Stéphane Matteau Explained

Stéphane Matteau
Birth Date:2 September 1969
Birth Place:Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, Canada
Height Ft:6
Height In:4
Weight Lb:220
Position:Left wing
Shoots:Left
Played For:Calgary Flames
Chicago Blackhawks
New York Rangers
St. Louis Blues
San Jose Sharks
Florida Panthers
Draft:25th overall
Draft Year:1987
Draft Team:Calgary Flames
Career Start:1989
Career End:2003

Stéphane Matteau (born September 2, 1969) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played over 800 regular-season games in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted in the second round, 25th overall, by the Calgary Flames in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career

As a member of the New York Rangers 1994 Stanley Cup Championship team, Matteau scored two overtime goals in the Eastern Conference Finals against the New Jersey Devils, including one that ended the series and became an iconic goal in Rangers lore. His first overtime goal ended Game 3 at 6:13 of the second overtime in New Jersey giving the Rangers a 3–2 victory and a 2–1 series lead.

His second goal came at 4:24 of the second overtime of Game 7 at Madison Square Garden. Matteau scored off a wrap around that was intended for a pass to Esa Tikkanen, only to have it bounced off a stick on the left side of New Jersey's rookie goaltender Martin Brodeur, a play which has been immortalized by the dramatic play-by-play call of Rangers radio announcer Howie Rose: [1] [2] [3]

Matteau finished his career in 2002–03 with the Florida Panthers and their minor league affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage, and had a career total 742 penalty minutes, 144 goals and 172 assists for 316 total points in 848 games.

Matteau also was a member of the Rouyn Quebec team that played in the Little League World Series in 1982 along with fellow NHL player and first overall pick in his draft, Pierre Turgeon.[4]

Matteau played for head coach Mike Keenan on four separate occasions; with the Blackhawks, Rangers, Blues, and Panthers.

Personal life

Matteau served as an assistant coach with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada of the QMJHL for two seasons.

Matteau's son, Stefan, is also a professional hockey player. He currently plays for ERC Ingolstadt of the DEL. Stefan was drafted 29th overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft by the New Jersey Devils, the team against which his father scored his famed goal in the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals.[5]

Matteau's daughter, Alyson plays for the NWHL's Buffalo Beauts.[6]

Matteau represented Canada in the Little League World Series in 1982, along with former NHLer Pierre Turgeon.

Career statistics

Team League GP GPG A Pts PIM
1985–86Hull OlympiquesQMJHL6068141940000
1985–86Hull OlympiquesMC50005
1986–87Hull OlympiquesQMJHL69274875113837108
1987–88Hull OlympiquesQMJHL57174057179185141994
1987–88Hull OlympiquesMC41234
1988–89Hull OlympiquesQMJHL594445892029861430
1988–89Salt Lake Golden EaglesIHL904413
1989–90Salt Lake Golden EaglesIHL812335581301063938
1990–91Calgary FlamesNHL781519349350110
1991–92Calgary FlamesNHL410119
1991–92Chicago BlackhawksNHL2058134518461024
1992–93Chicago BlackhawksNHL791518339830112
1993–94Chicago BlackhawksNHL6515163155
1993–94New York RangersNHL1243722363920
1994–95New York RangersNHL4135825901110
1995–96New York RangersNHL3242622
1995–96St. Louis BluesNHL467132065110228
1996–97St. Louis BluesNHL741620365050000
1997–98San Jose SharksNHL731514296040110
1998–99San Jose SharksNHL68815237350006
1999–00San Jose SharksNHL6912122461100228
2000–01San Jose SharksNHL801319323261340
2001–02San Jose SharksNHL55741115101232
2002–03AHL30004
2002–03Florida PanthersNHL5244827
NHL totals84814417231674210912223480

Notes and References

  1. News: Kaplan . Dave . 2019-02-08 . For Stephane Matteau, a Famous Goal Could Not Cover the Darkness . 2024-03-09 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
  2. Web site: Best . Neil . 2019-02-08 . Forever linked by goal and call, Stephane Matteau and Howie Rose recall 1994 Rangers . 2024-03-09 . Newsday . en.
  3. Web site: McCarron . Anthony . 2012-05-14 . For Howie Rose, 'Matteau, Matteau, Matteau!' call in NY Rangers' Game 7 win still lights lamp . 2024-03-09 . New York Daily News . en-US.
  4. Web site: Former Little League World Series Participants . 21 April 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110101004520/http://www.littleleague.org/media/newsarchive/04_2005/05turgeon.htm . 1 January 2011 .
  5. News: There will be bloodlines . . 2013-04-15 . 2013-04-15.
  6. Web site: Beauts sign daughter of '94 Rangers Cup hero Hockey buffalonews.com. 24 June 2020.