Top Prospects: Matt Nickerson
| Matt
Nickerson |
| Vital Info |
Born: January 11, 1985 in New Haven, Connecticut
Height/Weight: 6-4/235 pounds
Position: Defense
Shoots: Right
Drafted by the Dallas Stars in the third round (99th overall) of the
2003 NHL Entry Draft |
| 2006-07 season |
| Split time between Iowa of the AHL and Idaho of the ECHL and was
tried at forward at times during the season. Had three assists and 97
penalty minutes in 40 games with Iowa. He scored one goal, added one
assist and had 73 penalty minutes in 13 games for Idaho. He was
suspended in late March for 16 games (eight regular season, eight
playoffs) and did not play for the rest of the season. |
| Background |
| Played with Assat in Finland's SM-Liiga, picking up five goals,
eight assists, a plus-eight rating and 236 penalty minutes in 36 games.
Had one assist, a plus-one rating and 50 penalty minutes in 14 playoff
games. ... Had one goal, 11 assists, a minus-four rating and 182
penalty minutes in 48 games with Victoriaville of the Quebec Major
Junior Hockey League. He had one assist, a minus-four rating and 27
penalty minutes in six playoff games. Served an 11-game suspension
during the regular season for returning to the bench area after being
ejected from a game and taunting players on the other team.... Had five goals, nine assists and 179 penalty minutes in 38 games for
Clarkson University in 2003-04. The 179 penalty minutes were an ECAC
single season record.... Signed a three-year contract with the Stars in
April 2004.... Was ranked 102nd among North America skaters by Central
Scouting prior to the 2003 NHL draft.... Played two season
for the Texas Tornado junior team and led the league with 277 penalty
minutes in 2002-03..... Saw his stock elevated among scouts after showing some
offensive prowess in 2002-03 when he had six goals and 23 assists in 47
games for the Tornado. |
| Scouting Report |
| Nickerson is a physical, mean, nasty defenseman with great size and
strength. Will deliver big hits. Not a great skater, but has shown
some offensive ability at both the junior and college level. Can handle
the puck and is developing better hockey sense. Is being considered for
a move to a forward position. |
| Quotable |
"Matt Nickerson is really raw and big. With a little nurturing and
coaching and patience, this kid has a chance. He'll go through some hard
learning stages but then there will be a reward from him and us."
Stars assistant GM Les Jackson on Matt Nickerson in an interview with
NHL.com
"He's learning about the game and about life,
and we might not see the best come out of his game for a couple years,
but he's big and mean. He's got pretty good puck skills and he thinks
the game well. If he can pull it all together, he'll be a good NHL
player. We have to be patient with him and keep working with him. He's
got a strong desire."
Stars assistant GM Les Jackson on Matt Nickerson in an interview with
Dallasstars.com
"Matt Nickerson is the biggest, meanest, nastiest S.O.B. in this
year's draft."
The Red Line Report on Matt Nickerson prior to the 2003 NHL Entry
Draft
|
| Career Stats |
| Season |
Team |
GP |
G |
A |
PTS |
PIM |
| 2001-02 |
Texas (NAHL) |
47 |
1 |
12 |
13 |
97 |
| 2002-03 |
Texas (NAHL) |
47 |
6 |
23 |
29 |
277 |
| 2003-04 |
Clarkson (NCAA) |
38 |
5 |
9 |
14 |
179 |
| 2004-05 |
Victoriaville (QMJHL) |
48 |
1 |
11 |
12 |
182 |
| 2005-06 |
Assat (Finland) |
36 |
5 |
8 |
13 |
236 |
| 2006-07 |
Iowa (AHL) |
40 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
97 |
| 2006-07 |
Idaho (ECHL) |
13 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
73 |
|
This page is not affiliated with the Dallas
Stars Hockey Club, the National Hockey League
or the National Hockey League Players' Association
Privacy Statement
|
Contact |
|
|
Indicates Subscriber only
content