Matt Niskanen

Last updated

Matt Niskanen
Matt Niskanen 2018-04-29.jpg
Niskanen with the Washington Capitals in April 2018
Born (1986-12-06) December 6, 1986 (age 37)
Virginia, Minnesota, U.S.
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 204 lb (93 kg; 14 st 8 lb)
Position Defense
Shot Right
Played for Dallas Stars
Pittsburgh Penguins
Washington Capitals
Philadelphia Flyers
National teamFlag of the United States.svg  United States
NHL draft 28th overall, 2005
Dallas Stars [1]
Playing career 2007–2020

Matthew Norman Niskanen (born December 6, 1986) is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman. He played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, and Philadelphia Flyers from 2007 to 2020.

Contents

He was drafted by the Stars in the first round, 28th overall, in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. Niskanen won the Stanley Cup as a member of the Capitals in 2018.

Early life

Niskanen is American-Finn and he has roots from Finland. [2] [3]

Niskanen played ice hockey for Virginia High School in the Minnesota State High School League from 2003 to 2005, [4] and was on the Blue Devils' roster at their first state hockey tournament appearance in 2005. [5] In addition to hockey, Niskanen played baseball and American football, [6] and appeared in the state quarterfinals for the Mountain Iron-Buhl Rangers nine-man football team in 2004. [5] He chose to commit to hockey after his high school graduation, citing it as his strongest sport. [6]

Playing career

Amateur

Niskanen attended the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD). At the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, he was selected in the first round, 28th overall, by the Dallas Stars.

In 2005-06, his freshman season for the Bulldogs men's ice hockey team, he recorded 14 points in 38 games. Before that, Niskanen played for the Virginia/Mountain Iron-Buhl boys' hockey team and helped bring the Blue Devils to their first state high school tournament appearance in school history. During 2006–07, his sophomore season at UMD, he scored 9 goals and 22 assists in 39 games. Niskanen was named to the 2006–07 All WCHA First Team, [7] and the All WCHA academic Team. [8]

Niskanen decided to leave college and turn professional after his sophomore season at UMD. [9] On March 19, 2007, he signed an amateur tryout contract with the Iowa Stars—the Dallas Stars' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate at the time—for the remainder of the 2006–07 season. He later signed a three-year NHL contract with the Dallas Stars which began in 2007–08. He subsequently made the Stars' 2007–08 NHL roster out of training camp.

Professional

Niskanen in March 2009 with the Stars. Matt Niskanen.JPG
Niskanen in March 2009 with the Stars.

Dallas Stars

Niskanen made his NHL regular season debut against the Colorado Avalanche on October 3, 2007 to open the 2007–08 season. He recorded his first NHL points against the Boston Bruins two nights later with two assists. His first NHL goal came on October 29, 2007, against the San Jose Sharks. Niskanen had an excellent rookie start with the Stars, leading the team in plus/minus at mid-season, which resulted in his being invited to the Young Stars game during the 2008 NHL All-Star weekend.

Pittsburgh Penguins

On February 21, 2011, Niskanen was traded (along with teammate James Neal) to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for defenseman Alex Goligoski. [10]

During the 2013–14 season, on March 4, 2014, Niskanen had his first multi-goal game with a two-goal effort in a 3–1 win over the Nashville Predators away at the Bridgestone Arena. [11] In the final year of his contract with the Penguins and approaching free agency, Niskanen finished the season establishing new career highs in goals (10) and assists (36) for 46 points.

Washington Capitals

Niskanen (#2) defends the goal area during a shot to prevent Sidney Crosby (far left) from getting a rebound in May 2017. Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, Bryan Rust (33744033514).jpg
Niskanen (#2) defends the goal area during a shot to prevent Sidney Crosby (far left) from getting a rebound in May 2017.

On July 1, 2014, Niskanen signed a seven-year, $40.25 million contract as a free agent with the Washington Capitals. [12]

In the 2017–18 season, Niskanen continued to play top-four pairing minutes with the Capitals, posting 7 goals and 29 points in 68 games. He recorded nine points and appeared in all 24 games of the playoffs while logging over 25 minutes of ice time to help the Washington Capitals claim their first Stanley Cup.

