Stefan Matteau

{{Distinguish|text=his father, Stéphane Matteau, also an ice hockey player}}

{{Infobox ice hockey player

| name = Stefan Matteau

| image = 2022-12-11 Eisbären Berlin gegen ERC Ingolstadt (Deutsche Eishockey-Liga 2022-23) by Sandro Halank–041.jpg

| image_size = 230px

| caption = Matteau with the ERC Ingolstadt in 2022

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|2|23}}

| birth_place = Chicago, Illinois, U.S.

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 1

| weight_lb = 216

| position = Left wing

| shoots = Left

| played_for = New Jersey Devils
Montreal Canadiens
Vegas Golden Knights
Columbus Blue Jackets
Colorado Avalanche
Linköping HC
ERC Ingolstadt

| ntl_team =

| draft = 29th overall

| draft_year = 2012

| draft_team = New Jersey Devils

| career_start = 2013

| career_end = 2025

}}

Stefan Matteau (born February 23, 1994) is an American former professional ice hockey forward, who played in the National Hockey League (NHL). Matteau was born in Chicago, Illinois, but grew up in Blainville, Quebec.

Playing career

Matteau was drafted 29th overall in the 2012 NHL Draft by the New Jersey Devils. He is described as a rugged power forward who plays a hard-nose style. Matteau debuted for the Devils on January 19, 2013, against the New York Islanders.

Matteau signed an entry-level contract with the Devils on August 14, 2012.{{cite web | title=Devils Sign First-Round Draft Pick Stefan Matteau To Entry-Level Contract | url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/08/14/devils-sign-first-round-draft-pick-stefan-matteau-to-entry-level-contract/|publisher=CBS New New York | accessdate=2012-08-14| date=2012-08-14}} He played in his sixth NHL game on February 7, 2013, against the Tampa Bay Lightning, making his contract take effect.{{cite news| title=Stefan Matteau plays in sixth game with Devils, can't go back to junior hockey | url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/capitals/stefan-matteau-plays-in-sixth-game-with-devils-cant-go-back-to-junior-hockey/2013/02/07/7779e0a4-7184-11e2-b3f3-b263d708ca37_story.html | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130208165003/http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/capitals/stefan-matteau-plays-in-sixth-game-with-devils-cant-go-back-to-junior-hockey/2013/02/07/7779e0a4-7184-11e2-b3f3-b263d708ca37_story.html | archive-date= 2013-02-08 | newspaper=The Washington Post | url-status=dead}}

Matteau recorded both his first career NHL point and goal at 16:31 into the second period on February 9, 2013, against Marc-André Fleury of the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Prudential Center.{{cite web | title= Adam Henrique, Bobby Butler lead Devils past Penguins | url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap?gameId=400442629|publisher=ESPN}}

During the 2015–16 season, having been unable to attain a regular forward role, Matteau was traded by the Devils to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Devante Smith-Pelly on February 29, 2016.{{cite web| url = http://canadiens.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=871380 | title = Canadiens acquire Stefan Matteau | publisher = Montreal Canadiens | date = 2016-02-29 | accessdate = 2016-02-29}}

On July 1, 2017, Matteau as a free agent signed a one-year, two-way deal the Vegas Golden Knights.{{cite web| url = https://m.lasvegassun.com/news/2017/jul/01/golden-knights-sign-6-free-agents/ | title = Golden Knights sign 6 free agents | publisher = Las Vegas Sun | date = 2017-07-01 | accessdate = 2017-07-01}}

After two seasons within the Golden Knights organization, Matteau left Vegas as a free agent. On August 22, 2019, Matteau was signed to a one-year AHL contract with the Cleveland Monsters, affiliate to the Columbus Blue Jackets.{{cite web| url = https://www.clevelandmonsters.com/team/news/monsters-sign-forward-stefan-matteau-one-year-ahl-contact#__prclt=uu44sMD0 | title = Monsters sign forward Stefan Matteau to one-year AHL contract | publisher = Cleveland Monsters | date = August 22, 2019 | accessdate = August 22, 2019}} Serving in a leadership role with the Monsters, Matteau registered 12 goals and 28 points through 50 games in the 2019–20 season, before he was signed to a two-year, two-way contract with the Blue Jackets on February 19, 2020, and was immediately recalled to join the Blue Jackets in his return to the NHL.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/columbus-blue-jackets-sign-stefan-matteau/c-315269578 | title = CBJ sign Stefan Matteau to two-year, two-way contract | publisher = Columbus Blue Jackets | date = February 19, 2020 | accessdate = February 19, 2020}} He scored his first NHL goal in more than four years in his first game with the Blue Jackets on February 20, 2020, against the Philadelphia Flyers, the same team he had scored his last NHL goal on December 4, 2015, while a member of the New Jersey Devils.

