Matthew Lombardi

{{Infobox ice hockey player

| alt =

| image = Matthew Lombardi - New York Rangers.jpg

| caption = Lombardi as a Ranger in the 2014 pre-season.

| image_size = 230px

| played_for = Calgary Flames
Phoenix Coyotes
Nashville Predators
Toronto Maple Leafs
Anaheim Ducks
Genève-Servette HC

| position = Centre

| shoots = Left

| height_ft = 5

| height_in = 11

| weight_lb = 195

| ntl_team = CAN

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1982|3|18}}

| birth_place = Montreal, Quebec, Canada

| draft = 215th overall, 2000
Edmonton Oilers
90th overall

| draft_year = 2002

| draft_team = Calgary Flames

| career_start = 2002

| career_end = 2016

}}

Matthew Lombardi (born March 18, 1982) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey center who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Calgary Flames, Phoenix Coyotes, Nashville Predators, Toronto Maple Leafs and Anaheim Ducks. Lombardi made his NHL debut in 2003 and was a member of the Flames' team that went to the 2004 Stanley Cup Finals. During his career he was plagued with injuries, suffering two significant concussions. Lombardi played for Team Canada at the IIHF World Championships, winning gold in 2007 and silver in 2009. While playing in Switzerland, he was named to Team Canada and won the 2015 Spengler Cup. He retired from playing hockey in 2016.

Playing career

Lombardi was born and raised in Hudson, Quebec, a suburb of Montreal, Quebec.{{cite web |url=https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2012/03/03/on-ne-cherche-pas-dexcuses---matthew-lombardi |title=«On ne cherche pas d'excuses» - Matthew Lombardi |language=fr |trans-title="We're not looking for excuses" - Matthew Lombardi |work=Le Journal de Montréal |date=March 3, 2012 |access-date=August 25, 2023}} As a youth, he played in the 1995 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the Lac-Saint-Louis-Ouest minor ice hockey team.{{cite web|url=https://www.publicationsports.com/ressources/files/439/Joueurs_Pro.pdf|title=Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA|year=2018|website=Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament|access-date=February 10, 2019}} He later played hockey for the LaPresqu'ile minor hockey association before playing junior ice hockey for the Victoriaville Tigres in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) for four years.{{cite web |url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/sports/1378760/hockey-matthew-lombardi-tigres-victoriaville-college-bourget-programme-scolaire |title=Toujours passionné de hockey, Matthew Lombardi forme la prochaine génération |language=fr |trans-title=Still passionate about hockey, Matthew Lombardi is training the next generation |work=Radio-Canada |last=St-Aubin |first=Félix |date=March 29, 2020 |access-date=August 25, 2023}}

File:Matthew Lombardi.JPG

Lombardi was selected in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft 215th overall by the Edmonton Oilers. Lombardi failed to sign with the Oilers, re-entering the draft where he was picked 90th overall by the Calgary Flames in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/flames-bring-back-lombardi-nilson-1.662294 |title=Flames bring back Lombardi, Nilson |work=CBC Sports |date=June 1, 2007 |access-date=August 25, 2023}} Lombardi was known for his speed and good two-way play.{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nhl/news/2010-nhl-free-agency-predators-sign-speedy-matt-lombardi-to-three-year-105m-deal |title=2010 NHL Free Agency: Predators sign speedy Matt Lombardi to three-year, $10.5M deal |work=NBC Sports |last=O'Brien |first=James |date=July 2, 2010 |access-date=August 25, 2023}} Lombardi made his NHL debut during the 2003–04 season after making the team out of training camp. He scored his first goal on October 21, 2003, against Dwayne Roloson of the Minnesota Wild in a 3–2 win while playing on the first line with Jarome Iginla and Steven Reinprecht.{{cite web |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/flames-rookie-takes-charge/article1341252/ |title=Flames rookie takes charge |work=The Globe and Mail |last=Duhatschek |first=Eric |date=October 23, 2003 |access-date=August 25, 2023}}{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap/_/gameId/231021030 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230825151630/https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap/_/gameId/231021030 |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 25, 2023 |title=McLennan stops 20 shots in win |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |date=October 22, 2023 |access-date=August 25, 2023}} He finished the season scoring 16 goals and 29 points. Lombardi played in the 2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He played in 13 games, registering 4 points{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/flames/news/player-spotlight-five-minutes-with-matthew-lombardi/c-454707 |title=Player Spotlight: Five minutes with Matthew Lombardi |publisher=Calgary Flames |date=May 10, 2007 |access-date=August 25, 2023}} before suffering a vicious elbow to the head from Red Wings defenceman Derian Hatcher in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals. Lombardi finished the game but never returned in the playoffs.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=1799734 |title=Derian Hatcher hit with three-game suspension |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |date=May 11, 2004 |access-date=August 25, 2023}} Hatcher received a three-game suspension. The Flames eventually lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Seven of the Stanley Cup Finals.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap/_/gameId/240607020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807155949/http://www.espn.com/nhl/recap/_/gameId/240607020 |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 7, 2018 |title=Fedotenko scores both Tampa goals |work=ESPN |date=June 8, 2004 |access-date=August 25, 2023}}

