Matt Duchene

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Matt Duchene
Matt Duchene.jpg
Born (1991-01-16) January 16, 1991 (age 23)
Haliburton, ON, CAN
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 200 lb (91 kg; 14 st 4 lb)
Position Centre/Winger
Shoots Left
NHL team Colorado Avalanche
National team  Canada
NHL Draft 3rd overall, 2009
Colorado Avalanche
Playing career 2009–present

Matthew Duchene (pronounced: [dyˈʃɛn]; born January 16, 1991) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre in the National Hockey League for the Colorado Avalanche. He was selected third overall by Colorado in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Playing career[edit]

Minor[edit]

Duchene grew up playing minor hockey for the OMHA's Central Ontario Wolves (Lindsay, Ontario) of the Eastern AAA League. He also spent his early hockey years playing for his hometown Haliburton Huskies before moving up to the AAA level. In 2006 Duchene verbally stated he was interested in the USA College route and verbally committed to the NCAA. After the 2006-07 season with the Wolves, Duchene was selected in the 1st round of the 2007 OHL Priority Selection by the Brampton Battalion.

Junior[edit]

Duchene played junior in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in 2007–08, and recorded 30 goals and 50 points in his rookie campaign. The following season, he improved to 79 points in 57 games, then added 26 points in the post-season, helping the Battalion to the J. Ross Robertson Cup Finals, where they were defeated by eventual Memorial Cup champions, the Windsor Spitfires.

Going into the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Duchene was ranked second overall among North American skaters by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau, behind just John Tavares.[1] Swedish defenceman Victor Hedman was also considered a strong candidate with Tavares for the first overall selection. However, Duchene's well-rounded, two-way game garnered him attention for the top pick, as well.[2] After Tavares and Hedman were picked first and second, Duchene was selected third overall by the Colorado Avalanche. Growing up as an Avalanche fan,[3] Duchene quickly became a fan favourite after video footage showed him pumping his fist after Hedman was selected second overall to the Tampa Bay Lightning, sealing his fate as an Avalanche draftee.[4] Having played alongside Vancouver Canucks prospect Cody Hodgson, who had been selected tenth overall the previous year, in Brampton, Duchene sought draft advice from him over the course of the season.[2] Duchene has drawn comparisons to such retired NHLers as Steve Yzerman and Joe Sakic, as well as current star Mike Richards.[5]

Professional[edit]

Duchene notched his first career NHL point in his Avalanche debut on October 1, 2009, against the San Jose Sharks with an assist on a powerplay goal by defenceman John-Michael Liles.[6] His first goal came later that month on October 17 against Chris Osgood in a 4–3 shootout win against the Detroit Red Wings.[7] It was announced the next day that Duchene would spend the entire season with the Avalanche.[8]

On November 30, 2009, he compiled his first two-goal NHL game in a 3–0 shutout victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning.[9] The next game, against the Florida Panthers on December 2, 2009, Duchene tallied his second two-goal game and first three-point game of his career,[10] scoring twice against Florida's Scott Clemmensen and assisting on a goal by Chris Stewart in a 6–5 shootout loss.[11] It marked the first time that an 18-year-old recorded back-to-back two-goal games in the NHL since Radek Dvorak did it with Florida in November 1995.[10] Duchene was subsequently selected as the NHL rookie of the month for December 2009, scoring five goals and eight assists for 13 points in 14 games.[10]

On April 6, 2010, the Avalanche had the opportunity to clinch a playoff berth with a victory against the Vancouver Canucks. Tied 3–3 after overtime, Duchene scored the game winning shootout goal against Roberto Luongo to send the Avalanche into the playoffs for the first time since 2008.[12] Duchene finished his rookie NHL season third on the Avalanche in scoring with 55 points, and second in goals with 24.[13] Among NHL rookies, he finished first in points, ahead of John Tavares by one, and tied with Tavares for first in goals.[14] Duchene added three assists in six playoff games as the Avalanche were eliminated by the San Jose Sharks in the opening round. After completion of the season, he was selected to the NHL All-Rookie Team and placed third in Calder Trophy voting.[15]

Duchene with the Avalanche in 2011.

