Matt Stajan
Encyclopedia
Matthew Stajan is a Canadian
professional ice hockey
centre
currently playing for the Calgary Flames
of the National Hockey League
(NHL). Matthew is of Slovenian descent and holds dual citizenship of Canada
and Slovenia
.
. As a young hockey player, Stajan played for such minor hockey organizations as Port Credit, Streetsville Tigers, Toronto Red Wings, North York Rangers and the Mississauga Senators.
Stajan was drafted to the OHL in the 4th round, 79th overall by the Belleville Bulls
in the 2000 Ontario Hockey League
(OHL) priority selection.
After a strong year in Belleville where Stajan scored 33 goals and had 85 points for the Bulls. He was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs
in the second round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft
with the 57th overall selection.
The following season he led the Belleville Bulls in scoring with 34 goals and 94 points. Only 3 days after his last OHL game, Stajan played one game for the St. John's Maple Leafs, recording an assist. And one day later he played a game for the Toronto Maple Leafs, in which he scored his first NHL goal on his first shot against the Ottawa Senators
' goalie
Martin Prusek
.
Stajan had played in three different leagues (OHL, AHL, NHL), and recorded a point in each league, in less then a week.
. In his rookie season, Matt was selected to play in the NHL Young Stars game where he recorded two points (1 goal, 1 assist) in the game. He ended his rookie season with 14 goals, and 27 points.
While the 2004–05 NHL season was canceled due to the lockout, Stajan played for the St. John's Maple Leafs
, the American Hockey League
(AHL) affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
During the 2005–06 NHL season, Stajan tied Marián Hossa
for first place in shorthanded points in the NHL with 8 points (four goals, four assists).
On September 13, 2006, one day before the start of training camp for the 2006-07 NHL season
, the Leafs re-signed Stajan to a two-year deal worth $1.75 million.
On July 7, 2008, Stajan re-signed with the Leafs inking a two-year, $3.5 million deal.
During the 2008–09 NHL season
, Stajan lead the Leafs in points for most of the season until Jason Blake passed him near the end of the season. He ended the season with 15 goals, 40 assists and 55 points.
On January 31, 2010, Stajan was traded along with Jamal Mayers
, Niklas Hagman
and Ian White to the Calgary Flames
for Dion Phaneuf
, Fredrik Sjöström
and prospect Keith Aulie
.
Stajan was set to become an unrestricted Free Agent at seasons end. And Calgary rewarded him with a 4 year contract extension before he hit Free Agency.
Stajan ended the 2009-10 NHL season, with a career high in goals and points. Finishing with 19 goals and 57 points.
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
professional ice hockey
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...
centre
Centre (ice hockey)
The centre in ice hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play is the middle of the ice, away from the side boards. Centres have more flexibility in their positioning and are expected to cover more ice surface than any other player...
currently playing for the Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
of the National Hockey League
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...
(NHL). Matthew is of Slovenian descent and holds dual citizenship of Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
.
Hockey career
Stajan has worn #14 throughout his whole career in honour of his late uncle Robert, who passed away at a young age from cancer. While playing for the Leafs, Matt has stated that he would change his # if the Leafs were ever to retire it for Former Leafs great Dave Keon. Matt is currently wearing the #18 with the Calgary Flames because no one has worn the #14 in Calgary since Theo Fleury did. And many believe it will be retired soon in the Flames organization.Minor leagues
Stajan attended St. Timothy's Elementary School and Iona Catholic Secondary SchoolIona Catholic Secondary School
Iona Catholic Secondary School is a school in the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board. It provides education to students from the Clarkson and Lorne Park areas of Mississauga, Ontario.-Elementary feeder schools:...
. As a young hockey player, Stajan played for such minor hockey organizations as Port Credit, Streetsville Tigers, Toronto Red Wings, North York Rangers and the Mississauga Senators.