During the locked-out 2004–05 season, he played for the Flames affiliate Lowell Lock Monsters in the American Hockey League (AHL), after he recovered fully from his head injury.{{cite web |url=https://www.lowellsun.com/2005/03/25/lombardi-gives-lowell-lift/ |title=Lombardi gives Lowell lift |work=The Lowell Sun |last=Scanlon |first=Barry |date=March 25, 2005 |access-date=August 25, 2023}} Lombardi returned to the NHL and the Flames when the league resumed play in 2005–06. At the beginning of the 2006–07 season, Lombardi's jersey was retired by the Victoriaville Tigres on October 17, 2006, as part of the team's 20th anniversary celebrations.{{cite web |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/flames-take-priority-over-junior-jersey-retirement-for-lombardi/article1107621/ |title=Flames take priority over junior jersey retirement for Lombardi |work=The Globe and Mail |date=October 17, 2006 |access-date=August 25, 2023}} Lombardi registered 20 goals and 46 points with the Flames that season.

He was a member of the 2007 Canadian IIHF World Championship team that won gold. During the tournament he led Team Canada in scoring with six goals and 12 points. In the 2007 offseason, Lombardi signed a three-year extension with Calgary. Lombardi's scoring slumped during the 2007–08 season, leading to calls for increased production from the forward.{{cite web |url=https://thehockeynews.com/news/calgary-flames-revamp-supporting-cast-to-compete-in-heated-northwest-division |title=Calgary Flames Revamp Supporting Cast to Compete in Heated Northwest Division |work=The Hockey News |agency=The Canadian Press |date=October 2, 2008 |access-date=August 25, 2023}} During the 2008–09 season, Lombardi was slotted in as the team's second line center.{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/sports/northwest_divison_preview_all__national_/1844145/ |title=Northwest Division Preview |last=Pharaoh |first=Jayson |work=NBC News 4 |date=August 16, 2008 |access-date=August 25, 2023}} Lombardi missed a month of the season with a shoulder injury.{{cite web |url=https://calgaryherald.com/sports/hockey/nhl/calgary-flames/lundmark-mushes-back-to-quad-city |title=Lundmark mushes back to Quad City |work=Calgary Herald |last=Cruickshank |first=Scott |date=December 20, 2008 |access-date=August 25, 2023}} On March 4, 2009, trade deadline day in the NHL, Lombardi was traded along with Brandon Prust and a first-round draft pick to the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for center Olli Jokinen and a third-round draft pick. At the time of the trade, Lombardi had scored nine goals and 30 points in 50 games with the Flames.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/flames-acquire-jokinen-1.858439 |title=Flames acquire Jokinen |work=CBC Sports |date=March 4, 2009 |access-date=August 25, 2023}}

