Matt Nickerson

Last updated

Matt Nickerson
Nickerson Matt Ilves 2008 2.jpg
Born (1985-01-11) January 11, 1985 (age 38)
Old Lyme, Connecticut, U.S.
Height 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight 235 lb (107 kg; 16 st 11 lb)
Position Defense
Shot Right
Mestis team
Former teams		 TuTo Turku
Milton Keynes Lightning
KooKoo
Ässät
Iowa Stars
Idaho Steelheads
Ilves
Malmö Redhawks
Springfield Falcons
Fife Flyers
Belfast Giants
NHL Draft 99th overall, 2003
Dallas Stars
Playing career 2005–2019

Matt Nickerson (born January 11, 1985) is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman who last played for Finnish second tier side TuTo Turku. He previously played for three teams in the UK's EIHL. [1]

Contents

Playing career

Nickerson played for the Texas Tornado of the North American Hockey League during the 2001–02 and 2002–03 seasons. It was during his final season with the team that Nickerson drew the attention of NHL scouts, and in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft the Dallas Stars drafted Nickerson in the third round with the 99th overall pick. Nickerson spent his next season at Clarkson University, where he racked up 179 penalty minutes in 38 games. Nickerson signed a three-year entry level contract before playing in Victoriaville. Due to the NHL lockout, he was sent to the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's Victoriaville Tigres, and finally turned pro in the Finnish SM-liiga, playing with Ässät.

Started 2005-2006 in the Dallas Stars training camp where he scored a goal on Ty Conklin in an NHL exhibition game versus the Edmonton Oilers. Nickerson was then assigned to Iowa of the AHL where he played 4 exhibition games, registering one fighting major, before ending up in Pori, Finland. In his first season with Ässät, Nickerson broke the league record for penalty minutes in the regular season, with 236 total. [2] He was assessed a match penalty for fighting in October 2005, [3] and was suspended for three games for fighting and unsportsmanlike conduct on November 2, 2005. [4]

After his first stint in SM-liiga Nickerson returned to North America for the 2006–07 season and played for the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL and the Iowa Stars of the AHL, both affiliates of the Dallas Stars. He earned a 16-game suspension during his 12 games in Idaho. After a season in North America, Nickerson returned to Pori and joined Ässät for the second time in his career. On October 20, 2007, he was suspended for three games for attacking TPS forward Teemu Laine. [5] While serving this suspension, he attacked Ilves defenseman Kevin Kantee in the locker room area of the Ässät arena on October 27, receiving an additional five-game suspension. [6] Nickerson has turned out to be a fan favourite in Pori during his stints in Finland. In February 2008 Nickerson was transferred from Ässät to Ilves. On February 4, he received a match penalty for fighting in the Ilves-Blues game. [7]

For the 2009-2010 season, he signed with the Edmonton Oilers organization but played just 19 games for the AHL's Springfield Falcons and was released without ever playing for the Oilers. Nickerson had a try-out with Danish team Esbjerg IK in November 2010 but failed to secure a contract. The Fife Flyers confirmed the signing of Matt Nickerson for the 2013/14 Rapid Solicitors Elite Ice Hockey League season. Nickerson quickly became a fan favorite at Fife where his tough edge added some much needed backbone to a team which had been bullied on the ice in the past. Playing 45 games in his first season he was an integral part in the run to the EIHL playoff semi final game where Fife lost to Belfast by 1-0. His unending desire to stand up for his team mates earned great respect from the Fife support although he did draw the attention of the EIHL referees and in December 2013 he was handed a 12-game suspension (which was reduced upon appeal) for a fight during a game against the Braehead Clan. As part of the Fife Flyers community outreach program Nickerson and team mates visited the children's hospice in Kinross operated by C.H.A.S. Touched by the work carried out by the charity Nickerson offered to let fans shave off his impressive trademark beard to raise money for the hospice. This charitable act received many plaudits from across the UK hockey community.

On 3 June 2017, after two years with the Belfast Giants, Nickerson joined EIHL newcomers Milton Keynes Lightning ahead of their inaugural Elite League season. [8] [9] During his time with the Lightning, Nickerson received a 20 game ban for abusing an official and punching a fan, [10] and was released by the club the following day. [11]

Career statistics

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2001–02 Texas Tornado NAHL 471121397—————
2002–03Texas TornadoNAHL4762329277—————
2003–04 Clarkson University ECAC 385914179—————
2004–05 Victoriaville Tigres QMJHL 4811112182601127
2005–06 Ässät SM-liiga 3658132361410150
2006–07 Iowa Stars AHL4003397—————
2006–07 Idaho Steelheads ECHL 1311273—————
2007–08 ÄssätSM-liiga25167106—————
2007–08 Ilves SM-liiga1333639902224
2008–09 Malmö Redhawks Allsv 612318—————
2008–09 IlvesSM-liiga4011215631010
2009–10 Springfield Falcons AHL 1901144—————
2012–13 KooKoo Mestis 4111112154—————
2013–14 Fife Flyers EIHL 4027930740116
2014–15 Fife FlyersEIHL462151719220004
2015–16 Belfast Giants EIHL353699320000
2016–17 Belfast GiantsEIHL51212147731016
2017–18 Milton Keynes Lightning EIHL36246150—————
2018–19 TUTO Hockey Mestis35167150702263
SM-liiga totals1141018285372622474
EIHL totals2081144558191111216

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References

  1. ↑ https://eliteleague.co.uk/lightning-sign-matt-nickerson/ [ dead link ]
  2. ↑ Matt Nickerson palaa Poriin - SM-LIIGA - 09.10.2006 - Uutiset - Jatkoaika.com - Kaikki jääkiekosta
  3. ↑ Laatikaiselle kaksi ottelua pannaa, muut selvisivät ilman lisäsanktioita - SM-LIIGA - 17.10.2005 - Uutiset - Jatkoaika.com - Kaikki jääkiekosta
  4. ↑ Nickersonille kolmen ottelun panna, Ässille sakot - SM-LIIGA - 11.11.2005 - Uutiset - Jatkoaika.com - Kaikki jääkiekosta
  5. ↑ Nickersonille kolmen ottelun huili - SM-LIIGA - 22.10.2007 - Uutiset - Jatkoaika.com - Kaikki jääkiekosta
  6. ↑ Nickersonille pelikielto, Ässille sakot - SM-LIIGA - 30.10.2007 - Uutiset - Jatkoaika.com - Kaikki jääkiekosta
  7. ↑ Jääkiekko - MTV3.fi
  8. ↑ http://www.britishicehockey.co.uk/eihl/milton-keynes-lightning/nickerson-joins-eihl-new-boys/ [ dead link ]
  9. ↑ "MKL add former NHL draft pick Nickerson | Milton Keynes Lightning". Archived from the original on 1 February 2018. Retrieved 3 June 2017.
  10. ↑ "Sean Blanchard signs for the season". BBC. 31 January 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  11. ↑ "Nickerson sacked after punching a fan". BBC Sport.
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