On July 29, 2021, having left the Blue Jackets organization, Matteau was signed as a free agent to a one-year, two-way contract with the Colorado Avalanche.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/avalanche/news/avalanche-signs-dylan-sikura-and-stefan-matteau/c-325826388 | title = Avalanche signs Matteau, Sikura | publisher = Colorado Avalanche | date = July 29, 2021 | accessdate = July 29, 2021}} After attending the 2021 Avalanche training camp, Matteau was originally reassigned to AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles. Before making an appearance with the Eagles, Matteau was recalled by the Avalanche and made his debut in the second game of the {{NHL Year|2021}} season on October 16, 2021, against the St. Louis Blues.{{cite web| url = https://www.espn.com/nhl/game/_/gameId/401349163 | title = Perron scores two goals, Blues hold on to beat Avs 5-3 | publisher = ESPN | date = October 16, 2021 | accessdate = October 16, 2021}} During the first-period and featuring on Colorado's fourth-line, Matteau suffered a high ankle sprain which subsequently ruled him out long-term.{{cite web| url = https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/hockey/news/avalanches-stefan-matteau-suffers-apparent-leg-injury/ | title = Avalanche's Stefan Matteau suffers apparent leg injury | work = CBS Sports | date = October 16, 2021 | accessdate = October 16, 2021}}

Returning to health after four-months on the injured reserve, Matteau was reassigned to the AHL and made his Eagles debut on February 26, 2022. Remaining with the Eagles for the remainder of the campaign, Matteau added a veteran presence and contributed with 10 points through 20 games. He added 3 goals in the playoffs with the Colorado Eagles, before falling in the Pacific Division Finals against the Stockton Heat.{{cite web| url = https://www.coloradoeagles.com/news/detail/matteau-and-macdonalds-long-awaited-return-to-eagles-country | title = Matteau and MacDonald's long awaited return to Eagles country | publisher = Colorado Eagles | date = March 13, 2022 | accessdate = March 13, 2022}}

As a free agent at the conclusion of his contract with the Avalanche, Matteau opted to sign his first contract abroad after signing a two-year deal with Swedish club, Linköping HC of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), on July 29, 2022.{{cite web| url = https://www.lhc.eu/article/9t3aal668-30c01/stefan-matteau-ar-naste-man-in-i-truppen | publisher = Linköping HC | title = Stefan Matteau is the next signing into the squad | date = July 29, 2022 | accessdate = July 29, 2022 | language = Swedish}} In his first European campaign, Matteau was slow to adapt with Linköping HC, registering just 1 assist through 16 games to start the 2022–23 season. After seeking a release from his contract in the SHL, Matteau left to sign for the remainder of the season with German club, ERC Ingolstadt of the DEL, on November 17, 2022.{{cite web| url = https://www.erc-ingolstadt.de/profis/newsdetail?id=7198 | title = Matteau reinforces ERC | publisher = ERC Ingolstadt | date = November 17, 2022 | accessdate = November 17, 2022 | language = German}}

At the conclusion of his contract with Ingolstadt, Matteau returned to North America as a free agent. On September 6, 2023, Matteau rejoined the Columbus Blue Jackets organization in accepting a professional tryout contract to attend training camp for the {{NHL Year|2023}} season.{{cite web | url = https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/columbus-blue-jackets/jackets-sign-stefan-matteau-to-pto | publisher = The Hockey News | date = September 6, 2023 | accessdate = September 6, 2023 | title = Blue Jackets sign Matteau to PTO }} After participating through the pre-season with the Blue Jackets, Matteau was re-assigned to continue his tryout with the Cleveland Monsters in the AHL to begin the season.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/blue-jackets-trim-training-camp-roster-by-11-players | title = Blue Jackets trim training camp roster by 11 | publisher = Columbus Blue Jackets | date = October 7, 2023 | accessdate = October 7, 2023 }}

Limited through injury in his second season with the Monsters, Matteau retired while as the Captain of the Monsters on May 12, 2025.

International play

Matteau represented United States at the 2014 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.

