Matthew Rich
Encyclopedia
Matthew Rich is a Scottish
professional ice hockey
player, currently plays for Paisley Pirates
in the Scottish National League
. In 2005 he began his professional career, playing for the Edinburgh Capitals
. Prior to this, Rich had still been playing at a high standard, having iced for the Scotland national team at U-13, U-15, U-17 and U-19 levels. He had also been playing for local teams in Scotland, such as the Paisley Pirates
.
In his first professional season with Edinburgh, the young right-winger showed promise and dedication, playing 49 games but only managing to rack up six points in this time. Despite the low points return, Rich signed for the Newcastle Vipers
for the 2006/07 EIHL season, but only played nine games for them before signing for the Manchester Phoenix
part-way through the season to play under fellow Scot Tony Hand
, a team-mate of his in Edinburgh.
During the 2006/07 season, Rich showed himself to be a willing and hard-working player, but mostly played on the third line, a situation which limited his point-scoring opportunities. Rich has struggled with injuries during the 2007/08 season, and was only able to play his first game for the Phoenix in December 2007. Injuries have continued to hamper Rich's career, and he was ruled out for the rest of the 2007/08 season, this time with a knee injury.
Rich's extensive injury problems resulted in his release from the Manchester Phoenix at the end of the 2007/08 season and it is doubtful whether he will be fit enough to play at EIHL level again during his career, although it is hoped he can make a full recovery. Rich took the opportunity after being released by Manchester to return to his native Scotland and sign for the Paisley Pirates
. Rich, after two seasons out, signed for the English National North League 1 team Whitley Warriors. He made his debut against the Flintshire Freeze in a 11-3 victory picking up a goal and assist.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
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...
player, currently plays for Paisley Pirates
Paisley Pirates
The Paisley Pirates were founded in 1946 and are one of the oldest ice hockey clubs in Scotland and the UK . The Pirates were the epitome of the game in Scotland during the 1950s...
in the Scottish National League
Scottish National League
The Scottish National League is the ice hockey league in Scotland.Seen as the third-tier of ice hockey, below the British Elite Ice Hockey League and the English Premier Ice Hockey League . However, its standard of play has been considered closer to the English National Ice Hockey Division One,...
. In 2005 he began his professional career, playing for the Edinburgh Capitals
Edinburgh Capitals
The Edinburgh Capitals are a Scottish ice hockey club, playing in the UK-wide Elite Ice Hockey League.They are based in the Scottish capital, Edinburgh...
. Prior to this, Rich had still been playing at a high standard, having iced for the Scotland national team at U-13, U-15, U-17 and U-19 levels. He had also been playing for local teams in Scotland, such as the Paisley Pirates
Paisley Pirates
The Paisley Pirates were founded in 1946 and are one of the oldest ice hockey clubs in Scotland and the UK . The Pirates were the epitome of the game in Scotland during the 1950s...
.
In his first professional season with Edinburgh, the young right-winger showed promise and dedication, playing 49 games but only managing to rack up six points in this time. Despite the low points return, Rich signed for the Newcastle Vipers
Newcastle Vipers
The Newcastle Vipers were an ice hockey club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Former members of the Elite Ice Hockey League, the club previously held membership in the British National League.- History :...
for the 2006/07 EIHL season, but only played nine games for them before signing for the Manchester Phoenix
Manchester Phoenix
Manchester Phoenix are a professional ice hockey team from Altrincham, Greater Manchester, England. The club was formed in 2003 as a result of the efforts of supporters group Friends of Manchester Ice Hockey to bring top-level ice hockey back to Manchester after Manchester Storm folded in...
part-way through the season to play under fellow Scot Tony Hand
Tony Hand
Tony Hand MBE is a Scottish ice hockey player who became the first British-raised player to be drafted by an NHL team when he was picked by the Edmonton Oilers in 1986. He is currently player-coach of the Manchester Phoenix...
, a team-mate of his in Edinburgh.
During the 2006/07 season, Rich showed himself to be a willing and hard-working player, but mostly played on the third line, a situation which limited his point-scoring opportunities. Rich has struggled with injuries during the 2007/08 season, and was only able to play his first game for the Phoenix in December 2007. Injuries have continued to hamper Rich's career, and he was ruled out for the rest of the 2007/08 season, this time with a knee injury.
Rich's extensive injury problems resulted in his release from the Manchester Phoenix at the end of the 2007/08 season and it is doubtful whether he will be fit enough to play at EIHL level again during his career, although it is hoped he can make a full recovery. Rich took the opportunity after being released by Manchester to return to his native Scotland and sign for the Paisley Pirates
Paisley Pirates
The Paisley Pirates were founded in 1946 and are one of the oldest ice hockey clubs in Scotland and the UK . The Pirates were the epitome of the game in Scotland during the 1950s...
. Rich, after two seasons out, signed for the English National North League 1 team Whitley Warriors. He made his debut against the Flintshire Freeze in a 11-3 victory picking up a goal and assist.
External links
- Matt Rich Personal Profile, Manchester Phoenix Official Website
- "Phoenix Lose Matt Rich For The Season", Manchester Phoenix Official Website, 10/03/08