Mike Matteucci
Encyclopedia
Michael Matteucci is a retired former professional ice hockey
defenceman
.
Matteucci played four seasons of collegiate hockey
at Lake Superior State University
from 1992–93 to 1995–96, and was a member of the Lakers' championship team in 1994.
Undrafted after college, Matteucci played for the Long Beach Ice Dogs of the International Hockey League from 1996 to 2000. With the Ice Dogs, he became a fan favorite as an enforcer
. In his four-plus seasons with the Ice Dogs, Matteucci racked up more than 900 penalty minutes
.
Following his time with the Ice Dogs, Matteucci signed with the Minnesota Wild
. He played 6 NHL
games for the Wild in the 2000–01 and 2001–02 seasons. He spent most of the 2000–01 season with the IHL Cleveland Lumberjacks
, and most of 2001–02 with the AHL
Houston Aeros
, where he served as team captain
.
Matteucci signed a free agent
contract with the New Jersey Devils
in 2002, and spent the next two seasons as captain of the Albany River Rats
, New Jersey's AHL affiliate. He then moved on to the Milwaukee Admirals
.
Matteucci announced his retirement from the Admirals on December 4, 2004.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
defenceman
Defenceman (ice hockey)
Defence in ice hockey is a player position whose primary responsibility is to prevent the opposing team from scoring...
.
Matteucci played four seasons of collegiate hockey
College hockey
College hockey refers to ice hockey played between colleges with their teams composed of enrolled students. College hockey is played in Canada and the United States, though leagues outside of North America exist....
at Lake Superior State University
Lake Superior State University
Lake Superior State University is a small public university in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. It is Michigan's smallest public university with an enrollment around 3,000 students. Due to its proximity to the border, notably the twin city of Sault Ste...
from 1992–93 to 1995–96, and was a member of the Lakers' championship team in 1994.
Undrafted after college, Matteucci played for the Long Beach Ice Dogs of the International Hockey League from 1996 to 2000. With the Ice Dogs, he became a fan favorite as an enforcer
Enforcer (hockey)
Enforcer is an unofficial role in ice hockey. The term is sometimes used synonymously with "fighter", "tough guy", or "goon". NHL players regarded as enforcers include Tiger Williams, Tony Twist, Bob Probert, Dave Semenko, Dave Schultz, Tie Domi, Dave Brown, Joey Kocur, Clark Gillies, Stu Grimson,...
. In his four-plus seasons with the Ice Dogs, Matteucci racked up more than 900 penalty minutes
Penalty (ice hockey)
A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,...
.
Following his time with the Ice Dogs, Matteucci signed with the Minnesota Wild
Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
. He played 6 NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
games for the Wild in the 2000–01 and 2001–02 seasons. He spent most of the 2000–01 season with the IHL Cleveland Lumberjacks
Cleveland Lumberjacks
The Cleveland Lumberjacks were an International Hockey League team based in Cleveland, Ohio.-Facts:The Cleveland Lumberjacks were an International Hockey League team based in Cleveland, Ohio.-Facts:...
, and most of 2001–02 with the AHL
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
Houston Aeros
Houston Aeros
The Houston Aeros are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. The team plays in Houston, Texas, at the Toyota Center. They are the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Minnesota Wild.- History :...
, where he served as team captain
Captain (ice hockey)
In ice hockey, each team can designate an official captain for each game. The player serving as captain during the game wears a "C" on his or her jersey...
.
Matteucci signed a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
contract with the New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in 2002, and spent the next two seasons as captain of the Albany River Rats
Albany River Rats
The Albany River Rats were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Albany, New York at the Times Union Center.- Founding to 2010 :...
, New Jersey's AHL affiliate. He then moved on to the Milwaukee Admirals
Milwaukee Admirals
The Milwaukee Admirals are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA at the Bradley Center.-History:...
.
Matteucci announced his retirement from the Admirals on December 4, 2004.