The following season, Duchene recorded his first five minute major for fighting, against opponent Vladimír Sobotka of the St. Louis Blues on November 15, 2010. Several months later, he was chosen to participate in his first NHL All-Star Game. During the contest, he became the first player in the NHL All-Star Game history to be awarded a penalty shot when Washington Capitals forward Alexander Ovechkin tossed his stick toward Duchene on a breakaway. Duchene's attempt was turned away by Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers.[16] Soon thereafeer, Duchene recorded his 100th career NHL point on January 26, 2011, with a goal against Phoenix Coyotes goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov in a 5-2 loss. The goal made him the youngest player in franchise history (including the Quebec Nordiques era) to record the milestone, beating Duchene's boyhood idol, Joe Sakic.[citation needed] Duchene finished the season with 67 points and became the youngest player in Avalanche history to lead the team in scoring.

On November 4, 2011, Matt Duchene tallied his first career hat trick in a 7-6 overtime loss to the Dallas Stars. This game also marked Matt Duchene's first career four-point game. Having missed only 3 games in his previous 2 seasons combined, his third season in the NHL would see only 58 games, tried by left-knee, and later right-ankle injuries. After the 2011–12 season, Duchene confirmed to The Denver Post that after his ankle injury, he played the remaining games of the season hurt, in a desperate bid for the playoffs that ended for the Avs after game 81.[17] He finished his season scoring 28 points with 14 goals.

On June 23, 2012, Matt as a restricted free agent, agreed to a two-year deal with the Avalanche worth $7 million.[18] With the 2012–13 NHL lockout in effect, Duchene signed an initial two month contract with Frölunda HC of the Swedish Hockey League on October 2, 2012.[19] He made his début on October 14 in a 4–3 win against Modo Hockey, where he contributed with two assists.[20] Nearing the completion of his contract with the Indians it was announced Duchene would not be extended and in his final game with Frölunda he scored the game-winning goal in a 3-1 victory over Linköpings HC. He was given a standing ovation after the game and finished with 4 goals and 14 points in 19 games.[21] The following day on December 9, 2012, Duchene continued to remain in Europe to sign an one-month contract, with the option for the remainder of the Lockout, with Swiss team HC Ambrì-Piotta of the National League A.[22] He appeared in 4 games producing 5 points over the next month with Ambrì, which was limited by a Spengler Cup selection. After a tentative agreement to end the NHL lockout was reached, Duchene was farewelled by Ambrì fans on January 7, 2013.[23]

Duchene and the Avalanche agreed to a five-year, $30 million contract extension on July 18, 2013. [24]

International play[edit]

Medal record
Competitor for  Canada
Winter Olympics
Gold 2014 Sochi
Spengler Cup
Gold 2012 Davos
Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament
Gold 2008 Slovakia
IIHF World U18 Championships
Gold 2008 Russia
Competitor for  Ontario
World U-17 Hockey Challenge
Gold 2008 Canada

Duchene made his international debut at the 2008 World U-17 Hockey Challenge. He scored 10 points in 6 games to help Team Ontario to a gold medal. The same year, he was named to Team Canada's under-18 team for the 2008 IIHF World U18 Championships in April and selected as Captain at the 2008 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament in August and won two more gold medals at those tournaments.[25][26] Playing in his second major junior season, Duchene took part in Team Canada's junior camp for the 2009 World Junior Championships, but was cut.[2]

Following his rookie season in the NHL, Duchene was played for Team Canada's roster for the 2010 IIHF World Championship in Germany.[27] He made his full international debut, and recorded a goal and assist, in a 5-1 preliminary round win against Italy on May 8, 2010.[28] Duchene finished the tournament with 4 goals for 7 points in 7 games after Canada was eliminated in the quarterfinal by Russia.[29]

