Matt Niskanen Bio: Family, Career, Net Worth & Wife

Matt Niskanen (pronounced as MAT NIHS-Kah-nehn) is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman.

He is one of the most consistent defenders in the NHL’s entirety who has played for teams like the Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, and Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL).

In the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, with 28th overall, he was drafted by the Stars in the first round.

Moreover, he is the Capitals’ most dependable defenseman in all situations. In the 2018 season, he won the Stanley Award as a member of the Capitals.

The general get-to-go- facts about Matt Niskanen are listed below.

Quick Facts

Matt Niskanen | Physical Attributes

Matt Niskanen is a medium-height man standing at 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) and weighing 204 lb (93 kg).

His slim body has an athletic possession along with his oval-cut face. He has light brownish hair and eyes alongside his beard’s thin layer as per his pale skin.

Matt Niskanen | Early Life & Education

Matt Niskanen (fully named Matthew Norman Niskanen) was born on December 6, 1986, under Sagittarius’s star sign.

He grew up in Virginia, Minnesota, U.S, with his father (Chuck Niskanen) and mother (Linda Niskanen).

Matt’s ancestry is in Finland, as his grandparents are all finished. However, Niskanen doesn’t speak Finnish himself.

Besides, Niskanen found his love for sports at an early age as he started to play on his school team.

For higher Studies, Niskanen enrolled at the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD). He played football and baseball through the 12th grade; however, after high school graduation, he committed himself to ice hockey.

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Matt Niskanen | Career

Niskanen commenced his career in 2005 as the Dallas Star selected him 28th overall on the first NHL entry draft.

Amateur

At first, Niskanen played for the Virginia/Mountain Iron-Buhl boys’ hockey team and added to it; he helped Blue Devils to make an appearance in high school history in their first state high school tournament.

During his newbie season 2005-2006, he played for the Bulldogs men’s ice hockey team recording 14 points in 38 games.

Secondly, as a second-year student for the season 2006-07, Niskanen scored 9 goals and 22 assists in 39 games.

Right after it, he was titled as the 2006–07 All-WCHA First Team and the All-WCHA Academic Team.

Later, on March 19, 2007, for his remaining season of 2006-07, he signed an amateur tryout contract with the Iowa Stars (later changed to Iowa Chops).

Back then, Iowa Stars was affiliated with the Dallas Stars’ American Hockey League (AHL). However, after his sophomore year at UMD (University of Minnesota Duluth), he decided to start his professional career after his UMD Bulldogs season.

Hence, for the 2007-08 season, Matt signed a three-year NHL contract with the Dallas Stars and subsequently made the Stars’ 2007–08 NHL roster out of training camp.

Professional

Matt Niskanen made his professional step towards ice hockey in the 2007-08 season.

Dallas Stars

Matt began his NHL regular 2007-08 season in October 2007 with a match against the Colorado Avalanche.

Two nights later, he made his first NHL points record against the Boston Bruins with two assists.

In less than a month, on October 29, 2007, he made his first NHL goal against the San Jose Sharks.

Niskanen had an impressive rookie start with the Stars and was later invited to the Young Stars game during the 2008 NHL All-Star weekend as he was leading the team in plus/minus at midseason.

Pittsburgh Penguins

After spending years with the Stars, Matt was traded alongside his teammate James Neal to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for defenseman Alex Goligoski on February 21, 2011.

Afterward, on March 4, 2014, Matt gained his first multi-goal game at the Bridgestone Arena of the 2013-14 season. They had a 3–1 win over the Nashville Predators with a two-goal effort.

At the end of the season, he made his first career high with goals (10) and assists (36) for 46 points.

At the same time, Niskanen was approaching the end of the contract with the Penguins and being a free agent.

Washington Capitals

In the mid-season of 2014, Matt signed a seven-year contract as a free agent with the Washington Capitals on July 1, 2014, worth $40.25 million.

You can learn more about his contract and cap hits on CapFriendly.

Right after it, for the 2017-18 season, Matt played the top-four pairing minutes with the Capitals, and in a total of 68 games, he made 7 goals with 29 points.

Also, he made his contribution to claiming the first Stanley Cup for the Washington Capitals appearing in all the playoff games. He recorded nine points while logging over 25 minutes of ice time.

