty minutes with 10 goals, 16 assists, 26 points and 38 PIMS. The Wild also played an outdoor game against the Chicago Blackhawks at TCF Bank Stadium as part of the NHL Stadium Series. Dumba got the scoring going early as he trailed the play after Ryan Carter had a breakaway, Carter had his shot saved and his rebound saved as well but Dumba poked in the third chance for his ninth goal of the season to give the Wild a 1–0 lead. ^[16] The Wild went on to beat the Blackhawks 6–1. ^[16] He played 81 out of the 82 games that season, missing only a 3–0 loss to the San Jose Sharks as a healthy scratch by coach John Torchetti. ^[17]

On July 28, 2016, he re-signed to a two-year, $5.1M bridge deal with the Wild. ^[18] After not getting off to a good start for the Wild, new head coach Bruce Boudreau opted to scratch Dumba on October 20 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The plan was foiled, however, when Marco Scandella became sick, forcing Dumba into the lineup. After that he played alongside All-Star defenseman Ryan Suter on the first defensive pairing and saw increased responsibilities and ice time. He averaged 21:48 per game alongside Suter. ^[19] His 2017–18 season saw Dumba set new personal bests with 14 goals, 36 assists, and 50 points. On July 21, 2018, Dumba signed a five-year, $30 million contract extension with the Wild, carrying an annual average of $6 million. ^[20]

On June 8, 2020, Dumba became an inaugural executive board member of the Hockey Diversity Alliance, whose goal is to address intolerance and racism in hockey. ^[21] Dumba was named the 2020 King Clancy Award winner by the NHL for his efforts supporting community initiatives in Minneapolis and as a member of the Hockey Diversity Alliance. ^[22] During the 2022–23 season, Dumba scored four goals and 14 points in 79 games and was third in ice time among Wild defencemen. ^[23]

Arizona Coyotes

After the Wild chose to not re-sign Dumba during the 2023 off-season, Dumba signed as an unrestricted free agent to a one-year, $3.9 million contract with the Arizona Coyotes on August 7, 2023. ^[23] Dumba made his Arizona debut on October 13, 2023 versus the New Jersey Devils. He scored his first goal in a Coyotes' uniform on Akira Schmid to open the scoring in the 4–3 victory over the Devils. ^[24] He played in 58 games for Arizona, scoring four goals and ten points. ^[25]

Tampa Bay Lightning

On March 8, 2024, the Coyotes traded Dumba along with a 2025 seventh-round pick to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round pick. ^[25] He made his Lightning debut on March 9 in a 7–0 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. ^[26] Dumba recorded his first point with the Lightning, an assist on Michael Eyssimont's goal in the first period, in a 7–4 win over the Montreal Canadiens on April 4, 2024. ^[27] He played in 18 regular season games with Tampa Bay, registering two points. ^[28] Dumba made his 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs debut with the Lightning on April 21 in 3–2 loss to the Florida Panthers in the opening round. ^[29] He played in five playoff games with the Lightning, finishing second on the team in blocked shots with seven as the Lightning were eliminated from the postseason. ^{[28] [30]}

Dallas Stars

On July 1, 2024, Dumba signed as an unrestricted free agent to a two-year, $7.5 million contract with the Dallas Stars. ^[28]

International play

Medal record
Representing   Canada
Ice hockey
World U18 Championships
	2012 Czech Republic
IIHF World Championship
	2016 Russia

Dumba made his debut with the national team program at the 2011 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. He was named captain of the under-18 national team and led Canada to a gold medal victory. ^[31]

The 18-year-old Dumba participated in his second national junior team camp ahead of the 2013 World Junior Championship, but was among the final cuts and did not make the team. ^[32]

Dumba was loaned from the Wild to the Canadian junior team for the 2014 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. ^[33] He narrowly avoided a suspension after being ejected from a pre-tournament game for kneeing a Swedish opponent, ^[34] and recorded one assist in seven tournament games for the fourth-place Canadians. ^[35]

