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Matt Moulson

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Matt Moulson
Moulson with the Buffalo Sabres in 2016
Born (1983-11-01) November 1, 1983 (age 41)
North York, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 210 lb (95 kg; 15 st 0 lb)
Position Left wing
Shot Left
Played for Los Angeles Kings
New York Islanders
Buffalo Sabres
Minnesota Wild
NHL draft 263rd overall, 2003
Pittsburgh Penguins
Playing career 2006–2022

Matthew Keith Moulson (born November 1, 1983) is a Canadian former ice hockey left winger. Moulson played 650 games in the National Hockey League (NHL), the majority of which were spent with the New York Islanders and Buffalo Sabres.

Playing career

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Junior

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Moulson grew up in Mississauga, Ontario, playing minor hockey for A Erindale, AA York Toros, AAA North York Canadiens, AAA Mississauga Senators, AAA Markham Islanders, AAA Mississauga Reps and at Midget for the AA Mississauga Braves of the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL). He also attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel Secondary School in Mississauga, where he was a part of the school's hockey team.[1]

After his midget career, Moulson signed with the Guelph Dominators Junior B club of the Midwestern Ontario Junior B League (OHA) for the 2000–01 and 2001–02 seasons. In the following four years, Moulson attended Cornell University to play for the Big Red ice hockey team of the ECAC Hockey conference.

Whilst playing for Cornell, Moulson was drafted 263rd overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. In 2006, he graduated from Cornell, where he served as team captain of the hockey team and was a member of the Quill and Dagger society in his senior year.

Professional

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Moulson during his tenure with the Islanders.

Moulson signed with the Los Angeles Kings as a free agent on an entry-level contract on September 1, 2006.[2] He was then assigned to the Kings' minor league affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League (AHL), for the 2006–07 season, where he registered 57 points in 77 games. He made his NHL debut in the 2007–08 season on November 2, 2007, against the San Jose Sharks. Moulson also scored his first career NHL goal in the 5–2 Kings victory.[3]

On July 6, 2009, Moulson signed a one-year contract with the New York Islanders.[4] He was a leading scorer in the NHL pre-season and made the team out of camp as a linemate of John Tavares. He scored his first NHL hat-trick — a natural hat trick — on December 3, 2009, against the Atlanta Thrashers.

On July 27, 2010, Moulson signed a one-year, $2.45 million contract extension with the Islanders just minutes before his arbitration hearing was scheduled to begin.[5] On January 27, 2011, he then signed a three-year, $9.45 million contract extension with New York.[6]

Moulson with the Sabres in 2017

After the 2011–12 season, Moulson became the first New York Islander since Žigmund Pálffy to post three consecutive 30-goal seasons. On May 16, 2013, Moulson was named a finalist, along with Patrick Kane and Martin St. Louis, for the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, awarded annually to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.

On October 27, 2013, Moulson and a 2015 first- and second-round draft pick were traded by the Islanders to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Thomas Vanek.[7] Moulson scored two goals in his first game as a Sabre in a 4–3 losing effort to the Dallas Stars.

Moulson and Sabres forward Cody McCormick were then both traded to the Minnesota Wild on March 5, 2014, in exchange for Torrey Mitchell, a 2014 second-round pick (acquired from Winnipeg) and Minnesota's 2016 second-round pick (later traded to Montreal for Josh Gorges).[8]

On July 1, 2014, Moulson returned to the Sabres, signing a five-year, $25 million contract.[9]

After a difficult 2015–16 season that saw Moulson struggle under new Sabres coach Dan Bylsma and score a career-low 21 points (8 goals and 13 assists), he was rumored to be a buyout candidate. The Sabres ultimately decided to keep Moulson, and he eventually improved to 32 points (14 goals and 18 assists) in 2016–17.

