Canadiens acquire left-winger Stefan Matteau
Montreal Canadiens Media Release
MONTREAL (February 29, 2016) – Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin announced today the acquisition of forward Stefan Matteau from the New Jersey Devils, in return for forward Devante Smith-Pelly.
Matteau, 22, appeared in 20 games with the Devils, registering 1 goal, 13 penalty minutes and 39 hits, while playing an average of 10:04 per game. The 6’2’’ and 220 lbs forward added four penalty minutes in one game with the AHL’s Albany Devils.
In 44 career games in the NHL, Matteau has collected five points (3 goals, 2 assists) and 23 penalty minutes. He contributed 53 points (25 goals, 28 assists) and 110 penalty minutes in 129 career games in the AHL.
On the international stage, Matteau suited up for Team USA at the World Junior Championship in 2014, collecting four points (3 goals, 1 assist) and 10 penalty minutes in five games.
A native of Chicago, Illinois, Matteau was the Devils’ first round pick, 29th overall, of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. A product of the QMJHL’s Blainville-Boisbriand Armada and USHL’s U.S. National Development Team, he produced 47 points (28 goals, 19 assists) in 81 games at the junior level.
Devante Smith-Pelly, 23, registered 12 points (6 goals, 6 assists) and 22 penalty minutes in 46 games with the Canadiens thus far this season. The Scarborough, Ontario native was acquired by the Canadiens from the Anaheim Ducks in return for Jiri Sekac on February 24, 2015.
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