Matt Niskanen
| Matt Niskanen | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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| Born |
December 6, 1986 Virginia, Minnesota, U.S. |
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| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) | ||
| Weight | 204 lb (93 kg; 14 st 8 lb) | ||
| Position | Defense | ||
| Shoots | Right | ||
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NHL team Former teams |
Washington Capitals Dallas Stars Pittsburgh Penguins |
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| National team |
 United States
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| NHL Draft | 28th overall, 2005 Dallas Stars |
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| Playing career | 2007–present | ||
Matthew Norman Niskanen (born December 6, 1986) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman of Finnish origin who currently plays for the Washington Capitals in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted by the Dallas Stars in the first round, 28th overall, in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.
Niskanen attended the University of Minnesota Duluth. In 2005–06, during his freshman season, he recorded 14 points in 38 games. Before that, Niskanen played for the Virginia/Mountain Iron-Buhl boys' hockey team and helped bring the Blue Devils to their first state high school tournament appearance. During 2006–07, his sophomore season at UMD, he recorded nine goals and twenty-two assists in thirty-nine games. Niskanen was named to the 2006–07 All WCHA First Team, and the All WCHA academic Team.
Niskanen decided to leave college and turn pro after his sophomore season at UMD. On March 19, 2007, he signed an amateur tryout contract with the Iowa Stars for the rest of the season; he later signed a three-year NHL contract with the Dallas Stars which began in 2007–08. He subsequently made the Stars' 2007–08 roster out of training camp.
Niskanen made his NHL regular season debut against the Colorado Avalanche on October 3, 2007. He recorded his first NHL points against the Boston Bruins two nights later with two assists. His first NHL goal came on October 29, 2007, against the San Jose Sharks. Niskanen had an excellent rookie start with the Stars, leading the team in plus/minus at mid-season, which resulted in his being invited to the Young Stars game during the 2008 NHL All-Star weekend.
On February 21, 2011, Niskanen was traded, along with teammate James Neal, to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for defenseman Alex Goligoski.
During the 2013–14 season, on March 4, 2014, Matt Niskanen had his first multi-goal game with a two-goal effort in a 3-1 win over the Nashville Predators at the Bridgestone Arena. In the final year of his contract with the Penguins and approaching free agency, Niskanen finished the season establishing new career highs in goals (10) & assists (36) for 46 points.
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