Matt Zaba

Matthew Darrell Zaba (born July 14, 1983) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who played one game in the National Hockey League with the New York Rangers in 2010. The rest of his career, which lasted from 2007 to 2015, was spent in the minor leagues and later in the Italian and Austrian leagues.

Matt Zaba
Zaba with the Vienna Capitals in 2014
Born	(1983-07-14) July 14, 1983 (age 41) Yorkton, Saskatchewan, Canada
Height	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight	190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb)
Position	Goaltender
Caught	Left
Played for	New York Rangers HC Bolzano Vienna Capitals
NHL draft	231st overall, 2003 Los Angeles Kings
Playing career	2007–2015

Playing career

Zaba was originally selected 231st overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Los Angeles Kings.

Zaba played for New York Rangers of the National Hockey League. He made his NHL debut in the 2009–10 season on January 23, 2010, replacing Henrik Lundqvist in a game against the Montreal Canadiens.^[1]

Unable to earn a new contract with the Rangers, Zaba left as a free agent to Europe, ending up in the Italian Serie A with HC Bolzano.^[2]

After two successful seasons with the Foxes, Zaba moved to the Neighbouring EBEL, signing a contract with the Vienna Capitals on May 8, 2012.^[3]

After three seasons with the Vienna Capitals, Zaba retired from professional hockey to take up a Goaltending coach position with the under-18 side the Colorado Rampage on July 25, 2015.^[4]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season											Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	W	L	T	OTL	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%		GP	W	L	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%
2000–01	Yorkton Mallers U18	SMAAAHL		26	13	10	3	—	1480	79	0	3.20	—		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2001–02	Penticton Panthers	BCHL		33	—	—	—	—	1980	128	0	3.69	—		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2002–03	Vernon Vipers	BCHL		44	34	9	0	—	2012	96	2	2.21	—		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2003–04	Colorado College	WCHA		23	10	10	2	—	1323	50	1	2.27	.911		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2004–05	Colorado College	WCHA		18	10	5	2	—	1050	43	2	2.46	.916		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2005–06	Colorado College	WCHA		36	20	14	2	—	2068	87	4	2.52	.909		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2006–07	Colorado College	WCHA		33	15	13	4	—	1908	76	3	2.39	.917		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2007–08	Charlotte Checkers	ECHL		9	3	4	—	1	496	30	0	3.63	.891		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2007–08	Idaho Steelheads	ECHL		19	12	4	—	1	1070	39	3	2.19	.927		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2008–09	Hartford Wolf Pack	AHL		41	25	10	—	0	2262	88	2	2.33	.920		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2009–10	New York Rangers	NHL		1	0	0	—	0	34	2	0	3.56	.875		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2009–10	Hartford Wolf Pack	AHL		25	6	12	—	2	1296	68	0	3.15	.899		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2009–10	Charlotte Checkers	ECHL		3	2	1	—	0	185	11	0	3.58	.884		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2010–11	HC Bolzano	ITA		38	25	12	—	0	2240	78	4	2.09	.931		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2011–12	HC Bolzano	ITA		40	26	13	—	0	2343	79	3	2.02	.926		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	Vienna Capitals	EBEL		32	20	11	—	0	—	—	4	2.04	.927		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2013–14	Vienna Capitals	EBEL		47	30	17	—	0	—	—	4	2.40	.917		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2014–15	Vienna Capitals	EBEL		38	20	17	—	0	—	—	4	2.29	.920		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				2	0	1	0	70	5	0	4.35	.815	—		—	—	—	—	—	—	—

Awards and honours

Award	Year
All-WCHA Rookie Team	2003–04