Matt Kiersted

Last updated

Matt Kiersted
Born (1998-04-14) April 14, 1998 (age 26)
Elk River, Minnesota, U.S.
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 181 lb (82 kg; 12 st 13 lb)
Position Defense
Shoots Left
NHL team (P)
Cur. team
Florida Panthers
Charlotte Checkers  (AHL)
NHL draft Undrafted
Playing career 2021present

Matthew Kiersted (born April 14, 1998) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman currently playing for the Charlotte Checkers in the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect to the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Contents

Early life

Kiersted was born on April 14, 1998, in Elk River, Minnesota, [1] to parents Bob Kiersted and Candace Hartwig. He grew up as the middle child between brothers Mitch and Drew. [2] His father was friends with former ice hockey player Mark Parrish, who convinced them to let their children play the sport. [3] Kiersted graduated from Elk River High School in 2016. [4]

Playing career

Amateur

While attending Elk River High School, Kiersted committed to play collegiate ice hockey for the North Dakota Fighting Hawks men's ice hockey team. [5] As a junior, he left Elk River to play for the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League (USHL). [2]

Professional

As a free agent, Kiersted signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Florida Panthers on April 1, 2021. [6] [7] He made his NHL debut two days later, in the Panthers' 5–2 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets. [8] [9] On June 28, 2024, Kiersted signed a one-year, two-way contract to return to the Panthers. [10]

Career statistics

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2013–14 Elk River High USHS 24615212230442
2014–15Elk River HighUSHS25828363131452
2014–15 Chicago Steel USHL 110116
2015–16 Chicago SteelUSHL574192344
2016–17 Chicago SteelUSHL232121424
2017–18 University of North Dakota NCHC 2944810
2018–19 University of North DakotaNCHC367111835
2019–20 University of North DakotaNCHC336232950
2020–21 University of North DakotaNCHC293192228
2020–21 Florida Panthers NHL 70002
2021–22 Florida PanthersNHL101122
2021–22 Charlotte Checkers AHL 63515206471014
2022–23 Florida PanthersNHL201346
2022–23 Charlotte CheckersAHL496152144703316
2023–24 Charlotte CheckersAHL57411155330006
NHL totals3724610

Awards and honors

AwardYearRef
USHL
Clark Cup champion 2017
College
NCHC Second All-Star Team 2019–20 [11]
NCHC First All-Star Team 2020–21
AHCA West Second Team All-American 2020–21 [12]

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References

  1. "Matt Kiersted". Elite Prospects. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  2. 1 2 Strand, Bruce (March 21, 2015). "Athlete of the week: Matt Kiersted, Elk River, hockey: Aiming high". Hometown Source. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  3. Olive, Jameson (April 2, 2021). "Kiersted 'Ready to Make the Jump' with Panthers After NCAA Career". National Hockey League. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  4. "Matt Kiersted". North Dakota Fighting Hawks. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  5. Elliott Schlossman, Brad (April 19, 2014). "MEN'S HOCKEY: Offensive defenseman commits to UND". Grand Forks Herald. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  6. "Florida Panthers Agree to Terms with Defenseman Matt Kiersted". NHL.com. April 1, 2021. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  7. O'Leary, Dan (April 3, 2021). "Kiersted was wearing Panthers jersey from very beginning". NHL.com. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  8. Schlossman, Brad Elliott (April 3, 2021). "Matt Kiersted makes NHL debut three days after signing contract". Grand Forks Herald. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  9. Schlossman, Brad Elliott (April 1, 2021). "Matt Kiersted headed to join NHL-leading Florida Panthers". Grand Forks Herald. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  10. "Florida Panthers Agree to Terms with Defenseman Matt Kiersted to a One-Year, Two-Way Contract | Florida Panthers". www.nhl.com. June 28, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  11. "HOCKEY EAST NAMES 2019-20 ALL-STAR TEAMS". nchchockey.com. National Collegiate Hockey Conference. March 11, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  12. "Boston College, Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin lead way with three All-American college hockey players apiece for '20-21 season". USCHO.com. April 9, 2021. Retrieved April 10, 2021.