Stajan was drafted to the OHL in the 4th round, 79th overall by the Belleville Bulls
Belleville Bulls
The Belleville Bulls are a junior ice hockey team, founded in 1981 based in Belleville, Ontario, Canada. The team plays in the Eastern Division of the Eastern Conference of the Ontario Hockey League.-History:...
in the 2000 Ontario Hockey League
Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
(OHL) priority selection.
After a strong year in Belleville where Stajan scored 33 goals and had 85 points for the Bulls. He was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in the second round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft
2002 NHL Entry Draft
The 2002 NHL Entry Draft was held June 22–23 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. 291 players were drafted in total: 35 from the OHL; 23 from the QMJHL; 43 from the WHL; 41 from the NCAA; 6 from U.S high schools and 110 from outside North America....
with the 57th overall selection.
The following season he led the Belleville Bulls in scoring with 34 goals and 94 points. Only 3 days after his last OHL game, Stajan played one game for the St. John's Maple Leafs, recording an assist. And one day later he played a game for the Toronto Maple Leafs, in which he scored his first NHL goal on his first shot against the Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
' goalie
Goaltender
In ice hockey, the goaltender is the player who defends his team's goal net by stopping shots of the puck from entering his team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring...
Martin Prusek
Martin Prusek
Martin Prusek is a Czech a former professional ice hockey goaltender and currently ice-hockey goaltender coach. Prusek has played in the National Hockey League for the Ottawa Senators and Columbus Blue Jackets...
.
Stajan had played in three different leagues (OHL, AHL, NHL), and recorded a point in each league, in less then a week.
NHL
At the age of 20, Stajan was able to make the Toronto Maple Leafs roster for the start of the 2003-04 NHL season2003-04 NHL season
The 2003–04 NHL season was the 87th regular season of the National Hockey League. The thirty teams played 82 games in a revamped format that increased divisional games from 5 to 6 per team , conference games from 3 to 4 , and decreased inter-conference games to at least one per team, with three...
. In his rookie season, Matt was selected to play in the NHL Young Stars game where he recorded two points (1 goal, 1 assist) in the game. He ended his rookie season with 14 goals, and 27 points.
While the 2004–05 NHL season was canceled due to the lockout, Stajan played for the St. John's Maple Leafs
St. John's Maple Leafs
The St. John's Maple Leafs were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada at Memorial Stadium from 1991–2001, and at Mile One Stadium from 2001–2005.-History:...
, the 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...
(AHL) affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
During the 2005–06 NHL season, Stajan tied Marián Hossa
Marian Hossa
Marián Hossa is a Slovak professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League . Hossa was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft; after playing for the Senators, he played for the Atlanta Thrashers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and...
for first place in shorthanded points in the NHL with 8 points (four goals, four assists).
On September 13, 2006, one day before the start of training camp for the 2006-07 NHL season
2006-07 NHL season
In each round, the highest remaining seed in each conference is matched against the lowest remaining seed. The higher-seeded team is awarded home ice advantage, which gives them a maximum possible four games on their home ice, with the other team getting a maximum possible three...
, the Leafs re-signed Stajan to a two-year deal worth $1.75 million.
On July 7, 2008, Stajan re-signed with the Leafs inking a two-year, $3.5 million deal.
During the 2008–09 NHL season
2008–09 NHL season
The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the...
, Stajan lead the Leafs in points for most of the season until Jason Blake passed him near the end of the season. He ended the season with 15 goals, 40 assists and 55 points.
On January 31, 2010, Stajan was traded along with Jamal Mayers
Jamal Mayers
Jamal David Mayers is a professional ice hockey forward who currently plays for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League. He wore jersey number 21 for the Toronto Maple Leafs and the St. Louis Blues, number 19 for the Flames, and number 10 for the San Jose Sharks...
, Niklas Hagman
Niklas Hagman
Niklas Hagman is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League . He was a third round pick of the Florida Panthers, 70th overall, at the 1999 NHL Entry Draft and made his NHL debut with Florida in 2001...
and Ian White to the Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
for Dion Phaneuf
Dion Phaneuf
Dion Phaneuf is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League...
