Matt Watkins

This article is about the ice hockey player. For the rugby union footballer, see Matthew Watkins.

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

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

				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		—	—	—	—	—