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MattyJ · 10-16-2024, 02:40 PM

MattyJ: A New Journey
By: Hockey Guys Incorporated

MattyJ’s transition to the SHL with the Edmonton Blizzard has been exciting but challenging, and there are signs that he's starting to find his footing. After an impressive stint in the SMJHL, where he helped lead the Vancouver Whalers to a championship, stepping up to the SHL was always going to be a big leap. The SHL is faster, the players are more skilled, and the competition is more intense, but through his first 7 games, MattyJ has shown that he can hang with the pros.

He’s been playing on a line with Matviy Cajabi and Benjamin Surkhi-Ze'ev (BSV), who has been the veteran leader on that line. BSV brings a wealth of experience, having already established himself as a key player for the Blizzard, while MattyJ and Matviy are still fresh faces in the league. The trio has been working hard to build chemistry, which can be difficult, especially with two rookies on the line. But over the course of these first few games, it’s been clear that they are starting to find some cohesion, and it’s only a matter of time before their hard work starts paying off in a big way. The second powerplay unit is a great opportunity for them to gel even further while putting their offensive skills to use. While they haven’t broken out with huge powerplay numbers yet, having that extra time together on the man advantage is helping them learn each other's tendencies and improve their chemistry. Special teams can often make or break a game, so finding a rhythm on the powerplay is something they’re undoubtedly focused on improving as the season progresses. MattyJ’s scoring abilities, along with BSV’s leadership and Matviy’s passing abilities and hustle, they have all the makings of a dangerous unit once they fully click.

This added responsibility on the powerplay shows that MattyJ and his linemates aren’t just seen as rookies but as potential game-changers, capable of influencing a match through special teams. As they continue to develop that chemistry, it’s only a matter of time before the second unit starts contributing more consistently and potentially becomes a key weapon for the Blizzard.

MattyJ has already contributed offensively, with 1 goal and 3 assists, for a total of 4 points. All of these have come at even strength, which is important because it means he’s able to make an impact during 5 on 5. Getting points at even strength shows that he’s not just relying on special teams for production, which bodes well for his ability to perform consistently. His goal came after several attempts, showing that persistence is a big part of his game. However, his current +/- rating of -1 indicates there’s still some adjustment needed on the defensive side of things. This isn’t unexpected for a rookie forward making the jump to a league where every mistake can quickly lead to a scoring chance for the opposition. MattyJ will likely improve this area as he continues to adapt to the faster pace of the SHL and builds stronger defensive habits.

One of the positive signs in his game has been his discipline. With only 4 penalty minutes in his first 7 games, MattyJ has shown that he can stay out of the box and avoid costly penalties. A issue he found himself making too many times in his junior seasons. This is crucial for maintaining ice time and not putting his team in tough shorthanded situations. Being able to play smart and disciplined hockey while also contributing offensively is a key aspect of what the Blizzard coaching staff will be looking for as MattyJ develops.

Offensively, MattyJ has been active, firing 16 shots on goal so far. While he’s only managed to convert one of those into a goal, his willingness to shoot and create scoring chances is encouraging. His current shooting percentage, around 6.25%, suggests that there’s room for improvement, but it’s also a reflection of him getting good opportunities and eventually, more of those shots will start finding the back of the net. For a young player still adapting to a new league, patience and confidence will be key in turning those chances into more goals.

What’s clear is that MattyJ is showing real potential as a playmaker and a reliable presence on the ice. He’s been able to set up his teammates for goals and create chances through his smart puck movement. The chemistry with his linemates, especially BSV and Matviy, will continue to improve as they spend more time together on the ice, and that could lead to more consistent offensive production down the line.

In terms of his role on the team, MattyJ knows that he’s expected to put pucks in the net and help generate offense. He’s confident that as he continues to settle into his spot on the team, he’ll start to find his groove. For now, it’s about gaining experience, building confidence, and learning how to compete at the SHL level night in and night out. The Edmonton Blizzard, for their part, are likely excited by what they’ve seen from their young forward so far, and there’s plenty of optimism that he’ll only get better as the season progresses. It’s early in his SHL career, but all signs point to MattyJ becoming a key piece of the Edmonton Blizzard’s future.

We spoke to MattyJ about his early SHL career and the success the Edmonton Blizzard have had so far this season. It wasn’t easy to get him and his teammates off the ice for a quick interview, as they’ve been putting in extra practice to build chemistry and improve their game. But MattyJ was kind enough to take a break and share some thoughts with us.

When asked about his experience so far in the SHL, MattyJ admitted that the jump from the SMJHL to the SHL has been a big one. “The game’s a lot faster, and you don’t have as much time to make decisions,” he said. “But I’ve got great guys around me, especially BSV and Matviy, and they’ve made the transition easier. We’re working hard to find our chemistry and I think it’s starting to show.”

MattyJ also talked about being part of the Blizzard’s second powerplay unit, something he’s really excited about. “It’s a huge opportunity for us,” he explained. “Being trusted to go out there and help the team score on the man advantage is something we take seriously. We’re still figuring out how to get the most out of each other, but the more time we get together, the better we’ll be. I’m confident we’ll start putting up numbers soon.”

When asked about the team’s overall performance, MattyJ was quick to credit the leadership and focus of the group. “We’ve got a great locker room, a lot of guys who know how and want to win. Everyone’s pulling in the same direction, and that makes it easy for all the younger guys like me to fit in. We’re off to a solid start, but we know we’ve got to keep working if we want to stay competitive.” I mentioned if it was a surprise to him to have 3 wins thus far given the projections from the league offices. “Well, to be honest with you, yes. The stats were putting up do not portray a team that has won 3 games, or even 1, but that just shows the heart and will to win of this team. We cannot keep playing this way if we want to find further success.”

He wrapped up by saying how grateful he is to be a part of the Edmonton Blizzard and how excited he is for what’s to come. “It’s been a great experience so far. I’m just trying to take it all in and keep getting better every day.” It was clear MattyJ, was ready to get back to the ice, but I needed to ask one more thing. I tried to get a word in about the rumors swirling around the league that many of the Blizzard players bet the under on the team’s win total this season. He turned around and began skating back to practice. As he was skating away, he turned over his shoulder at center ice and shouted, “We are winning games, how does that make any f***ing sense.”

With that, the interview was over. We do appreciate MattyJ taking the time to speak with us. He is a mature and well-spoken young player, but we did get to see that fiery side of him which can prove to be an asset to a player like himself. We wish MattyJ and the Edmonton Blizzard the best of luck the rest of the way. This team has all the makings of a future force in the league, and we are looking forward to it.

Thank you and Good Night.

Written by: Matt Johnson (unrelated to MattyJ)

1480 words

***HabsFanFromOntario*** · 10-18-2024, 01:24 PM

THAT'S OUR QUARTERBACK

***hockeyiscool*** · 10-18-2024, 04:38 PM

This man Baked!

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