Following the 2015–16 season, Dumba made his first appearance with Canada's national men's team, playing in all ten games at the 2016 World Championships where Canada repeated as gold medallists. ^[19]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2009–10	Red Deer Rebels	WHL		6	0	2	2	4		2	0	0	0	4
2010–11	Red Deer Rebels	WHL		62	15	11	26	83		9	2	0	2	20
2011–12	Red Deer Rebels	WHL		69	20	37	57	67		—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	Red Deer Rebels	WHL		62	16	26	42	80		9	2	2	4	14
2012–13	Houston Aeros	AHL		3	0	0	0	2		5	0	0	0	0
2013–14	Minnesota Wild	NHL		13	1	1	2	2		—	—	—	—	—
2013–14	Portland Winterhawks	WHL		26	8	16	24	37		21	8	10	18	33
2014–15	Minnesota Wild	NHL		58	8	8	16	23		10	2	2	4	2
2014–15	Iowa Wild	AHL		20	5	9	14	6		—	—	—	—	—
2015–16	Minnesota Wild	NHL		81	10	16	26	38		6	0	2	2	6
2016–17	Minnesota Wild	NHL		76	11	23	34	59		5	0	0	0	2
2017–18	Minnesota Wild	NHL		82	14	36	50	41		5	1	1	2	4
2018–19	Minnesota Wild	NHL		32	12	10	22	21		—	—	—	—	—
2019–20	Minnesota Wild	NHL		69	6	18	24	41		4	0	1	1	2
2020–21	Minnesota Wild	NHL		51	6	15	21	46		7	1	2	3	17
2021–22	Minnesota Wild	NHL		57	7	20	27	47		6	1	0	1	2
2022–23	Minnesota Wild	NHL		79	4	10	14	81		6	0	2	2	4
2023–24	Arizona Coyotes	NHL		58	4	6	10	55		—	—	—	—	—
2023–24	Tampa Bay Lightning	NHL		18	0	2	2	33		5	0	0	0	0
NHL totals				674	83	165	248	487		54	5	10	15	39

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2011	Canada	IH18			5	2	1	3	2
2012	Canada	U18			7	5	7	12	20
2014	Canada	WJC	4th		7	0	1	1	12
2016	Canada	WC			10	1	1	2	2
Junior totals					19	7	9	16	34
Senior totals					10	1	1	2	2

Awards and honours

Award	Year	Ref
WHL
Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy	2010–11	[6]
NHL
King Clancy Memorial Trophy	2019–20	[22]

