Hockey Prospects, NHL Draft, Hockey Scouting,OHL Draft

His father made one of the greatest plays in New York Rangers’ franchise history, but Stefan Matteau, 17, isn’t concerned with the expectations that come with his bloodline.

“Obviously my dad has a pretty big name and I don’t really get talked to without him being mentioned,” Matteau said. “But I’m not really worried about being in his shadow or being compared to him because he’s not going to get me where I want to be. I make my path and whatever happens, happens. He’s a big part of it, but I’m my own person and he’s his own person.”

The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Matteau is a prototypical power forward with the U.S. National Team Development Program, playing alongside many of the top prospects the country has to offer. But it’s Matteau that leads the NTDP in points with 23 (10 goals, 13 assists) and penalty minutes (110) in 30 games.

Matteau’s strong season has forced the NHL’s Central Scouting Service to take notice as he was ranked 13th among North American skaters, sixth among forwards, in the midterm rankings released last week.

“I saw that and it was a good feeling,” Matteau said. “But those lists and stuff, I’m not trying to worry about that. Nothing is certain until draft day, so I’m just trying to focus on the present and getting better every day.”

Matteau was slated to attend the University of North Dakota next season, but when the hometown Blainville-Boisbriand Armada of the QMJHL traded for his rights on January 7th, Matteau’s path changed.

“It became an option a few weeks ago when I was traded, but when I committed to North Dakota there wasn’t a ‘Q’ team in my hometown,” Matteau said. “But I think I can be an impact player on the team, get a lot of ice-time, my dad is the assistant coach, I’ll be living at home, I’ll be in my comfort zone and I’m really looking forward to playing a pro schedule with more games.”

There are clearly many sensible reasons for Matteau to join the Armada, but it doesn’t hurt that his father, Stephane, a 16-year NHL veteran, is an assistant coach with the club.

“Him being an assistant coach wasn’t really the reason why I wanted to [join the Armada],” Matteau said. “It’s a plus obviously, but my main reason was because they have a great organization. They moved from Montreal and the trainers, everyone, I’m already comfortable with because that’s where I trained in the summer. They have three NHLers on the coaching staff so that’s obviously huge development-wise.

“When I was growing up he wasn’t really around much. He was always on the road so my mom took care of me. But when he retired he was there, he was around the rink, seeing every game and the little details that NHLers do. He could bring that to the table and that really helped.”

Matteau admits that he grew used to dominating offensively as a young teenager but credits the development program for making him a more physical, well-rounded player and hopes that the different style of play of the “Q” continues to help him blossom.

“I think the development team really got me stronger and bigger,” Matteau said. “We play in a pretty fast league, especially this year playing D-I games. The ‘Q’ is more of a skilled league and I think I can use my speed to my advantage. With everything I learned here I’m stronger and I’m hoping I can just take that over and dominate. I’m hoping to dominate next year.”

Matteau prides himself on playing a strong two-way game in addition to being a bull in front of the net and he tries to model his game after Vincent Lecavalier as well as Jordan and Eric Staal.

“I’m a big bodied power forward with some skill and I can put the puck in the net, but I kind of play an all-around game,” Matteau said.

Like many big men, Matteau knows that his skating is a concern, but he has been working on his acceleration constantly and is determined to keep improving.

“[I need to work on] my first five strides, my explosion to the puck because I’m heavy,” Matteau said. “That’s kind of harder for big guys, but I’ve been trying to work on my first five and exploding to the puck.”

Matteau’s father was a second-round pick and never recorded more than 36 points in a season, but if Stefan’s development continues on its current arc then he could become a first-round selection come June and one day be the more recognizable Matteau.

“Obviously it’s in everyone’s mind,” Matteau said. “It’s the draft, it’s our childhood dream. But I’m not going to stress over it. I’m going to work on what I need to work on right now and I’ll worry about it in June.”