Duchene was added to Team Canada's World Championship team in 2011 for a second consecutive season, following the Avalanche's failure to make the playoffs.[30] He was unable to repeat his point scoring performance from the previous year, going scoreless in 7 games as Canada finished in 5th place.[31]

After signing a NHL lockout contract in Switzerland with HC Ambrì-Piotta in 2012, Duchene was added to Team Canada for the annual Spengler Cup. In four games Duchene scored 5 points, and was selected as the center to the All-Star Team in helping Canada win the Cup for the first time since 2007.[32]

On January 7, 2014, he was named to the 2014 Canadian Olympic Hockey Team. Duchene was used as Canada's extra forward or as a healthy scratch in Canada's round robin stage. After a tournament ending knee injury to John Tavares suffered in the Quaterfinals, Duchene was inserted as the fourth line center for the semi-final and the Gold clinching medal game against Sweden on February 23, 2014.[33]

Career statistics[edit]

Regular season and playoffs[edit]

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2006–07 Central Ontario Wolves OMHA 52 69 37 106 36 — — — — —
2007–08 Brampton Battalion OHL 64 30 20 50 22 5 1 1 2 10
2008–09 Brampton Battalion OHL 57 31 48 79 42 21 14 12 26 21
2009–10 Colorado Avalanche NHL 81 24 31 55 16 6 0 3 3 0
2010–11 Colorado Avalanche NHL 80 27 40 67 33 — — — — —
2011–12 Colorado Avalanche NHL 58 14 14 28 8 — — — — —
2012–13 Frölunda HC SHL 19 4 10 14 12 — — — — —
2012–13 HC Ambrì-Piotta NLA 4 2 3 5 2 — — — — —
2012–13 Colorado Avalanche NHL 47 17 26 43 12 — — — — —
NHL totals 266 82 111 193 69 6 0 3 3 0

International[edit]

Year Team Event GP G A Pts PIM
2008 Canada U17 6 4 6 10 8
2008 Canada WJC18 7 5 3 8 6
2008 Canada IH18 4 1 3 4 4
2010 Canada WC 7 4 3 7 0
2011 Canada WC 7 0 0 0 2
2013 Canada WC 8 4 1 5 0
2014 Canada OG 4 0 0 0 0
Junior int'l totals 17 10 12 22 18
Senior int'l totals 26 8 4 12 2

Awards and honours[edit]