Moulson was placed on waivers by the Sabres on December 4, 2017.[10] He cleared waivers the following day and, with the Sabres unwilling to clear a roster spot on the Rochester Americans for him at the expense of their up-and-coming prospects, was lent to the Ontario Reign.[11][12]

On July 24, 2019, Moulson signed a one-year contract with the Hershey Bears.[13] He was recently selected as captain of the 2020 AHL All-Star Classic alongside Matthew Ford.[14] The Hershey Bears later confirmed his retirement on July 11, 2022.[15]

Personal life

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Moulson married Alicia Backman, who is the daughter of former NHL player Mike Backman, on July 3, 2010. Alicia's sister, Jaclyn, is the wife of current New York Rangers goaltender Jonathan Quick.[16] Moulson's sister Shannon played her NCAA college ice hockey for the Niagara Purple Eagles women's ice hockey program and formerly competed in the Canadian Women's Hockey League for the Toronto Furies.[17] Moulson's brother Chris played for two years at Cornell University, Matt's alma mater, and last played at Acadia University.[18]

The couple have two children together, their first child, Mila Toni, was born on August 6, 2012,[19] and the couple's second child, George Benjamin, was born on October 11, 2013.[20] Former Islanders' teammate John Tavares is the godfather of Moulson's daughter, Mila[21] and Kyle Okposo is the godfather of Moulson's son, George, who is also believed to be named after his wife's own godfather George McPhee, who is President of Hockey OPS for the Vegas Golden Knights.[22][23]

Moulson is also a lacrosse player; in fact, he was drafted higher in the National Lacrosse League (NLL) than in the NHL, being selected in the fourth round, 37th overall, by the Rochester Knighthawks.[24]

Career statistics

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1999–00 Mississauga Braves AA GTHL U18 — — — — — — — — — —
2000–01 Guelph Dominators MWJHL 43 31 24 55 63 5 7 5 12 18
2001–02 Guelph Dominators MWJHL 42 56 46 102 80 — — — — —
2001–02 Springfield Spirit NAHL 1 2 0 2 2 — — — — —
2002–03 Cornell University ECAC 33 13 10 23 22 — — — — —
2003–04 Cornell University ECAC 32 18 17 35 37 — — — — —
2004–05 Cornell University ECAC 34 22 20 42 33 — — — — —
2005–06 Cornell University ECAC 35 18 20 38 14 — — — — —
2006–07 Manchester Monarchs AHL 77 25 32 57 23 16 2 3 5 8
2007–08 Manchester Monarchs AHL 57 28 28 56 29 4 2 0 2 4
2007–08 Los Angeles Kings NHL 22 5 4 9 4 — — — — —
2008–09 Los Angeles Kings NHL 7 1 0 1 2 — — — — —
2008–09 Manchester Monarchs AHL 54 21 26 47 35 — — — — —
2009–10 New York Islanders NHL 82 30 18 48 16 — — — — —
2010–11 New York Islanders NHL 82 31 22 53 24 — — — — —
2011–12 New York Islanders NHL 82 36 33 69 6 — — — — —
2012–13 New York Islanders NHL 47 15 29 44 4 6 2 1 3 10
2013–14 New York Islanders NHL 11 6 3 9 6 — — — — —
2013–14 Buffalo Sabres NHL 44 11 18 29 20 — — — — —
2013–14 Minnesota Wild NHL 20 6 7 13 8 10 1 2 3 4
2014–15 Buffalo Sabres NHL 77 13 28 41 4 — — — — —
2015–16 Buffalo Sabres NHL 81 8 13 21 16 — — — — —
2016–17 Buffalo Sabres NHL 81 14 18 32 10 — — — — —
2017–18 Buffalo Sabres NHL 14 0 0 0 2 — — — — —
2017–18 Ontario Reign AHL 49 18 28 46 16 4 1 1 2 2
2018–19 Ontario Reign AHL 68 28 34 62 48 — — — — —
2019–20 Hershey Bears AHL 62 22 19 41 24 — — — — —
2020–21 Hershey Bears AHL 33 12 12 24 43 — — — — —
2021–22 Hershey Bears AHL 24 5 12 17 10 — — — — —
AHL totals 424 159 191 350 228 24 5 4 9 12
NHL totals 650 176 193 369 122 16 3 3 6 14