The Coyotes sought to get younger and sought ought Lombardi's speed. Lombardi finished the season with five goals and 16 points in the 19 games with the Coyotes.{{cite web |url=https://thehockeynews.com/news/maple-leafs-trade-centre-matthew-lombardi-to-coyotes-for-draft-pick |title=Maple Leafs trade centre Matthew Lombardi to Coyotes for Draft Pick |work=The Hockey News |agency=The Canadian Press |date=January 16, 2013 |access-date=August 25, 2023}} At the end of the season, Lombardi was among the Coyotes players that took part in the 2009 IIHF World Championship in Switzerland.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/coyotes/news/doan-lombardi-and-upshall-to-play-for-canada-at-iihf-world-championship/c-428647 |title=Doan, Lombardi and Upshall to Play for Canada at IIHF World Championship |publisher=Arizona Coyotes |date=April 13, 2009 |access-date=August 25, 2023}} Team Canada won silver at the tournament.{{cite web |url=https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/news/2009-nr-076-en |title=Canada Wins Silver Medal at 2009 IIHF World Championship |publisher=Hockey Canada |date=May 10, 2009 |access-date=August 25, 2023}} The following season Lombardi scored a career high 19 goals and 53 points. On February 8, 2010, he recorded a five-point night in a 6–1 win over the Edmonton Oilers.{{cite web |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-lombardis-2-goals-help-coyotes-rout-oilers-6-1-2010feb08-story.html |title=Lombardi's 2 goals help Coyotes rout Oilers 6-1 |work=The San Diego Union-Tribune |last=Baum |first=Bob |date=February 8, 2010 |access-date=August 25, 2023}}

On July 2, 2010, as an unrestricted free agent from the Coyotes, Lombardi signed a three-year contract with the Nashville Predators.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=5350235 |title=Lombardi signs three-year deal |work=ESPN |last=LeBrun |first=Pierre |date=July 2, 2010 |access-date=August 25, 2023}} In the first year of the contract Lombardi played only two games, due to a concussion suffered during the first period of an October 13 game against the Chicago Blackhawks.{{cite web |url=https://nationalpost.com/sports/hockey/nhl/for-lombardi-a-memorable-return-to-the-ice |title=For Lombardi, a triumphant return |last=Arthur |first=Bruce |work=National Post |date=October 6, 2011 |access-date=August 25, 2023}} Due to internal cap restrictions on July 3, 2011, he was traded along with Cody Franson by the Predators to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Brett Lebda and Robert Slaney.{{cite web |title=Leafs acquire Lombardi and Franson in swap |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=568385&navid=mod-rr-headlines |work=NHL.com |last=Roarke |first=Shawn P. |access-date=July 3, 2011}} In the 2011–12 season, on October 6, 2011, he made his return from concussion and played in his first game as a member of the Maple Leafs, scoring the game-winning goal against the Montreal Canadiens. In November, Lombardi missed time with a dislocated shoulder.{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nhl/news/matt-lombardi-has-a-dislocated-shoulder-might-need-surgery |title=Matt Lombardi has a dislocated shoulder, might need surgery |last=Yerdon |first=Matt |work=NBC Sports |date=November 22, 2011 |access-date=August 25, 2023}} In 62 games with the Maple Leafs, he scored eight goals and 18 points.

Prior to the lockout shortened 2012–13 season, he was traded by the Leafs back to the Phoenix Coyotes for a conditional draft pick on January 16, 2013, as the Coyotes sought to improve their depth at center.{{cite web | url = https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=413721 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130118173210/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=413721 | url-status = dead | archive-date = January 18, 2013 | title = Leafs trade Lombardi to Coyotes for conditional pick | work = TSN | date = January 16, 2013 | access-date = January 16, 2013}} Again missing time due to injury due to another shoulder injury{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/coyotes/2013/02/19/coyotes-matthew-lombardi-ready-to-return/1929821/ |title='Driven' Matthew Lombardi healed, ready to return |work=USA Today |last=McLellan |first=Sarah |date=February 19, 2013 |access-date=August 25, 2023}} and failing to recapture his previous scoring presence with the Coyotes, Lombardi was again on the move at the trade deadline when he was dealt to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Brandon McMillan on April 3, 2013.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/los-angeles/nhl/story/_/id/9130974/matthew-lombardi-traded-anaheim-ducks-phoenix-coyotes |title=Ducks acquire Matthew Lombardi |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |date = April 3, 2013 |access-date = April 3, 2013}} In 21 games with Phoenix, he had four goals and eight points.