References

1. Doyle, Mike (July 14, 2014). "Passion On Ice". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on September 23, 2017. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
2. Edmonds, Scott (April 13, 2012). "Red Deer Rebels' Mathew Dumba captains Canada at under-18 world championship". Global News Toronto. Archived from the original on February 16, 2013. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
3. Potenteau, Doyle (Spring 2012). "Defensive Posture". Prospects Hockey: WHL2–7.
4. "Canadian Sport School Hockey League (Design, Hosting, Registration & Administration tools by esportsdeskpro.com)". csshl.ca. Archived from the original on July 16, 2013.
5. Flett, Cory; Watts, Jessie (eds.). "2008–09 WHL Guide". Prospects Hockey. Western Hockey League: 104. ISSN   1703-7182.
6. Morreale, Mike G. (October 27, 2011). "Top WHL draft prospects coming from the blue line". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on February 16, 2013. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
7. "7 players cut from Canada's world junior squad". CBC Sports. December 13, 2011. Archived from the original on February 19, 2013. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
8. Hall, Vicki (June 20, 2012). "Day of destiny". Calgary Herald . p. C1.
9. Cruickshank, Scott (June 23, 2012). "Wild night for local Dumba". Calgary Herald . p. E1.
10. "Wild sign teen Matt Dumba, their first round pick". National Hockey League. July 19, 2012. Archived from the original on February 16, 2013. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
11. Goessling, Ben (January 17, 2013). "Minnesota Wild: Matt Dumba, 18, earns a roster spot, for now" . St. Paul Pioneer Press . Retrieved January 20, 2013.
12. Korac, Louie (January 27, 2013). "Wild sending Dumba back to Red Deer". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on February 16, 2013. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
13. DeFranks, Matthew (April 27, 2022) [2019-08-04]. "Flashback: Stars prospect Jason Robertson hasn't forgotten his roots while forging his own NHL path" . The Dallas Morning News . Retrieved July 2, 2024.
14. "Rookies Fontaine, Dumba lead Wild past Stars, 5-1". ESPN . Associated Press. October 12, 2013. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
15. Odom, Joel (January 7, 2014). "Mathew Dumba to join Portland Winterhawks" . The Oregonian . Retrieved January 7, 2014.
16. Campbell, Dan (February 21, 2016). "NHL outdoor game: Wild crush Blackhawks at TCF Bank Stadium". CBC Sports . Associated Press . Retrieved November 20, 2023.
17. Halford, Mike (April 5, 2016). "Dumba healthy scratched as Wild look to clinch playoff spot". NBC Sports . Retrieved November 20, 2023.
18. "Wild Agrees To Terms With Matt Dumba On A Two-Year Contract". Minnesota Wild. July 28, 2016. Archived from the original on July 30, 2016. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
19. Prewitt, Alex (November 18, 2016). "Q&A: Wild defenseman Matt Dumba talks Mighty Ducks, big minutes and Scott Stevens". Sports Illustrated . Retrieved November 21, 2016.
20. Blinn, Michael (July 21, 2018). "Wild Sign Defenseman Matt Dumba to Five-Year, $30 Million Contract". Sports Illustrated . Retrieved November 20, 2023.
21. "Hockey Diversity Alliance formed by seven current, former NHL players" (Press release). National Hockey League. June 8, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
22. "Wild's Matt Dumba named winner of 2020 King Clancy Memorial Trophy". Sportsnet . September 6, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
23. "Dumba signs 1-year contract with Coyotes" (Press release). National Hockey League. August 7, 2023. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
24. "Bjugstad and Schmaltz score in shootout as Coyotes beat Devils 4-3". ESPN. Associated Press. October 13, 2023. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
25. "Lightning acquire D Matt Dumba and a 2025 seventh-round pick from Arizona" (Press release). Tampa Bay Lightning. March 8, 2024. Retrieved March 9, 2024– via NHL.com.
26. Encina, Eduardo A. (March 9, 2024). "3 keys to Lightning's dominant shutout win over the Flyers". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
27. "Kucherov, Lightning defeat Canadiens, gain in Atlantic". National Hockey League. April 4, 2024. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
28. "Stars sign Matt Dumba to a two-year contract". Dallas Stars. July 1, 2024. Retrieved July 15, 2024– via NHL.com.
29. "Verhaeghe scores in 3rd period, Panthers edge Lightning in Game 1". National Hockey League. April 21, 2024. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
30. "Panthers win Battle of Florida, eliminate Lightning in five games". Sportsnet. Associated Press. April 29, 2024. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
31. Ward, Mitch (August 18, 2011). "Defenceman Dumba impressive at Hlinka Tournament, camp". TSN . Archived from the original on February 19, 2013. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
32. Siegel, Jonas (December 14, 2012). "Dumba among eight players released from team". TSN . Archived from the original on December 17, 2012. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
33. Harrison, Doug (December 11, 2013). "Matt Dumba assigned to Canada for world juniors". CBC Sports . Retrieved July 5, 2024.
34. Shulman, Michael (December 23, 2013). "Canada's Matt Dumba escapes world junior ban: reports". CBC Sports . Retrieved July 5, 2024.
35. "2014 – Malmo, Sweden". TSN . Archived from the original on January 7, 2014. Retrieved January 7, 2014.

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com , or  Eliteprospects.com , or  Eurohockey.com , or  Hockey-Reference.com , or  The Internet Hockey Database

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins	Winner of the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy 2010–11	Succeeded by Sam Reinhart
Preceded by Zack Phillips	Minnesota Wild first round draft pick 2012	Succeeded by Alex Tuch
Preceded by Jason Zucker	King Clancy Memorial Trophy winner 2020	Succeeded by Pekka Rinne