Shawn Matthias, a Canadian professional ice hockey forward, spent a decade in the National Hockey League (NHL) showcasing his skills across several teams. Born on February 19, 1988, in Mississauga, Ontario, Matthias began his journey in hockey at a young age, eventually catching the attention of scouts with his performance in junior leagues.
Drafted 47th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, Matthias's rights were traded to the Florida Panthers in February 2007. He made his NHL debut with the Panthers during the 2007-2008 season. Over the next few years, Matthias developed into a reliable forward for Florida, known for his size and ability to play both center and wing positions. His tenure with the Panthers saw him gradually increase his offensive output, culminating in a career-high 14 goals during the 2012-2013 season.
In March 2014, Matthias was traded to the Vancouver Canucks as part of a deal that sent Roberto Luongo back to Florida. With the Canucks, Matthias continued to be a solid presence on the ice, achieving a personal best of 18 goals in the 2014-2015 season. His performance with Vancouver highlighted his ability to contribute offensively while maintaining a strong physical presence.
The Toronto Maple Leafs signed Matthias as a free agent in July 2015. His time with the Maple Leafs was relatively short, as he was traded to the Colorado Avalanche in February 2016. Matthias finished the 2015-2016 season with the Avalanche, providing veteran experience to a young team.
In July 2016, Matthias signed a two-year contract with the Winnipeg Jets. His role with the Jets was primarily as a depth forward, where he contributed both offensively and defensively. Injuries, however, limited his playing time during his stint in Winnipeg, and he was not re-signed after his contract expired in 2018.
Throughout his NHL career, Matthias played in over 550 games, recording more than 150 points.
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