Award Year
OHL
Bobby Smith Trophy 2009 [34]
NHL
All-Rookie Team 2010 [35]
NHL All-Star Game 2011
International
Spengler Cup All-Star Team 2012 [32]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Tavares, Hedman top final draft lists". National Hockey League. Retrieved 2009-08-10. 
  2. ^ a b c Pope, Chris (June 24, 2009). "Matt Duchene: Flirting with first". The Good Point. 
  3. ^ Dater, Adrian (June 23, 2009). "Duchene expected for Avs' No. 3 pick". Denver Post. 
  4. ^ "Meet The Rookies: Matt Duchene". Mile High Hockey. September 8, 2009. 
  5. ^ Logan, Greg (May 16, 2009). "Which option will Islanders' choose for NHL draft". Newsday. 
  6. ^ "Battalion connection". Brampton Guardian. 2009-10-02. Retrieved 2009-10-18. 
  7. ^ Dater, Adrian (2009-10-17). "Avs rookie Matt Duchene scores career first goal to help beat Detroit". Denver Post. Retrieved 2009-10-18. 
  8. ^ "Avalanche's Duchene is up to stay". Chicago Tribune. 2009-10-20. Retrieved 2010-04-17. 
  9. ^ "Avalanche rookie Duchene, goalie Anderson lead 3-0 win vs. Lightning". Denver Post. 2009-12-01. Retrieved 2010-04-17. 
  10. ^ a b c "Avalanche's Duchene named NHL Rookie of the Month". National Hockey League. 2010-01-05. Retrieved 2010-04-17. 
  11. ^ "Panthers end skid with SO win over Avs". National Hockey League. 2009-12-03. Retrieved 2010-04-17. 
  12. ^ "Avalanche use shootout win over Canucks to clinch playoff spot". The Sports Network. 2010-04-06. Retrieved 2010-04-17. 
  13. ^ "Player Stats - 2009-2010 - Regular Season - All Skaters - Summary - Total Points". National Hockey League. Retrieved 2010-04-17. 
  14. ^ "Player Stats - 2009-2010 - Regular season - Rookie - All Skaters - Summary - Total Points". National Hockey League. Retrieved 2010-04-17. 
  15. ^ Dater, Adrian (2010-06-24). "Avalanche's Duchene third in Rookie of the Year voting". Denver Post. Retrieved 2010-06-28. 
  16. ^ "Lundqvist turns away first ASG penalty shot - 2011 NHL All-Star Game". National Hockey League. Retrieved 2011-01-30. 
  17. ^ "Avalanche's Matt Duchene learning to live, play with injuries". The Denver Post. Retrieved 2012-04-03. 
  18. ^ "Avalanche agree to 2-year deal with Duchene". NHL. 2012-07-10. Retrieved 2012-07-10. 
  19. ^ "Canadian center Matt Duchene to Frölunda" (in Swedish). Frölunda HC. 2012-10-02. Retrieved 2012-10-02. 
  20. ^ Wahlberg, Malin; Nygren, Martin (2012-10-14). "NHL-stjärnorna gjorde succé". Aftonbladet (in Swedish). Retrieved 2012-10-15. 
  21. ^ "Matt Duchene gets rousing send off from Frolunda fans in final game". Yahoo! Sports. 2012-12-08. Retrieved 2012-12-08. 
  22. ^ "NHL center Matt Duchene of the Colorado Avalanche to Ambri" (in Italian). HC Ambrì-Piotta. 2012-12-09. Retrieved 2012-12-09. 
  23. ^ "The greeting of Matt Duchene and Cory Schnieder" (in Italian). HC Ambrì-Piotta. 2013-01-07. Retrieved 2013-01-07. 
  24. ^ "AVALANCHE SIGN F DUCHENE TO FIVE-YEAR, $30 MILLION EXTENSION" (in English). TSN. 2013-07-18. Retrieved 2013-07-18. 
  25. ^ "Canadiens set to take the ice at memorial of Ivan Hlinka". Hockey Canada. 2008-08-11. Retrieved 2010-06-20. 
  26. ^ "Duchene lifts Canada past Switzerland at U18 tournament". TSN. 2008-08-12. Retrieved 2010-07-07. 
  27. ^ "Avs' Duchene added to Team Canada's roster for Worlds". The Sports Network. 2010-04-26. Retrieved 2010-04-26. 
  28. ^ "Canada cruises to 5-1 win". IIHF. 2010-05-08. Retrieved 2010-05-20. 
  29. ^ "Russia on a roll". IIHF. 2010-05-20. Retrieved 2010-05-20. 
  30. ^ "Avs' Duchene added to Team Canada's roster for Worlds". The Sports Network. 2011-04-26. Retrieved 2011-06-26. 
  31. ^ "Canada Statistics". International Ice Hockey Federation. 2011-05-26. Retrieved 2011-06-28. 
  32. ^ a b "Duchene coloured Spengler gold". Haliburton Echo. 2013-01-07. Retrieved 2013-01-07. 
  33. ^ "Canada defeats Sweden to defend Gold in men's ice hockey". The Sports Network. 2014-02-23. Retrieved 2014-02-23. 
  34. ^ "Duchene wins Bobby Smith Trophy". Brampton Battalion. 2009-04-16. Retrieved 2012-09-12. 
  35. ^ "Duchene signs two-year deal". ESPN. 2012-06-23. Retrieved 2012-06-23. 

External links[edit]

Preceded by
Kevin Shattenkirk		 Colorado Avalanche first round draft pick
2009		 Succeeded by
Joey Hishon
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Matt_Duchene&oldid=596859335"