Matt Nieto
Nieto in June 2023.
Born (1992-11-05) November 5, 1992
Long Beach, California, U.S.
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 187 lb (85 kg; 13 st 5 lb)
Position Left wing
Shoots Left
NHL team
Former teams		 Pittsburgh Penguins
San Jose Sharks
Colorado Avalanche
NHL Draft 47th overall, 2011
San Jose Sharks
Playing career 2013–present

Matthew Evan Nieto (born November 5, 1992) is an American professional ice hockey left winger for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL). He previously played for the San Jose Sharks and the Colorado Avalanche. He was drafted by the Sharks in the second round, 47th overall, of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

Early life and career

Nieto is of Mexican-American descent. Nieto's father, Jesse, is a longshoreman, while his mother, Mary, is a Nordstrom makeup artist.[1]

Nieto grew up in Long Beach, California, in a dangerous neighborhood; his mother had stated: "There were drive-by shootings. He jokes about it, that Snoop Dogg lived around the corner. It's true, but Matt wasn't born then."[2]

When he was two years old, Nieto became interested in skating, particularly rollerblading, when he saw his sister skating in the family's house. His grandfather later bought him a hockey stick, and when he was three Nieto began playing roller hockey at the YMCA.[3] As a youth, he played in the 2004 and 2005 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournaments with the Los Angeles Hockey Club minor ice hockey team, and was teammates with Emerson Etem and Rocco Grimaldi.[4]

Nieto has a sister with Down syndrome and autism and his mother has battled advanced breast cancer.[5][6]

Playing career

Amateur

Nieto began attending Salisbury School, a preparatory school, in Salisbury, Connecticut, at the start of his second year of high school. In one season with the school's hockey team, he scored eight goals and ten assists in 28 games. The performance drew the attention of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, and Nieto subsequently moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to play in the Program.[7] In 2008–09, he played for the under-17 and under-18 teams, scoring 20 goals and 33 assists and six goals and eight assists, respectively. During his time in the program him and three other players including Jon Merrill were suspended for sexual harassment and lewd behaviour.[8] The next season, he played for the Program's United States Hockey League (USHL) team, scoring 15 goals and 14 assists; he also returned to the under-17 team, scoring one goal.[9]

After participating in the Program, Nieto was offered a chance to play major junior hockey for the Tri-City Americans of the Western Hockey League (WHL), but opted to attend college instead and play at the collegiate level.[10] When choosing colleges, Nieto decided between Boston University and Boston College,[7] and elected to attend the former on a full scholarship.[1] In his first year, Nieto scored 10 goals and 13 assists.[7] The next year, he scored 16 goals and 26 assists with a plus-minus rating of +19.[9] In 2012, Nieto scored 18 goals, second-most on the team behind Dan O'Regan, and 19 assists. He ended his Terriers career with 44 goals and 102 points in 115 games.[11]

Nieto was ranked the 43rd-best prospect and the second-best player in the NCAA's Hockey East conference by NHL.com among the 2011 draft class.[12] Hockey's Future stated he had struggled earlier in his career defensively, but had since improved. They added he had "explosive speed," and excels with puck handling and passing while moving. The website gave him a 7.5/10 talent score.[9]

Nieto during his first tenure with the Sharks in 2016.

In the Draft's second round, Nieto was selected by the San Jose Sharks with the 47th overall pick,[11] their first pick of the draft.[13] Nieto became the first Californian to be selected by the team.[1] Regarding Nieto, Sharks Director of Scouting Tim Burke stated, "We were watching this guy over two years now. He has offensive ability on the rush and has shown he can do other roles, like penalty kill."[13]

Professional

Nieto signed a three-year, $2.3 million contract with the Sharks on April 1, 2013.[14][15] He spent time with the Sharks' then-American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Worcester Sharks, during the year, playing in 11 games.[16] He scored two goals with four assists, a −4 plus-minus rating and six penalty minutes.

Nieto made his NHL debut against the Vancouver Canucks on October 3, 2013.[17] He scored his first career NHL goal against Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers on October 8, off assists by Joe Pavelski and Tommy Wingels.[18] Nieto, however, returned to Worcester over one month later, on November 25,[19] though he was later recalled on December 7.[20] Despite being reassigned to the San Francisco Bulls of the ECHL on December 18,[21] Nieto was recalled by the Sharks three days later after an injury to forward Tomáš Hertl.[22]

Nieto scored his first career Stanley Cup playoff goal on April 22, 2014, via an empty net goal against the Los Angeles Kings.[23]

