Maple Leafs Prospect Officially Departs Team to Play Overseas
Photo credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs have been dealt a loss as a player in the organization is leaving for a career opportunity in Europe.
Adler Mannheim in the Deutsche Hockey League (DEL), the top flight of German Hockey, have announced the signing of defenseman Nicolas Mattinen.
Mattinen, who had previously played in the DEL in 2023-24 with Straubing, won league MVP before agreeing to a one-year deal with the Leafs.
A 6'5 right-handed defenseman, Mattinen had 16 goals and 46 points in 52 games with the Tigers, named the league's top defender.
The 27-year-old Mattinen played 22 games in the American Hockey League with the Toronto Marlies, netting four points.
Nicolas Mattinen Headed Back To Europe After AHL Stint
In a statement, Mattinen said he was thankful to be back in Germany following his stint in North America.
I'm thrilled and honored to be wearing the Eagles jersey next season. It feels great to be returning to Germany.
I want to do my part to contribute to what I hope will be a successful season and am very excited to meet everyone and start working in August
I want to do my part to contribute to what I hope will be a successful season and am very excited to meet everyone and start working in August
Mannehim coach, former Marlies head coach Dallas Eakins, welcomed the addition of Mattinen to the team's roster.
We are grateful that Nicolas has decided to return from North America and join our team.
He is a proven point scorer in the league and brings size and fighting spirit.
We look forward to seeing him on the ice in our colors soon.
He is a proven point scorer in the league and brings size and fighting spirit.
We look forward to seeing him on the ice in our colors soon.
Eakins, who formerly coached the Anaheim Ducks and Edmonton Oilers in the NHL, has been in charge of Mannheim since the 2023-24 season.
Mattinen, 27, was a sixth-round pick of the Leafs in the 2016 NHL Draft, 179th overall.
After a career in the OHL that included two OHL championships and a CHL Memorial Cup, Mattinen played two seasons in USports with the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees, where he won best defenseman in 2022.
After a stint in the AHL with the Laval Rocket, Mattinen signed in Austria with Villacher, spending a season before his move to Germany with Straubing.
| POLL | ||
MAI 12 | 450 ANSWERS Maple Leafs Prospect Officially Departs Team to Play Overseas Will Nicolas Mattinen do well back in Germany? | ||
| Yes | 367 | 81.6 % |
| No | 83 | 18.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
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