, Fredrik Sjöström
Fredrik Sjöström
Fredrik Sjöström is a Swedish professional ice hockey winger playing with Frölunda HC of the Elitserien. He previously played in the National Hockey League for the Phoenix Coyotes, New York Rangers, Calgary Flames and Toronto Maple Leafs.-Playing career:Sjöström is a big but speedy forward who...
and prospect Keith Aulie
Keith Aulie
Keith Aulie is a Canadian ice hockey defenceman for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League . Aulie was drafted by the Calgary Flames 116th overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. Aulie played junior hockey for the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League , and was honoured as...
.
Stajan was set to become an unrestricted Free Agent at seasons end. And Calgary rewarded him with a 4 year contract extension before he hit Free Agency.
Stajan ended the 2009-10 NHL season, with a career high in goals and points. Finishing with 19 goals and 57 points.
International play
Stajan was a member of Team Canada in 2003 World Junior Championships2003 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
-Group B:All times local .-Relegation round:Results from any games played during the preliminary round were carried forward to the relegation round.All times local ....
.
Awards and achievements
- 2003–04 NHL YoungStarsNHL YoungStars GameThe NHL YoungStars Game started in 2002, to replace the Heroes of Hockey Old-Timers game during the All-Star Weekend activities. The first four games were played as separate games to the actual All-Star Game, but starting in 2008, it was changed to become part of the NHL Super Skills Competition,...
team
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 | ||
| 2000–01 | Belleville Bulls Belleville Bulls The Belleville Bulls are a junior ice hockey team, founded in 1981 based in Belleville, Ontario, Canada. The team plays in the Eastern Division of the Eastern Conference of the Ontario Hockey League.-History:... |
OHL Ontario Hockey League The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada.... |
57 | 9 | 18 | 27 | 27 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 5 | ||
| 2001–02 | Belleville Bulls | OHL | 68 | 33 | 52 | 85 | 50 | 11 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 14 | ||
| 2002–03 | Belleville Bulls | OHL | 57 | 34 | 60 | 94 | 75 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 16 | ||
| 2002–03 2002–03 AHL season The 2002–03 AHL season was the 67th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-eight teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hamilton Bulldogs finished first overall in the regular season... |
St. John's Maple Leafs St. John's Maple Leafs The St. John's Maple Leafs were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada at Memorial Stadium from 1991–2001, and at Mile One Stadium from 2001–2005.-History:... |
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 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2002–03 | Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
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... |
1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2003–04 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 69 | 14 | 13 | 27 | 22 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 2004–05 2004–05 AHL season The 2004–05 AHL season was the 69th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-eight teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Rochester Americans finished first overall in the regular season... |
St. John's Maple Leafs | AHL | 80 | 23 | 43 | 66 | 43 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | ||
| 2005–06 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 80 | 15 | 12 | 27 | 50 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2006–07 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 82 | 10 | 29 | 39 | 44 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 82 | 16 | 17 | 33 | 47 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 2008–09 NHL season The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the... |
Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 76 | 15 | 40 | 55 | 54 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2009–10 2009–10 NHL season The 2009–10 NHL season was the 93rd season of operation of the National Hockey League , and the 100th season since the founding of the predecessor National Hockey Association . It ran from October 1, 2009, including four games in Europe on October 2 and 3—until April 11, 2010, with the 2010... |
Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 55 | 16 | 25 | 41 | 30 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2009–10 | Calgary Flames Calgary Flames The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the... |
NHL | 27 | 3 | 13 | 16 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2010–11 2010–11 NHL season The 2010–11 NHL season was the 94th season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the fourth consecutive season that opened in Europe with NHL Premiere . A record three events were scheduled, all in previous NHL Premiere cities: Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden; and Prague, Czech... |
Calgary Flames | NHL | 76 | 6 | 25 | 31 | 32 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 547 | 96 | 174 | 270 | 277 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||||