In the 2016–17 season, Nieto struggled to retain his role in adding an offensive touch to the Sharks' bottom six forwards. Surpassed in the depth chart, Nieto played in just 16 games with 2 assists before he was placed on waivers in order to gain more playing time. Nieto was claimed off waivers by the Colorado Avalanche the following day, on January 5, 2017.[24]

On July 25, 2017, Nieto and the Avalanche avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1 million contract.[25] Nieto set career high's in the 2018 season with 74 games played and 15 goals scored. After the year the Avalanche signed Nieto to a two-year deal worth $3.95 Million in July 2018.[26]

As a free agent for the first time in his career at the conclusion of the 2019–20 season, Nieto returned to the San Jose Sharks in signing a one-year, $700,000 contract on October 13, 2020.[27] In the following 2020–21 season, Nieto contributed to the Sharks forward depth, adding 5 goals and 7 points in 25 games before his season was derailed through injury. He made his 500th NHL career appearance in a game against the St. Louis Blues on March 19, 2021, becoming just the third California native to reach the mark behind Brooks Orpik and Jason Zucker.[28]

Nieto with the Colorado Avalanche in 2020.

On June 21, 2021, Nieto agreed to a two-year, $1.7 million contract extension to remain with the Sharks.[29] In the 2021–22 season, having returned to full health, Nieto posted 6 goals and 17 points through 70 regular season games, as the Sharks missed the post-season for the third consecutive season.

In his final year under contract with the Sharks in the 2022–23 season, Nieto showed his versatility amongst the Sharks forward-lines, increasing his scoring output when elevated alongside Logan Couture in scoring 8 goals and 15 points through 48 regular season games. With the Sharks out of contention for a playoff berth, Nieto was traded alongside Ryan Merkley in a return to the Avalanche, in exchange for Martin Kaut and Jacob MacDonald on January 25, 2023.[30][31] He completed the season combining his offensive output between the Sharks and Avalanche to finish with 12 goals and 24 points, both the second highest totals of his career. He was scoreless in 7 playoff contests with the injury struck Avalanche in a first-round defeat to the Seattle Kraken.

As a free agent, Nieto left the Avalanche to sign a two-year, $1.8 million contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins on July 1, 2023.[32]

International play

Medal record
Representing  United States
Ice hockey
IIHF World U18 Championships
Gold medal – first place2009 United States
Gold medal – first place2010 Belarus

Nieto was first selected to represent the United States at the 2009 IIHF World U18 Championships, posting four goals in seven games to help capture the gold medal.[33] He was reselected the following year and successfully defended Team USA's gold medal at the 2010 IIHF World U18 Championships.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2007–08 Salisbury School HS-Prep 23 8 10 18 — — — — —
2008–09 U.S. NTDP U17 USDP 13 9 9 18 8 — — — — —
2008–09 U.S. NTDP U18 USDP 13 6 8 14 14 — — — — —
2008–09 U.S. NTDP U18 NAHL 38 11 24 35 14 — — — — —
2009–10 U.S. NTDP Juniors USHL 24 15 14 29 19 — — — — —
2009–10 U.S. NTDP U17 USDP 3 1 0 1 0 — — — — —
2009–10 U.S. NTDP U18 USDP 54 28 26 54 31 — — — — —
2010–11 Boston University HE 39 10 13 23 16 — — — — —
2011–12 Boston University HE 37 16 26 42 26 — — — — —
2012–13 Boston University HE 39 18 19 37 24 — — — — —
2012–13 Worcester Sharks AHL 11 2 4 6 0 — — — — —
2013–14 San Jose Sharks NHL 66 10 14 24 16 7 2 3 5 0
2013–14 Worcester Sharks AHL 2 2 3 5 0 — — — — —
2014–15 San Jose Sharks NHL 72 10 17 27 20 — — — — —
2015–16 San Jose Sharks NHL 67 8 9 17 10 16 1 2 3 8
2016–17 San Jose Sharks NHL 16 0 2 2 4 — — — — —
2016–17 Colorado Avalanche NHL 43 7 4 11 4 — — — — —
2017–18 Colorado Avalanche NHL 74 15 11 26 14 6 0 3 3 2
2018–19 Colorado Avalanche NHL 64419238 124372
2019–20 Colorado Avalanche NHL 70 8 13 21 6 14 1 2 3 4
2020–21 San Jose Sharks NHL 28 5 2 7 4 — — — — —
2021–22 San Jose Sharks NHL 70 6 11 17 19 — — — — —
2022–23 San Jose Sharks NHL 45 8 7 15 8 — — — — —
2022–23 Colorado Avalanche NHL 36 4 5 9 8 7 0 0 0 2
NHL totals 651 85 114 199 121 62 8 13 21 18