Returning for his 12th season in the NHL in 2018–19, Niskanen contributed with 8 goals and 17 assists for 25 points in 80 regular season games for the Capitals. He posted 2 assists in 7 playoff games; the Capitals exited the playoffs with a first-round defeat to the Carolina Hurricanes.

Philadelphia Flyers

On June 14, 2019, with two-years still remaining on his contract, Niskanen was traded by the Capitals to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for defenceman Radko Gudas. [13] In the 2019–20 season, Niskanen played alongside Ivan Provorov on the Flyers' top pairing and placed second among Flyers defensemen with 33 points in 68 games. On February 21, Niskanen was fined $5,000 USD, the maximum allowable under the NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement, for a slashing penalty against Columbus Blue Jackets forward Gustav Nyquist. [14] At the time that the 2019–20 NHL season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Niskanen had recorded 124 hits, 84 blocked shots, and eight goals. [15]

During the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs, Niskanen was suspended for one game for a cross-check against Montreal Canadiens winger Brendan Gallagher that fractured Gallagher's jaw. [16] Niskanen produced one goal and one assist in 15 postseason games for Philadelphia.

With one season remaining on his contract, Niskanen announced his sudden retirement from professional hockey on October 5, 2020, at the age of 33. [17] His agent Neil Sheehy reported that the decision resulted from uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and the medical protocols taken by the NHL. [18]

International play

Niskanen has represented the United States at various international competitions at the junior and professional level. His first time representing the United States in international competition was at the 2006 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. In 2016, he was chosen to represent the United States in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, along with fellow Capitals John Carlson and T. J. Oshie,. [19]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

   Regular season   Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2003–04 Virginia High School HS-MN 3224376128—————
2004–05Virginia High SchoolHS-MN2927386534—————
2005–06 University of Minnesota Duluth WCHA 381131440—————
2006–07 University of Minnesota DuluthWCHA399223142—————
2006–07 Iowa Stars AHL 1303361225710
2007–08 Dallas Stars NHL 7871926361603310
2008–09 Dallas StarsNHL806293552—————
2009–10 Dallas StarsNHL743121518—————
2010–11 Dallas StarsNHL4506630—————
2010–11 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL181342070110
2011–12 Pittsburgh PenguinsNHL75417214741236
2012–13 Pittsburgh PenguinsNHL4041014121502211
2013–14 Pittsburgh PenguinsNHL8110364651132798
2014–15 Washington Capitals NHL824273147140440
2015–16 Washington CapitalsNHL825273238120336
2016–17 Washington CapitalsNHL7853439321313419
2017–18 Washington CapitalsNHL687222936241898
2018–19 Washington CapitalsNHL80817254170220
2019–20 Philadelphia Flyers NHL688253329151126
NHL totals949722843564891406364274

International

YearTeamEventResult GPGAPtsPIM
2006 United States WJC 4th70006
2009 United States WC 4th91232
2016 United States WCH 7th30000
Junior totals70006
Senior totals121232

Awards and honors

AwardYear
College
All-WCHA First Team 2007
NHL
NHL YoungStars Game 2008
Stanley Cup champion 2018 [20]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Washington Capitals</span> National Hockey League team in Washington, D.C.

The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. The Capitals compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference and is owned by Ted Leonsis through Monumental Sports & Entertainment. The team initially played its home games at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland, before moving to the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., in 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Recchi</span> Canadian ice hockey player, coach (b. 1968)

Mark Louis Recchi is a Canadian former professional ice hockey winger and current assistant coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the fourth round, 67th overall, by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft and played a total of 22 seasons in the NHL for the Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, Montreal Canadiens, Carolina Hurricanes, Atlanta Thrashers, Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins. Recchi won the Stanley Cup three times in his playing career: in 1991 with the Penguins, in 2006 with the Hurricanes, and in 2011 with the Bruins. During the 2010-11 season, Recchi was the last active player who had played in the NHL in the 1980s. Subsequently, in Game 2 of the 2011 Finals, Recchi became the oldest player ever to score in a Stanley Cup Finals game at age 43. On June 26, 2017, in his fourth year of eligibility, Recchi was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dave Tippett</span> Canadian ice hockey player and coach

David G. Tippett is a Canadian former professional ice hockey coach and player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Richards (ice hockey)</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1985)

Michael Richards is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Richards played 11 National Hockey League (NHL) seasons, spending time with the Philadelphia Flyers, Los Angeles Kings, and Washington Capitals.