On August 29, 2013, he signed his first contract abroad on a one-year deal with Swiss club, Genève-Servette HC of the National League A.{{cite web| publisher = Genève-Servette HC | url = http://www.gshc.ch/fr/News/Matthew-Lombardi-rejoint-les-Aigles.html | title = Matthew Lombardi rejoint les Aigles |trans-title=Matthew Lombardi joins the Aigles | date = August 29, 2013 | access-date = August 29, 2013 | language = French}} In the 2013–14 season with Geneva, Lombardi regained his scoring touch, scoring 20 goals and 50 points in only 46 games, leading his team in scoring and finishing sixth in the league.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.si.com/nhl/2014/07/16/ap-hkn-rangers-lombardi |title=Rangers agree to terms with F Lombardi |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=July 16, 2014 |access-date=August 25, 2023}}

On July 16, 2014, Lombardi returned to the NHL after gaining interest from the New York Rangers, signing a two-year deal worth $1.6 million.{{cite web |url=http://rangers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=726415 |title=Rangers agree to terms with free agent Matthew Lombardi |publisher=New York Rangers |date=July 16, 2014 |access-date=July 16, 2014}} Lombardi failed to make the team out of training camp and was assigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack, the team's AHL affiliate, after clearing waivers. Lombardi refused to report to the Wolf Pack and was released by the organization after passing unconditional waivers.{{cite web |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/report-new-york-rangers-to-put-matthew-lombardi-on-unconditional-waivers/ |title=Rangers place Lombardi on unconditional waivers |work=Sportsnet |last=Johnston |first=Mike |date=October 14, 2014 |access-date=August 25, 2023}}

On October 13, 2014, Genève-Servette, the team where Lombardi had played for the 2013–14 season, announced that he would be re-joining their team for the 2014–15 season.{{Cite web |url=http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/10/13/ex-ranger-lombardi-signs-with-former-swiss-league-team/ |title = Ex-Ranger Lombardi signs with former Swiss league team |date = October 13, 2014 |access-date = October 13, 2014 |work = NBC Sports |last = Halford |first = Mike}} In 2015, Lombardi played for Team Canada at the Spengler Cup.{{cite web |url=https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/news/roster-named-for-2015-spengler-cup |title=Hockey Canada Announces 23-Player Roster for 2015 Spengler Cup |publisher=Hockey Canada |date=December 23, 2015 |access-date=August 25, 2023}} Team Canada won the Spengler Cup after defeating HC Lugano 4–3 in the final.{{cite web |url=https://thehockeynews.com/news/team-canada-downs-hc-lugano-to-win-spengler-cup-for-13th-time |title=Team Canada Downs HC Lugano to Win Spengler Cup for 13th Time |work=The Hockey News |last=Clinton |first=Jared |date=December 31, 2015 |access-date=August 25, 2023}}

After playing 15 professional seasons, Lombardi made his retirement official on November 24, 2016.{{cite web| url =https://www.lanouvelle.net/sports/matthew-lombardi-retraite-et-opte-pour-la-famille/ | title=Matthew Lombardi retraite et opte pour la famille |language=fr |trans-title=Matthew Lombardi retires, chooses to spend more time with family | website = La Nouvelle Union | date = November 24, 2016 | access-date = November 24, 2016}}

Career statistics

=Regular season and playoffs=

border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" ID="Table3" style="text-align:center; width:60em"

bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff" |

! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" |

! colspan="5" | Regular season

! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" |

! colspan="5" | Playoffs

bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! Season

! Team

! League

! GP

! G

! A

! Pts

! PIM

! GP

! G

! A

! Pts

! PIM

1997–98

| Gatineau L'Intrépide

| QMAAA

| 42

| 10

| 13

| 23

| 13

| 4

| 7

| 11

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 1998–99

| Victoriaville Tigres

| QMJHL

| 47

| 6

| 10

| 16

| 8

| 5

| 0

1999–00

| Victoriaville Tigres

| QMJHL

| 65

| 18

| 26

| 44

| 28

| 6

| 0

| 6

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2000–01

| Victoriaville Tigres

| QMJHL

| 72

| 28

| 39

| 67

| 66

| 13

| 12

| 6

| 18

| 10

2001–02

| Victoriaville Tigres

| QMJHL

| 66

| 57

| 73

| 130

| 70

| 22

| 17

| 18

| 35

| 18

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2002–03

| Saint John Flames

| AHL

| 76

| 25

| 21

| 46

| 41

| —

2003–04

| Calgary Flames

| NHL

| 79

| 16

| 13

| 29

| 32

| 13

| 1

| 5

| 6

| 4

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2004–05

| Lowell Lock Monsters

| AHL

| 9

| 3

| 1

| 4

| 9

| 11

| 0

| 3

| 16

2005–06

| Omaha Ak–Sar–Ben Knights

| AHL

| 1

| 2

| 0

| —

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2005–06

| Calgary Flames

| NHL

| 55

| 6

| 20

| 26

| 48

| 7

| 0

| 2

2006–07

| Calgary Flames

| NHL

| 81

| 20

| 26

| 46

| 48

| 6

| 1

| 2

| 0

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2007–08

| Calgary Flames

| NHL

| 82

| 14

| 22

| 36

| 67

| 7

| 0

| 4

2008–09

| Calgary Flames

| NHL

| 50

| 9

| 21

| 30

| —

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2008–09

| Phoenix Coyotes

| NHL

| 19

| 5

| 11

| 16

| 14

| —

2009–10

| Phoenix Coyotes

| NHL

| 78

| 19

| 34

| 53

| 36

| 7

| 1

| 5

| 6

| 2

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2010–11

| Nashville Predators

| NHL

| 2

| 0

| —

2011–12

| Toronto Maple Leafs

| NHL

| 62

| 8

| 10

| 18

| 10

| —

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2012–13

| Phoenix Coyotes

| NHL

| 21

| 4

| 8

| 4

| —

2012–13

| Anaheim Ducks

| NHL

| 7

| 0

| 4

| —

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2013–14

| Genève–Servette HC

| NLA

| 46

| 20

| 30

| 50

| 54

| 12

| 3

| 6

| 9

| 12

2014–15

| Genève–Servette HC

| NLA

| 19

| 6

| 11

| 17

| 8

| 1

| 0

| 1

| 0

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2015–16

| Genève–Servette HC

| NLA

| 34

| 6

| 11

| 17

| 14

| 11

| 1

| 2

bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! colspan="3"| NHL totals

! 536

! 101

! 161

! 262

! 293

! 40

! 3

! 13

! 16

! 12

bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! colspan="3"| NLA totals

! 99

! 32

! 52

! 84

! 76

! 24

! 4

! 8

! 12

! 14

=International=

{{Medal|Country|{{CAN}}}}

border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:40em"

ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! Year

! Team

! Event

! Result

! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" |

! GP

! G

! A

! Pts

! PIM

2007

| Canada

| WC

| {{gold1}}

| 9

| 6

| 12

| 4

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2009

| Canada

| WC

| {{silver2}}

| 9

| 2

| 4

| 6

bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! colspan="4" | Senior totals

! 18

! 8

! 16

! 10

References

External links

{{icehockeystats}}
[https://web.archive.org/web/20110708093710/http://brickhockeyhighlights.com/content/view/58/27/ Matthew Lombardi Minor Hockey Goal Mix Video]
[https://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3143 Lombardi's page at sports.yahoo.com]
[https://archive.today/20130121034237/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3143/ Lombardi's page at sportsillustrated.cnn.com]
[http://www.sportsline.com/nhl/players/playerpage/204642 Lombardi's page at sportsline.com]

Category:1982 births

Category:Living people

Category:Anaheim Ducks players

Category:Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in the United States

Category:Anglophone Quebec people

Category:Calgary Flames draft picks

Category:Calgary Flames players

Category:Canadian ice hockey centres

Category:Canadian sportspeople of Italian descent

Category:Edmonton Oilers draft picks

Category:Genève-Servette HC players

Category:Ice hockey people from Montreal