International

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2009 United States WHC17 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 6 3 3 6 6
2009 United States WJC18 1st place, gold medalist(s) 7 4 0 4 12
2010 United States WJC18 1st place, gold medalist(s) 7 1 3 4 4
Junior totals 20 8 6 14 22

References

  1. 1 2 3 Pollak, Dave (April 7, 2014). "San Jose Sharks rookie Matt Nieto helps his mom fight cancer". Mercury News. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  2. ↑ Morley, Sie (October 14, 2017). "Making their mark: Latinos in hockey". Fear The Fin. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  3. ↑ Pollak, David (April 7, 2014). "San Jose Sharks rookie Matt Nieto helps his mom fight cancer". The Mercury News. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  4. ↑ "Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA" (PDF). Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 6, 2019. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  5. ↑ Costello, Brian (April 23, 2014). "SAN JOSE SHARKS ROOKIE MATT NIETO HAS A STORY THAT TUGS AT THE HEART STRINGS". The Hockey News. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  6. ↑ Bourne, Justin (May 9, 2014). "Matt Nieto, and the hockey moms who make dreams possible". TheScore.com. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  7. 1 2 3 Dillon, Kevin (October 11, 2012). "A hockey nomad: Matt Nieto's journey from California kid to BU hockey star". The Daily Free Press. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  8. ↑ https://www.newmindit.com, New Mind Development. "Once Again, Trouble in Ann Arbor | Amateur Hockey News | January 11, 2010". the Inside Word. Retrieved January 10, 2024. {{cite web}}: External link in |last= (help)
  9. 1 2 3 "Matt Nieto". Hockey's Future. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
  10. ↑ Zeltman, Bill (April 27, 2011). "The NCAA and the 2011 NHL Draft: Matthew Nieto". Retrieved February 27, 2015.
  11. 1 2 "Nieto leaves Boston University, signs with San Jose". USCHO News. April 1, 2013. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  12. ↑ "2011 NHL Entry Draft: FINAL RANKINGS". National Hockey League. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  13. 1 2 Pollak, Dave (June 25, 2011). "San Jose Sharks draft California native Matt Nieto". Mercury News. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Nieto leaves Boston University, signs with San Jose". uscho.com. April 1, 2013. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  15. ↑ "Matt Nieto signs one-year contract with Sharks". National Hockey League. July 18, 2016. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  16. ↑ Pollak, Dave (October 22, 2013). "San Jose Sharks rookie Matt Nieto right at home during practice". Mercury News. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  17. ↑ Pashelka, Curtis (October 3, 2013). "Sharks rookies Tomas Hertl, Matt Nieto to see action in season opener". Mercury News. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  18. ↑ "New York Rangers at San Jose Sharks – 10/08/2013". San Jose Sharks. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  19. ↑ Kurz, Kevin (November 25, 2013). "Nieto reassigned to Worcester". Comcast SportsNet Bay Area. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
  20. ↑ Kurz, Kevin (December 7, 2013). "Sharks recall Nieto, Hamilton from Worcester". Comcast SportsNet Bay Area. Archived from the original on October 20, 2014. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
  21. ↑ "Sharks Reassign Matt Nieto to San Francisco". San Jose Sharks. December 18, 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  22. ↑ Kurz, Kevin (December 20, 2013). "Hertl to miss at least a month with knee injury". csnbayarea.com. Archived from the original on December 23, 2013. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  23. ↑ Beachem, Greg (April 23, 2014). "Sharks beat Kings 4–3 in OT, take 3–0 series lead". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
  24. ↑ "Avalanche claims winger Matt Nieto from San Jose Sharks". The Denver Post. January 5, 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
  25. ↑ Arthur, Benjamin (July 25, 2017). "Matt Nieto signs one-year, $1 million deal to remain with Avalanche". The Denver Post. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  26. ↑ "Avalanche signs forward Matt Nieto to two-year contract". July 6, 2018.
  27. ↑ "Sharks sign forward Matt Nieto". San Jose Sharks. October 13, 2020. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
  28. ↑ "Tarasenko shootout goal lifts Blues over Sharks". ESPN. March 19, 2021. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  29. ↑ "Sharks Re-Sign Forward Matt Nieto". National Hockey League. June 21, 2021. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  30. ↑ "Avs get Nieto, Merkley from Sharks for Kaut, MacDonald". The Sports Network. January 25, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  31. ↑ "Avalanche acquires Matt Nieto and Ryan Merkley from San Jose". Colorado Avalanche. January 25, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  32. ↑ "Penguins agree to terms with Matt Nieto on a two-year contract". Pittsburgh Penguins. July 1, 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  33. ↑ Peters, Chris. "Matthew Nieto". USA Hockey Magazine. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
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