Christian Matte
Encyclopedia
Christian Matte is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey
right winger
who played briefly in the NHL
with the Colorado Avalanche
and Minnesota Wild
.
in the QMJHL
. In his first season in 1992–93
he complied 53 points in 68 games to be named in the QMJHL All-Rookie Team. Matte was consequently drafted by the Quebec Nordiques
in the 6th round, 153rd overall in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft
. After being drafted Matte reported back to the Bisons and played another two years with the team developing a strong scoring touch earning a place in the QMJHL Second All-Star team and scoring 50 goals and 116 points in 66 games his final year there. For the 1995–96 season Matte turned pro and joined the Cornwall Aces
in the AHL
. The following year the Nordiques relocated to Colorado and Matte joined the Hershey Bears
who became the Avalanche's new minor league affiliate. That same season Matte also made his NHL debut and played in 5 games with the Avalanche.
Matte then played the majority of the next three years with the Bears. In the 1999–2000
season, his last within the Avalanche organization, Matte scored an impressive 104 points in 73 games with Hershey to be awarded the John B. Sollenberger Trophy
as the AHL leading scorer. Despite averaging more than a point per game in the minors Matte was not able to crack the Avalanche lineup and never played more than 7 games in a season with the Avalanche. For the 2000–01 season Matte signed as a free agent with the newly formed Minnesota Wild where he would have a better chance of cracking the starting lineup. However, Matte played only three games with the Wild before being sent to the Cleveland Lumberjacks
of the IHL for the remainder of the season, leading the IHL in scoring with 38 goals. The next year Matte signed with the Buffalo Sabres
but never played a game with them, instead playing with their minor league affiliate Rochester Americans
. From the 2002–03 season until the 2003–04 season Matte played in Switzerland before retiring.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
right winger
Winger (ice hockey)
Winger, in the game of hockey, is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. They typically work by flanking the centre forward. Originally the name was given to forward players who went up and down the sides of the rink...
who played briefly in the NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
with the Colorado Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
and Minnesota Wild
Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
.
Playing career
Matte first played competitive major junior hockey with Abitibi Forestiers in the Quebec QAAA before moving on the Granby BisonsGranby Bisons
The Granby Bisons were a junior ice hockey team founded in 1981 after the team moved from Sorel-Tracy, Quebec, where they had previously been known as the Sorel Éperviers. The Bisons played at Arena Leonard Grondin in Granby, Quebec. In 1995 they were renamed the Granby Prédateurs. Today they are...
in the QMJHL
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League...
. In his first season in 1992–93
1992–93 QMJHL season
The 1992–93 QMJHL season was the 24th season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The league inaugurates the Ron Lapointe Trophy, for the "Coach of the Year," and the QMJHL Humanitarian of the Year award. Twelve teams played 70 games each in the schedule. The Sherbrooke Faucons...
he complied 53 points in 68 games to be named in the QMJHL All-Rookie Team. Matte was consequently drafted by the Quebec Nordiques
Quebec Nordiques
The Quebec Nordiques were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League...
in the 6th round, 153rd overall in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft
1993 NHL Entry Draft
The 1993 NHL Entry Draft took place on June 26, 1993, at the Colisee de Quebec in Quebec City, Quebec.-Selections by round:Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise specified.-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:...
. After being drafted Matte reported back to the Bisons and played another two years with the team developing a strong scoring touch earning a place in the QMJHL Second All-Star team and scoring 50 goals and 116 points in 66 games his final year there. For the 1995–96 season Matte turned pro and joined the Cornwall Aces
Cornwall Aces
The Cornwall Aces were the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Quebec Nordiques from 1993 to 1995, and the relocated Colorado Avalanche in 1995–96. They were based in the eastern Ontario city of Cornwall, and played at the Ed Lumley Arena inside the Cornwall Civic Complex...
in the AHL
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
. The following year the Nordiques relocated to Colorado and Matte joined the Hershey Bears
Hershey Bears
The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of...
who became the Avalanche's new minor league affiliate. That same season Matte also made his NHL debut and played in 5 games with the Avalanche.
