Matt Davis (ice hockey) explained

Matt Davis
Birth Date:16 June 2001
Birth Place:Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Height Ft:6
Height In:1
Weight Lbs:195
Position:Goaltender
Catches:Right
League:NCAA
Team:University of Denver

Matthew Davis (born June 16, 2001) is a Canadian college ice hockey goaltender for the University of Denver of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). He was named the Most Outstanding Player at the 2024 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament.

Playing career

Davis spent one season with the Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League (USHL). During the 2020–21 season, he appeared in 35 games and posted a 20–9–2 record, with a 3.34 goals against average (GAA), .895 save percentage and three shutouts.[1]

Davis began his college ice hockey career for Denver during the 2021–22 season. During his freshman year, he served as the backup goaltender to Magnus Chrona, and appeared in six games with four starts and posted a 3–1–0 record, with a 1.96 GAA and .923 save percentage. He started his first career game on October 16, 2021, and posted a 25-save shutout against Air Force. During the 2022–23 season, in his sophomore year, he appeared in 13 games, with eight starts and posted an 8–1–0 record, with a 1.77 GAA and .925 save percentage.[1]

During the 2023–24 season, in his junior year, he started 31 games, and posted a 23–5–3 record, with a 2.34 GAA and .917 save percentage in his first full season as a starter. He was named National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) Goaltender of the Month and Hockey Commissioners Association (HCA) Goaltender of the Month for the month of March 2024, after he posted a 9–1–0, with a 1.89 GAA and a .931 save percentage. He became the first Denver goaltender to earn the HCA Goaltender of the Month award.[2] [3] During the national semifinals at the 2024 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament, Davis stopped 34 of 35 shots to lead Denver to a 2–1 overtime win against Boston University.[4] During the championship game, he posted a 35 save shutout against Boston College, to help Denver win their record tenth NCAA tournament championship.[5] During the NCAA tournament he made 138 saves and allowed just three goals in four games. Following his outstanding performance, he was named to the NCAA All-Tournament team and tournament Most Outstanding Player.[6] [7]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

SeasonTeamLeagueGP W L T MIN GA SO GAA SV%
2020–21Green Bay GamblersUSHL35 20 9 2 1,866 104 3 3.34 .895
2021–22NCHC6 3 1 0 275 9 1 1.96 .923
2022–23University of DenverNCHC13 8 1 0 509 15 1 1.77 .925
2023–24University of DenverNCHC31 23 5 3 1,871 73 2 2.34 .917
NCAA totals50 34 7 3 2,655 97 4 2.19 .919

Awards and honors

AwardYear
College
NCAA All-Tournament Team2024
NCAA Tournament MVP2024

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Matt Davis . denverpioneers.com . April 13, 2024.
  2. Web site: Matt Davis Named National Goaltender of the Month for March . denverpioneers.com . Ron . Knabenbauer . April 4, 2024 . April 13, 2024.
  3. Web site: Goaltender Matt Davis peaking at the right time for DU Pioneers hockey . . Tyler . King . April 11, 2024 . April 13, 2024.
  4. Web site: Denver finds its goaltending at the right time, advances to title game . . Brad Elliott . Schlossman . April 11, 2024 . April 13, 2024.
  5. Web site: Perfect 10: Denver Wins Record-Breaking 10th National Championship . denverpioneers.com . Niko . Blankenship . April 13, 2024 . April 13, 2024.
  6. Web site: Boston College falls to Denver in Frozen Four Championship game as Matt Davis shuts out Eagles . cbsnews.com . Matt . Geagan . April 13, 2024 . April 13, 2024.
  7. Web site: A perfect 10: Matt Davis, DU Pioneers shut down No. 1-ranked Boston College to claim record 10th NCAA title . . Corey . Masisak . April 13, 2024 . April 13, 2024.