Derek John Plante is an American ice hockey coach and former professional ice hockey player. Plante played eight seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Buffalo Sabres, Dallas Stars, Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers. He was a member of the 1999 Stanley Cup champion Dallas Stars. He was an assistant coach at the University of Minnesota-Duluth from 2010-2015 before returning to the program as associate head coach in 2020, a position he holds to this day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Neal (ice hockey)</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1987)

James Neal is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He has previously played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, Nashville Predators, Vegas Golden Knights, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, and St. Louis Blues.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maxime Talbot</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1984)

Maxime Talbot is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, Colorado Avalanche and Boston Bruins. He was drafted into the NHL out of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) by the Pittsburgh Penguins, 234th overall, in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. He led the Hull/Gatineau Olympiques to back-to-back President's Cups while earning the Guy Lafleur Trophy as playoff MVP both years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Carle</span> American ice hockey player (born 1984)

Matthew Carle is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman. Carle played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the San Jose Sharks, Tampa Bay Lightning, Philadelphia Flyers and Nashville Predators. He was originally drafted by the San Jose Sharks in the second round, 47th overall, in 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">T. J. Oshie</span> American ice hockey player (born 1986)

Timothy Leif "T. J." Oshie is an American professional ice hockey right winger and alternate captain for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the St. Louis Blues in the first round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, as the 24th overall pick. He then spent the first seven years of his NHL career with the Blues before being traded to the Washington Capitals in 2015. Oshie won the Stanley Cup as a member of the Capitals in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kris Letang</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1987)

Kristopher Joseph Pierre Irwin Letang is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and alternate captain for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL). He played juniors in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) for three seasons, during which time he was selected 62nd overall by the Penguins in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. In his second full NHL season, Letang won the 2009 Stanley Cup with Pittsburgh. He became a two-time Stanley Cup champion when the Penguins defeated the San Jose Sharks in 2016, and a three-time Stanley Cup champion when the Penguins defeated the Nashville Predators in 2017. Internationally, he has competed for Canada at the under-18 and under-20 levels, winning back-to-back gold medals at the World Junior Championships in 2006 and 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Conner</span> American ice hockey player (born 1983)

Christopher Ryan Conner is an American former professional ice hockey winger who played in the National Hockey League (NHL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James van Riemsdyk</span> American ice hockey player (born 1989)

James van Riemsdyk, often known by his initials JVR, is an American professional ice hockey left winger for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL). Between 2012 and 2018, he played in the NHL for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and he played with the Philadelphia Flyers until 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex Goligoski</span> American ice hockey player (born 1985)

Alexander Goligoski is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League (NHL). During his NHL career, he has also played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, the organization that drafted him in the second round, 61st overall, in 2004, the Dallas Stars and Arizona Coyotes. He was part of the Pittsburgh Penguins 2009 Stanley Cup championship team.

The 2010–11 Pittsburgh Penguins season was the team's 44th season in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Penguins began the season in their new arena, CONSOL Energy Center, which is adjacent from their old facility, Mellon Arena, which had been the third smallest and oldest arena in the NHL. The Penguins also hosted the 2011 NHL Winter Classic against the Washington Capitals at Heinz Field, home of the National Football League's Pittsburgh Steelers and NCAA's's Pittsburgh Panthers football.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pierre-Édouard Bellemare</span> French ice hockey player (born 1985)

Pierre-Édouard Bellemare is a French professional ice hockey player for the Seattle Kraken of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has also played for the Philadelphia Flyers, Vegas Golden Knights, Colorado Avalanche and Tampa Bay Lightning.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Schultz</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1990)

Justin Schultz is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Seattle Kraken of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has previously played in the NHL for the Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals. Schultz won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Penguins in 2016 and 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Stanley Cup playoffs</span> Playoff tournament of the NHL