Matte then played the majority of the next three years with the Bears. In the 1999–2000
1999–2000 AHL season
The 1999–2000 AHL season was the 64th season of the American Hockey League. Nineteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hartford Wolf Pack finished first overall in the regular season, and won their first Calder Cup championship.-Team changes:...
season, his last within the Avalanche organization, Matte scored an impressive 104 points in 73 games with Hershey to be awarded the John B. Sollenberger Trophy
John B. Sollenberger Trophy
The John B. Sollenberger Trophy is given to American Hockey League's leading scorer for the season.The award was named for John B. Sollenberger in 1955. Sollenberger was a long-time contributor to the league as manager and president of the Hershey Bears and former Chairman of the Board of Governors...
as the AHL leading scorer. Despite averaging more than a point per game in the minors Matte was not able to crack the Avalanche lineup and never played more than 7 games in a season with the Avalanche. For the 2000–01 season Matte signed as a free agent with the newly formed Minnesota Wild where he would have a better chance of cracking the starting lineup. However, Matte played only three games with the Wild before being sent to the Cleveland Lumberjacks
Cleveland Lumberjacks
The Cleveland Lumberjacks were an International Hockey League team based in Cleveland, Ohio.-Facts:The Cleveland Lumberjacks were an International Hockey League team based in Cleveland, Ohio.-Facts:...
of the IHL for the remainder of the season, leading the IHL in scoring with 38 goals. The next year Matte signed with the Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
but never played a game with them, instead playing with their minor league affiliate Rochester Americans
Rochester Americans
The Rochester Americans are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and a top affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres. The team plays its home games in Rochester, New York, at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial...
. From the 2002–03 season until the 2003–04 season Matte played in Switzerland before retiring.
Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1992–93 1992–93 QMJHL season The 1992–93 QMJHL season was the 24th season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The league inaugurates the Ron Lapointe Trophy, for the "Coach of the Year," and the QMJHL Humanitarian of the Year award. Twelve teams played 70 games each in the schedule. The Sherbrooke Faucons... |
Granby Bisons Granby Bisons The Granby Bisons were a junior ice hockey team founded in 1981 after the team moved from Sorel-Tracy, Quebec, where they had previously been known as the Sorel Éperviers. The Bisons played at Arena Leonard Grondin in Granby, Quebec. In 1995 they were renamed the Granby Prédateurs. Today they are... |
QMJHL | 68 | 17 | 36 | 53 | 56 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1993–94 1993–94 QMJHL season The 1993–94 QMJHL season was the 25th season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The QMJHL unveils a special logo/patch for its 25th anniversary. The league expands northward, granting an expansion franchise in Val-d'Or, Quebec. Thirteen teams played 72 games each in the schedule... |
Granby Bisons | QMJHL | 59 | 50 | 47 | 97 | 103 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 12 | ||
| 1993–94 1993–94 AHL season The 1993–94 AHL season was the 58th season of the American Hockey League. Sixteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The St. John's Maple Leafs finished first overall in the regular season... |
Cornwall Aces Cornwall Aces The Cornwall Aces were the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Quebec Nordiques from 1993 to 1995, and the relocated Colorado Avalanche in 1995–96. They were based in the eastern Ontario city of Cornwall, and played at the Ed Lumley Arena inside the Cornwall Civic Complex... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1994–95 1994–95 QMJHL season The 1994–95 QMJHL season was the 26th season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The QMJHL unveils an updated logo one season after its special 25th anniversary logo, using a stylized ice skate and the letters of the league's French acronym... |
Granby Bisons | QMJHL | 66 | 50 | 66 | 116 | 86 | 13 | 11 | 7 | 18 | 12 | ||
| 1994–95 1994–95 AHL season The 1994–95 AHL season was the 59th season of the American Hockey League. The All-Star Game is revived, with All-Stars grouped into "Team Canada" and "Team USA." Sixteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule... |
Cornwall Aces | AHL | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| 1995–96 | Cornwall Aces | AHL | 64 | 20 | 32 | 52 | 51 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | ||
| 1996–97 | Hershey Bears Hershey Bears The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of... |
AHL | 49 | 18 | 18 | 36 | 78 | 22 | 8 | 3 | 11 | 25 | ||
| 1996–97 1996-97 NHL season The 1996–97 NHL season was the 80th regular season of the National Hockey League. The Stanley Cup winners were the Detroit Red Wings, who swept the Philadelphia Flyers in four games and won the Stanley Cup for the first time in 42 years. The regular season saw a decline in scoring and rise in the... |
Colorado Avalanche Colorado Avalanche The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise... |
