Matt Irwin, a Canadian professional ice hockey defenseman, embarked on his NHL journey with the San Jose Sharks. Born on November 29, 1987, in Victoria, British Columbia, Irwin's path to the NHL was not a straightforward one. After playing junior hockey with the Nanaimo Clippers in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), he went on to play college hockey at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. His performance in college hockey caught the attention of NHL scouts, leading to his signing with the San Jose Sharks as an undrafted free agent in 2010.
Irwin spent several seasons honing his skills in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Worcester Sharks, the AHL affiliate of San Jose. His hard work paid off when he made his NHL debut with the San Jose Sharks during the 2012-2013 season. Irwin quickly established himself as a reliable defenseman, known for his strong shot from the point and his ability to contribute offensively. During his time with the Sharks, he played in 153 regular-season games, scoring 16 goals and adding 34 assists.
In 2015, Irwin signed with the Boston Bruins, where he played a brief stint before being placed on waivers and subsequently assigned to their AHL affiliate, the Providence Bruins. His time with Boston was short-lived, and he soon found himself signing with the Nashville Predators in 2016. It was with the Predators that Irwin found a more stable role, becoming a regular part of their defensive lineup. He played a crucial role during the Predators' run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2017, where they ultimately fell to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Irwin's tenure with the Predators lasted until 2019, after which he signed with the Anaheim Ducks. His time with the Ducks was marked by a trade to the Buffalo Sabres during the 2019-2020 season. With the Sabres, Irwin continued to provide depth and experience to the defensive corps. In 2021, he signed with the Washington Capitals, where he continued to play as a depth defenseman, contributing both on and off the ice with his veteran presence.
Throughout his NHL career, Irwin was known for his steady defensive play and his ability to step up when needed.
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