Matthew Watkins (born November 22, 1986) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played a single game with the Phoenix Coyotes in the National Hockey League (NHL). He currently plays in the senior men's hockey in the WSHL with the Craik Warriors. He was selected by the Dallas Stars in the 5th round (160th overall) of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. Watkins was born in Aylesbury, Saskatchewan, but grew up in Regina, Saskatchewan.

Matt Watkins
Watkins with the Hershey Bears in 2013
Born (1986-11-22) November 22, 1986 (age 38)
Aylesbury, Saskatchewan, Canada
Height 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Position Right Wing
Shot Left
Played for Phoenix Coyotes
Vienna Capitals
KooKoo
NHL draft 160th overall, 2005
Dallas Stars
Playing career 2009–2016

Playing career

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Watkins signed a one-year contract with the Phoenix Coyotes on July 6, 2011.[1] He was assigned for the majority of the 2011–12 season to AHL affiliate, the Portland Pirates.

Watkins left the Coyotes as a free agent to sign a one-year contract with the New York Islanders on July 1, 2012.[2] He spent the duration of the 2012–13 season with the Islanders AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, posting 30 points in 68 games.

On July 8, 2013, he signed a one-year, two way contract as a free agent with the Washington Capitals.[3] For the duration of his contract with the Capitals, Watkins was assigned to AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears posting 27 points in 73 games of the 2013–14 season.

On July 27, 2014, Watkins signed his first European contract in agreeing to a one-year deal with Austrian club, the Vienna Capitals of the EBEL.[4] As an alternate captain in the 2014–15 season with the Capitals, Watkins contributed offensively with 12 goals and 32 points in 54 games.

On June 18, 2015, Watkin left after one season with the Capitals, to sign a one-year contract with newly promoted Finnish club, KooKoo of the Liiga.[5]

Career statistics

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    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2002–03 Tisdale Trojans AAA SMHL 40 25 26 51 26
2002–03 Humboldt Broncos SJHL 2 0 1 1 0
2003–04 Tisdale Trojans AAA SMHL 44 34 37 71 52
2004–05 Vernon Vipers BCHL 60 36 38 74 53 14 4 6 10 6
2005–06 University of North Dakota WCHA 46 5 4 9 45
2006–07 University of North Dakota WCHA 38 6 11 17 31
2007–08 University of North Dakota WCHA 43 8 10 18 34
2008–09 University of North Dakota WCHA 41 7 7 14 40
2009–10 Las Vegas Wranglers ECHL 14 4 7 11 12
2009–10 San Antonio Rampage AHL 51 12 10 22 17
2010–11 San Antonio Rampage AHL 64 15 20 35 45
2011–12 Portland Pirates AHL 70 11 25 36 48
2011–12 Phoenix Coyotes NHL 1 0 0 0 0
2012–13 Bridgeport Sound Tigers AHL 68 11 19 30 43
2013–14 Hershey Bears AHL 73 10 17 27 37
2014–15 Vienna Capitals AUT 54 12 20 32 50 15 5 6 11 12
2015–16 KooKoo Liiga 58 2 10 12 57
2016–17 Craik Warriors WSHL 18 16 28 44 24 11 7 17 24 20
2017–18 Craik Warriors WSHL 19 23 29 52 18
2018–19 Craik Warriors WSHL 8 8 15 23 15 7 8 10 18 4
2019–20 Craik Warriors WSHL 4 5 9 14 17 4 3 6 9 2
2020–21 Craik Warriors WSHL 1 0 3 3 0
2021–22 Craik Warriors WSHL 7 11 15 26 19 4 4 7 11 0
AHL totals 326 59 91 150 190
NHL totals 1 0 0 0 0

References

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  1. ^ "Coyotes add Oystrick, Arsene, Watkins on one-year contracts". The Sports Network. Retrieved July 7, 2011.
  2. ^ "Watkins agrees to terms with Isles". Bridgeport Sound Tigers. July 1, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  3. ^ "Caps sign Strachan, Leggio and Watkins to one-year deal". The Sports Network. July 8, 2013. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
  4. ^ "Matt Watkins is the new Caps centre" (in German). Vienna Capitals. July 27, 2014. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
  5. ^ "Matt Watkins to strengthen KooKoo attack" (in Finnish). KooKoo. June 18, 2015. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
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