In addition, he played his 12th season in the NHL in the 2018–19 season; Matt played 80 regular-season games for the Capitals, recording 8 goals and 17 assists for 25 points. 

He gave two assists during the 7 playoff games; however, the Capitals were defeated in the Carolina Hurricanes’ first round.

Philadelphia Flyers

Niskanen was traded by the Capitals to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for defenceman Radko Gudas two years before the end of the contract on June 14, 2019.

For the 2019-20 season, Matt played 68 games alongside Ivan Provorov on the Flyer’s top pairing and stood second with 33 points. He gains one goal and one assist in 15 postseason games for Philadelphia.

After a season with the Flyers, Matt had a season remaining on his initial 7-year contract signed with the Capitals.

However, Niskanen shockingly announced his retirement from professional hockey on October 5, 2020.

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Matt Niskanen | Stats

Matt Niskanen | Trade

Matt Niskanen, the No. 15 prospect, is a defenseman with years of experience. He is soft-spoken in manner but not blunt as he speaks and stands during a hazy time for the team.

Though no one would love to trade him to the other team, however,  to clear space for other priorities, he was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers for defenseman Radko Gudas.

Niskanen was a player with a moral code; hence, knowing all the sports’ business side.

In the very trade situation, Niskanen stated, “Not totally shocked, but it caught me a little off guard,” he added with the reporters, “I knew once the NHL season was over, from now until the draft is typically when things happen. 

Not really shocked, a little surprised. I knew this is the time of year when these things can happen, and I knew what kind of situation Washington was in, so I knew there was a possibility.”

Matt Niskanen 2019 Injury

In November 2019, Philadelphia’s 6-1 blowout win over the Detroit Red Wings defender, Matt Niskanen, had a shot in his face.

Detroit defender Dennis Cholowski shot the puck from the blueline during the game, which went higher than an expected shot.

The puck went straight to the human form defiance, and Matt stayed in the game as his blood leaked.

Later, Niskanen stuffed the absorbent product into his nose and 15 fresh stitches. Then, as he retired to the match with the cage mask, he truly gave an answer to Detroit for their rush goal.

Upon asking about his injury, Matt had a lowkey reply of it, saying, “It’s not as bad as it looks.”

Matt Niskanen | Net worth And Salary

The right handed baseball shooter is estimated net worth of $ 18 million with the salary of $ 5.7 million per year.

Besides that, his career earnings amount to $43,254,268.

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Matt Niskanen | Personal Life, Wife, And Kids

Matt Niskanen has a peaceful life with his family and wife.

Childhood Memo by Linda Niskanen

In February 2014, Pittsburgh Penguins had a sweet moment with their players’ mothers, sharing a childhood memo.

Matt Niskanen’s mother, Linda Niskanen, shared how Matt had a love for sports during childhood.

Back in the day, Matt was an admirer of Mario Lemieux and had bought a book of him to ask for his autographed picture. In his fourth class, he wrote to Mario, sending him a puck, and he received a photo.

Mrs. Kiskanen added she used to play goalie with the 8-year-old matt with makeshift covers for legs and a helmet. Matt liked being busy with football, baseball, or hockey, and he grew up shooting the puck in the outside rink.

Love Life

Matt Niskanen married Katie Niskanen in July 2014. With all the good years of his life, the duo is blessed with a baby boy, Charlie, on October 2, 2015.

Niskanen shares a good amount of time with his family when he is off the game and not to mention a caring father and husband.

Matt Niskanen | Social Media

The retired professional ice hockey player is not currently involved with social media accounts. However, details of him can be posted here on his Instagram account(@mattniskanen).

Matt Niskanen | FAQs

What is Matt Niskanen’s plan after retirement?

Matt Niskanen would have his own free time being a stay-at-home dad and having time with his family. Furthermore, he might be coaching youth hockey in Virginia Minn.

Who does Matt Niskanen look like an idol?

Matt Niskanen always had Mario Lemieux as an idol. Also, he liked and followed Nicklas Lidstrom as he was an all-around defenseman.

What does Matt Niskanen like about in NHL?

Matt Niskanen likes the resources NHL provides, i.e., equipment, trainers, accommodations, and travel.