Personal life

Matteau is the son of former NHL player Stéphane Matteau, who is known for scoring the double overtime game seven goal for the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference Finals against the New Jersey Devils in the 1994 playoffs.{{cite news|title=NY Rangers' Stephane Matteau still enjoying fame earned with his Game 7 goal against NJ Devils in 1994 Eastern Conference finals | url = http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/hockey/rangers/ny-rangers-stephane-matteau-enjoying-fame-earned-game-7-goal-nj-devils-1994-eastern-conference-finals-article-1.1078344 | work = New York Daily News | accessdate = 2014-01-01 | date = 2012-05-15 | author = Botte, Peter}} His sister, Alyson Matteau currently plays professionally for the NWHL's Buffalo Beauts, after captaining the University of Maine Black Bears.{{cite web| url = https://buffalonews.com/sports/hockey/beauts-sign-daughter-of-94-rangers-cup-hero/article_16a5bcb8-4775-5af3-8786-8e0b55139516.html| title = Beauts sign daughter of '94 Rangers Cup hero {{!}} Hockey {{!}} buffalonews.com| date = 24 June 2020}}

Matteau was born in Chicago, when his father was a member of the Chicago Blackhawks, and lived in New York City, St. Louis, Silicon Valley and South Florida during his father's career, before his family settled in the Montreal area.

Career statistics

=Regular season and playoffs=

border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" 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
2010–11 \| U.S. NTDP Juniors \| USHL \| 28	4	5	9	47 \| 2	0	0	0	2
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2010–11 \| U.S. NTDP U17 \| USDP \| 47	7	11	18	67 \| —	—	—	—	—
2011–12 \| U.S. NTDP Juniors \| USHL \| 18	6	4	10	93 \| —	—	—	—	—
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2010–11 \| U.S. NTDP U18 \| USDP \| 46	15	17	32	166 \| —	—	—	—	—
2012–13 \| Blainville–Boisbriand Armada \| QMJHL \| 35	18	10	28	70 \| 11	3	6	9	16
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2012–13 \| New Jersey Devils \| NHL \| 17	1	2	3	6 \| —	—	—	—	—
2013–14 \| Albany Devils \| AHL \| 67	13	13	26	66 \| 4	1	0	1	4
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2014–15 \| Albany Devils \| AHL \| 61	12	15	27	40 \| —	—	—	—	—
2014–15 \| New Jersey Devils \| NHL \| 7	1	0	1	4 \| —	—	—	—	—
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2015–16 \| New Jersey Devils \| NHL \| 20	1	0	1	13 \| —	—	—	—	—
2015–16 \| Albany Devils \| AHL \| 1	0	0	0	4 \| —	—	—	—	—
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2015–16 \| Montreal Canadiens \| NHL \| 12	0	1	1	4 \| —	—	—	—	—
2016–17 \| St. John's IceCaps \| AHL \| 67	12	13	25	122 \| 4	3	1	4	2
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2017–18 \| Chicago Wolves \| AHL \| 60	15	12	27	57 \| 3	0	1	1	4
2017–18 \| Vegas Golden Knights \| NHL \| 8	0	1	1	0 \| —	—	—	—	—
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2018–19 \| Chicago Wolves \| AHL \| 55	5	8	13	78 \| 21	3	5	8	22
2019–20 \| Cleveland Monsters \| AHL \| 50	12	16	28	41 \| —	—	—	—	—
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2019–20 \| Columbus Blue Jackets \| NHL \| 9	2	1	3	5 \| —	—	—	—	—
2020–21 \| Columbus Blue Jackets \| NHL \| 18	1	0	1	9 \| —	—	—	—	—
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2021–22 \| Colorado Avalanche \| NHL \| 1	0	0	0	0 \| —	—	—	—	—
2021–22 \| Colorado Eagles \| AHL \| 20	3	7	10	32 \| 9	3	0	3	10
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2022–23 \| Linköping HC \| SHL \| 16	0	1	1	18 \| —	—	—	—	—
2022–23 \| ERC Ingolstadt \| DEL \| 19	10	10	20	9 \| 16	4	4	8	18
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2023–24 \| Cleveland Monsters \| AHL \| 15	2	4	6	29 \| 14	1	6	7	6
2024–25 \| Cleveland Monsters \| AHL \| 15	2	5	7	8 \| —	—	—	—	—
bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" \| NHL totals ! 92 !! 6 !! 5 !! 11 !! 41 ! — !! — !! — !! — !! —