The 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs was the playoff tournament of the National Hockey League (NHL) for the 2015–16 season. They began on April 13, 2016, and ended on June 12, 2016, with the Pittsburgh Penguins defeating the San Jose Sharks four games to two in the Stanley Cup Finals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carter Rowney</span> Canadian ice hockey player

Carter Rowney is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward currently under contract with Löwen Frankfurt of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). Rowney has previously played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Anaheim Ducks and Detroit Red Wings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Capitals–Penguins rivalry</span> National Hockey League rivalry

The Capitals–Penguins rivalry is an ice hockey rivalry between the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL). Both teams have played in the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference since 2013. This rivalry stems from the 11 playoff series that the two teams have met in, which is second most between NHL expansion teams behind the Dallas Stars and the St. Louis Blues. Pittsburgh won in every series except for the 1994 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals and 2018 Eastern Conference second round. There is also only a 250-mile drive between the cities of Washington, D.C., and Pittsburgh, allowing visiting fans of both teams to attend each other's games in fairly large quantities. In addition to the geography and deep playoff history, the emergence of Alexander Ovechkin (Washington) and Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh) as two of the NHL's biggest superstars has fueled the rivalry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Friedman</span> Canadian ice hockey player

Mark Isaac Friedman is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman, currently playing for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the 3rd round the 2014 NHL Entry Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers, the 86th overall pick of the draft. Prior to turning professional, Friedman played for the Bowling Green Falcons for three seasons where he was named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team and First Team All-WCHA.

References

  1. ↑ "NHL Entry Draft Year by Year Results". National Hockey League.
  2. ↑ STT (November 28, 2007). "Dallasin Matt Niskanen puhuu vain englantia". Ilta-Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Niskanen jahtaa kannua suomalaisella sisulla". NHL.com (in Finnish). Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Matt Niskanen". eliteprospects.com. Elite Prospects. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  5. 1 2 Myers, Jess (November 13, 2018). "NHL: Stanley Cup or no Cup, he's the same 'Nisky'". Duluth News Tribune. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  6. 1 2 Burns, Mark J. "A Few Minutes With Matt Niskanen". USA Hockey Magazine. USA Hockey. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  7. ↑ "Niskanen selected to All WCHA First Team". UMD Bulldogs. March 30, 2006. Archived from the original on May 24, 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2010.
  8. ↑ "All WCHA Academic Team announced". UMD Bulldogs. April 15, 2006. Archived from the original on May 24, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2010.
  9. ↑ "Matt Niskanen to sign with Stars". Duluth News Tribune. March 20, 2007. Retrieved July 6, 2008.[ dead link ]
  10. ↑ "Penguins acquire James Neal and Matt Niskanen from Stars for Alex Goligoski". Pittsburgh Penguins. February 21, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2011.
  11. ↑ "Niskanen powers Penguins past Predators". covers.com. March 4, 2014. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Capitals add two Penguins defencemen in free agency". Washington Post . July 1, 2014. Archived from the original on July 16, 2014. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
  13. ↑ "Flyers acquire Matt Niskanen from Capitals in exchange for Radko Gudas". Philadelphia Flyers. June 14, 2019. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  14. ↑ Sportsnet Staff (February 21, 2020). "Flyers' Matt Niskanen fined $5K for slash on Blue Jackets' Gustav Nyquist". Sportsnet. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  15. ↑ Meltzer, Bill (April 4, 2020). "Meltzer's Player Profiles: Matt Niskanen". nhl.com. National Hockey League. Philadelphia Flyers. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  16. ↑ Carchidi, Sam (August 20, 2020). "Flyers' Matt Niskanen suspended for one game; Habs' Brendan Gallagher out with broken jaw". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  17. ↑ "Niskanen announces retirement from NHL". nhl.com. National Hockey League. October 5, 2020. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  18. ↑ Campbell, Ken (October 5, 2020). "Uncertainty Surrounding COVID-19 Led to Matt Niskanen's Retirement". The Hockey News. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  19. ↑ Khurshudyan, Isabelle (May 27, 2016). "Matt Niskanen named to Team USA for the World Cup of Hockey". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  20. ↑ "The Washington Capitals, after years of frustration, win the Stanley Cup". The New York Times . June 7, 2018. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Dallas Stars first round draft pick
2005 		Succeeded by
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.