NHL | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1997–98 1997–98 AHL season The 1997–98 AHL season was the 62nd season of the American Hockey League. The AHL shifts teams in their divisions, and the Canadian division reverts to being named Atlantic division. The Northern conference is renamed the Eastern conference, and the Southern conference renamed the Western... |
Hershey Bears | AHL | 71 | 33 | 40 | 73 | 109 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 4 | ||
| 1997–98 | Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1998–99 | Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1998–99 1998–99 AHL season The 1998–99 AHL season was the 63rd season of the American Hockey League. Nineteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Providence Bruins finished first overall in the regular season, and won their first Calder Cup championship.-Team changes:... |
Hershey Bears | AHL | 60 | 31 | 47 | 78 | 48 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 8 | ||
| 1999–00 1999–2000 AHL season The 1999–2000 AHL season was the 64th season of the American Hockey League. Nineteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hartford Wolf Pack finished first overall in the regular season, and won their first Calder Cup championship.-Team changes:... |
Hershey Bears | AHL | 73 | 43 | 61 | 104 | 85 | 14 | 8 | 6 | 14 | 10 | ||
| 1999–00 | Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2000–01 | Cleveland Lumberjacks Cleveland Lumberjacks The Cleveland Lumberjacks were an International Hockey League team based in Cleveland, Ohio.-Facts:The Cleveland Lumberjacks were an International Hockey League team based in Cleveland, Ohio.-Facts:... |
IHL | 58 | 38 | 29 | 67 | 59 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2000–01 | Minnesota Wild Minnesota Wild The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League .... |
NHL | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2001–02 2001–02 AHL season The 2001–02 AHL season was the 66th season of the American Hockey League. It was the season of the biggest growth in the AHL's history, as it accepted eight new teams. The demise of the International Hockey League brought six teams transferring from the defunct league, in addition to two expansion... |
Rochester Americans Rochester Americans The Rochester Americans are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and a top affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres. The team plays its home games in Rochester, New York, at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial... |
AHL | 72 | 22 | 29 | 51 | 48 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2002–03 | ZSC Lions ZSC Lions The Zürcher Schlittschuh Club Lions are a professional ice hockey team located in Zürich, Switzerland, playing in the National League A. The home arena, the 10,700 seat Hallenstadion, is in the Zürich district of Oerlikon... |
NLA | 44 | 22 | 25 | 47 | 49 | 12 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 14 | ||
| 2003–04 | ZSC Lions | NLA | 12 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2003–04 | GCK Lions GCK Lions GCK Lions is a Swiss professional ice hockey team founded in 1932. They are currently in the National League B, Switzerland's second tier ice hockey division. The home arena is Eishalle Küsnacht . The team has won one Swiss Championships, in 1966, as well as two championships in the Swiss second... |
NLB | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2003–04 | HC Ambri-Piotta HC Ambri-Piotta Hockey Club Ambrì-Piotta is a Swiss professional ice hockey club and a member of the National League A. The club was founded September 19, 1937 and is also known as "Bianco-Blu"... |
NLA | 6 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| AHL totals | 390 | 167 | 227 | 394 | 419 | 60 | 22 | 14 | 36 | 55 | ||||
| NHL totals | 25 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||
Awards and honours
| Award | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | ||
| QMJHL Quebec Major Junior Hockey League The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League... All-Rookie Team |
1992–93 1992–93 QMJHL season The 1992–93 QMJHL season was the 24th season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The league inaugurates the Ron Lapointe Trophy, for the "Coach of the Year," and the QMJHL Humanitarian of the Year award. Twelve teams played 70 games each in the schedule. The Sherbrooke Faucons... |
|
| QMJHL Second All-Star team | 1993–94 1993–94 QMJHL season The 1993–94 QMJHL season was the 25th season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The QMJHL unveils a special logo/patch for its 25th anniversary. The league expands northward, granting an expansion franchise in Val-d'Or, Quebec. Thirteen teams played 72 games each in the schedule... |
|
| American Hockey League American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
||
| First All-Star Team | 1999–2000 1999–2000 AHL season The 1999–2000 AHL season was the 64th season of the American Hockey League. Nineteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hartford Wolf Pack finished first overall in the regular season, and won their first Calder Cup championship.-Team changes:... |
|
| John B. Sollenberger Trophy John B. Sollenberger Trophy The John B. Sollenberger Trophy is given to American Hockey League's leading scorer for the season.The award was named for John B. Sollenberger in 1955. Sollenberger was a long-time contributor to the league as manager and president of the Hershey Bears and former Chairman of the Board of Governors... |
1999–2000 | |