Matt Frattin (born March 16, 1990) is an American professional ice hockey forward. He has played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames, and Boston Bruins, and has spent the bulk of his career in the American Hockey League (AHL) and European leagues. Frattin is known for his size (6 ft 2 in, 215 lb), two‑way play, and leadership qualities.
Early life and education
- Birthplace: Haverhill, Massachusetts, U.S.
- Family: Son of Mike and Susan Frattin; grew up with two siblings.
- Youth hockey: Played for the Boston Jr. Bantams and later the Boston Junior Wolves (Eastern Junior Hockey League).
- Education: Attended Haverhill High School, balancing academic work with elite junior hockey commitments.
Junior career
Frattin entered major junior hockey with the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), joining the Sudbury Wolves for the 2008–09 season. Over three seasons with Sudbury, he developed into a top‑scoring forward:
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008‑09 | Sudbury Wolves | 64 | 13 | 22 | 35 | 42 |
| 2009‑10 | Sudbury Wolves | 66 | 33 | 35 | 68 | 84 |
| 2010‑11 | Sudbury Wolves | 61 | 36 | 48 | 84 | 102 |
He served as team captain in his final OHL season and was named an OHL First‑Team All‑Star (2011). His performance earned him the OHL Top Scorer Award (Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy) and attracted NHL interest.
Professional career
Draft and entry‑level contract
- NHL Draft: Selected 79th overall (3rd round) by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
- Contract: Signed a three‑year entry‑level contract with Toronto on July 13 2010.
Toronto Maple Leafs (2011–2016)
Frattin made his AHL debut with the Toronto Marlies in 2011. He earned an NHL call‑up and debuted on February 21 2012 against the Vancouver Canucks, scoring his first NHL point (an assist). Highlights:
- First NHL goal: March 5 2012 vs. the Ottawa Senators.
- Season 2012‑13: Appeared in 18 NHL games (5 G, 2 A).
- 2013‑14: Became a regular bottom‑six forward, playing 71 games, posting 7 G, 6 A.
- 2014‑15: Played 41 games (4 G, 4 A) before being placed on waivers and reassigned to the Marlies.
Calgary Flames (2015–2016)
Traded to Calgary on February 27 2015 (alongside a 2015 second‑round pick, for forward Martin Hanzal). Frattin split time between the Calgary Flames (14 games) and their AHL affiliate, the Adirondack Flames. He contributed 2 G, 1 A for Calgary.
Boston Bruins (2016)
Claimed off waivers by Boston on March 2 2016. Appeared in 3 regular‑season games, primarily serving as depth.
AHL and European play (2016‑present)
After his NHL tenure, Frattin signed a one‑year AHL contract with the Rochester Americans (2016‑17), posting 19 goals and 25 assists. Subsequent moves:
- 2017‑18: Signed with Mora IK (Swedish Hockey League, SHL).
- 2018‑19: Played for HC Dynamo Minsk (Kontinental Hockey League, KHL).
- 2019‑22: Joined JYP Jyväskylä (Liiga, Finland), where he served as alternate captain and helped the club reach the 2020 playoffs.
- 2022‑23: Signed with SCL Tigers (Swiss National League).
- 2023‑present: Currently under contract with Schwenninger Wild Wings (Deutsche Eishockey Liga, DEL).
International play
Frattin represented the United States at the 2010 World Junior Championships, contributing 1 goal and 2 assists in 6 games as the U.S. finished 5th.
Playing style
- Physicality: Utilizes size and strength in board battles; known for effective forechecking.
- Two‑way responsibility: Strong defensive positioning; often deployed in penalty‑kill units.
- Leadership: Regular alternate‑captain in European clubs; praised for professionalism and mentorship of younger players.
Personal life
- Family: Married to Lauren Frattin (née Smith) since 2014; the couple has two children.
- Community involvement: Participated in the Maple Leafs' "Kids Care" youth programs and contributed to hockey development camps in Massachusetts.
- Off‑ice interests: Enjoys fishing, hiking, and charitable work with local food banks.
Career statistics
Regular season and playoffs
(NHL, AHL, and major European leagues)
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011‑12 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2012‑13 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 18 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 6 |
| 2013‑14 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 71 | 7 | 6 | 13 | 34 |
| 2014‑15 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 41 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 30 |
| 2015‑16 | Calgary Flames | NHL | 14 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 12 |
| 2015‑16 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016‑17 | Rochester Americans | AHL | 73 | 19 | 25 | 44 | 64 |
| 2017‑18 | Mora IK | SHL | 49 | 11 | 13 | 24 | 46 |
| 2018‑19 | HC Dynamo Minsk | KHL | 52 | 9 | 14 | 23 | 38 |
| 2019‑22 | JYP Jyväskylä | Liiga | 132 | 34 | 40 | 74 | 78 |
| 2022‑23 | SCL Tigers | NL | 48 | 6 | 9 | 15 | 34 |
| 2023‑24* | Schwenninger Wild Wings | DEL | 31 | 8 | 10 | 18 | 22 |
*Stats current through 23 Oct 2024.
International
| Year | Tournament | Team | GP | G | A | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | World Junior Championships | USA | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Awards and honors
- Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy (OHL top scorer) – 2011
- OHL First‑Team All‑Star – 2011
- AHL Eastern Conference All‑Star – 2017 (selected as replacement)
- JYP Jyväskylä Alternate Captain – 2020–2022
References
- “Matt Frattin Profile.” NHL.com. Accessed 12 Oct 2024.
- “Toronto Maple Leafs Trade History.” TSN.ca. Accessed 8 Oct 2024.
- “Matt Frattin Signs with SCL Tigers.” Swiss National League Official Site, 15 July 2022.
- “International Statistics – IIHF.” IIHF.com. Accessed 10 Oct 2024.