Brian Matte is California Bound

Feature Stories 2008-09

Brian Matte is California Bound by Andy Neal

Prince George Cougars alumni Brian Matte will be playing hockey in Ontario next year.  But instead of enduring another cold Canadian winter, Matte is headed for sunny California, signing a one year contract with the ECHL’s Ontario Reign, the ECHL affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings.

Matte, a Prince George product, had no idea where his hockey career would take him after the Cougars season came to an end.  Now he knows and Matte couldn’t be happier.  "I’m very relieved about getting this opportunity to play in Ontario."  Said Matte, who was a 20 year old rookie with the Cougars last season, "Hopefully I can use this year as a stepping stone to push myself to a higher level, like the AHL.  I’m still working hard at getting a try out with an AHL team, but I’m very excited about the opportunity to play in the ECHL."

Matte collected 17 goals and 30 points for the Cougars this past season in 48 games, using his speed and physical play to his advantage, two attributes that landed him a contract with the Reign.  But he also had help from Cougars Assistant Coach Brent Arsenault, who put in a good word for Matte with Reign Head Coach Karl Taylor.  Arsenault and Taylor have a history together, as both took part in the National Coaching Institute in Calgary in 1999 and 2000 and were apprentice coaches for the Canadian National Hockey team, under the guidance of current Edmonton Oilers Assistant Coach Tom Renney and current New York Rangers Assistant Coach Mike Pelino.  "After I spoke to Brian I got on the phone with Karl and told him what kind of player and person Brian is."  Said Arsenault, "Karl and I like the same kind of players and knowing what kind of a competitor Brian is on the ice, he should fit in real well with the Reign."

Agreeing to go to Ontario didn’t take much arm twisting on Matte.  "I was desperate for anything, so I jumped at this opportunity.  I could not see myself not playing hockey this season, so I’m glad I don’t have to worry about it now."

Matte is joining an Ontario Reign squad that enjoyed immediate success in the ECHL, finishing ahead of the pack in the Pacific division with a 38-29-4-2 record in its inaugural season, before falling to the Stockton Thunder in game 7 of their opening round series.

Of Matte’s 17 goals for the Cougars in 2008-09, six were scored on the power play and his two short handed goals tied Matte with teammate Brett Connolly for the WHL rookie lead in short handed tallies.