Awards and honours

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Award Year
College
All-ECAC Hockey First Team 2004–05
AHCA East Second-Team All-American 2004–05
ECAC Hockey All-Tournament Team 2005 [25]
All-ECAC Hockey Second Team 2005–06

References

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  1. ^ "Article written by Matt Moulson". Archived from the original on 2002-05-01. Retrieved 2009-04-02.
  2. ^ "Kings sign Matt Moulson to an entry-level contract". Los Angeles Kings. 2006-09-01. Retrieved 2009-07-06.
  3. ^ "Aubin, Brown lead Kings over Sharks for fifth win in six games". CBS Sports. 2007-11-02. Retrieved 2009-07-06.
  4. ^ "Isles sign Moore, Moulson, Mauldin and Flood for next season". New York Islanders. 2009-07-06. Retrieved 2009-07-06.
  5. ^ Botta, Christopher.Islanders, Matt Moulson Avoid Arbitration with One-Year Deal,NHL Fanhouse, 2010-07-27. Retrieved on 2010-07-28.
  6. ^ "Islanders sign Moulson to three-year extension". New York Islanders. 2011-01-27. Retrieved 2011-01-27.
  7. ^ Stubis, Brain (October 27, 2013). "Thomas Vanek traded to Islanders for Matt Moulson, picks". CBS Sports. Retrieved October 28, 2013.
  8. ^ John, Vogl (March 5, 2014). "Source: Sabres send Moulson and McCormick to Minnesota for undisclosed picks and Torrey Mitchell". Buffalo News. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  9. ^ "Moulson heads back to Sabres for 5-years $25 million". CBS Sports. 2014-07-01. Retrieved 2014-07-01.
  10. ^ "Sabres to Place Moulson on Waivers". Buffalo Sabres. December 4, 2017. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  11. ^ Harrington, Mike (December 5, 2017). "Update: Moulson Clears Waivers, Sabres May be Working a Deal". Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  12. ^ Hoppe, Bill (December 5, 2017). "Matt Moulson clears waivers, sent to Ontario Reign". Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  13. ^ "Bears sign forward Matt Moulson to AHL deal". Hershey Bears. July 24, 2019. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  14. ^ Pr, Ahl. "Moulson, Ford named All-Star playing captains". Theahl.com. Retrieved 2019-12-18.
  15. ^ "After an a[sic] 16-year pro career, including three seasons in Hershey, captain @MMoulson is retiring and moving into a scouting role with @MapleLeafs". Twitter.com. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
  16. ^ Lew, Deborah (February 10, 2012). "One Big Hockey Family". NHL.com. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  17. ^ "SHANNON MOULSON". eliteprospects.com. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  18. ^ "CHRIS MOULSON". eliteprospects.com. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  19. ^ "Moulson takes wife and baby Mila home". Twitter. 2013-08-10. Retrieved 2015-10-06.
  20. ^ "'Whirlwind' day for new dad Moulson". New York Post. 2013-10-11. Retrieved 2015-10-06.
  21. ^ Strang, Katie (February 21, 2013). "Tavares surrounded by youth". ESPN.co.uk. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  22. ^ "Moulson names second child George". Russian Machine Never Breaks. 2013-10-31. Retrieved 2015-10-06.
  23. ^ LaBarber, Jourdon (July 1, 2016). "WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE KYLE OKPOSO SIGNING". NHL.com. Buffalo Sabres. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  24. ^ Gormley, Chuck (2009-11-17). "The NHL's version of Rudy and Rocky all in one". NHL.com. Retrieved 2009-12-21.
  25. ^ "All-Tournament Honors" (PDF). ECAC Hockey. Retrieved 2014-05-12.
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