Matt Koalska

Matthew James Koalska (born May 16, 1980) is an American former professional ice hockey center. He was drafted in the fifth round, 154th overall, by the Nashville Predators in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. He played 3 games in the National Hockey League with the New York Islanders during the 2005–06 season. He retired in 2007 due to heart issues.

Matt Koalska
Koalska with the Hershey Bears during the 2006-07 season
Born	(1980-05-16) May 16, 1980 (age 45) Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb)
Position	Center
Shot	Left
Played for	New York Islanders
NHL draft	154th overall, 2000 Nashville Predators
Playing career	2004–2007

Playing career

Koalska played his college hockey at the University of Minnesota from 2000–2004 winning two National Championships.

Koalska made his professional debut with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League in the 2004–05 season. He appeared in three NHL games with the New York Islanders in the 2005–06 season, going scoreless.^[1] On January 5, 2007, the Islanders traded Koalska to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for defenceman Tomas Malec. Koalska finished the season with the Senators' AHL affiliate, the Binghamton Senators before signing in the off-season with HC Bolazno in the Italian Elite League. However, Koalska did not play with Bolazno, having to retire due to a heart condition. He returned to University of Minnesota to complete his degree.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1997–98	Hill–Murray School	HS-MN		—	—	—	—	—		—	—	—	—	—
1998–99	Hill–Murray School	HS-MN		26	20	50	70	18		—	—	—	—	—
1999–00	Twin City Vulcans	USHL		57	24	34	58	19		13	5	5	10	4
2000–01	University of Minnesota	WCHA		42	10	14	24	36		—	—	—	—	—
2001–02	University of Minnesota	WCHA		44	10	23	33	34		—	—	—	—	—
2002–03	University of Minnesota	WCHA		41	9	31	40	26		—	—	—	—	—
2003–04	University of Minnesota	WCHA		44	13	26	39	44		—	—	—	—	—
2004–05	Bridgeport Sound Tigers	AHL		60	7	8	15	22		—	—	—	—	—
2005–06	Bridgeport Sound Tigers	AHL		75	19	30	49	82		7	2	1	3	0
2005–06	New York Islanders	NHL		3	0	0	0	2		—	—	—	—	—
2006–07	Bridgeport Sound Tigers	AHL		3	0	0	0	0		—	—	—	—	—
2006–07	Hershey Bears	AHL		11	3	2	5	4		—	—	—	—	—
2006–07	Binghamton Senators	AHL		37	5	6	11	22		—	—	—	—	—
AHL totals				186	34	46	80	130		7	2	1	3	0
NHL totals				3	0	0	0	2		—	—	—	—	—