Matthew “Matt” Stajan

Matthew "Matt" Stajan: Biography in Details

Who is Matthew Stajan?

Matthew Stajan is a Canadian ice hockey player who was awarded the Ralph T. Scurfield Humanitarian Award. As a professional hockey player, he played in Canada, and America and topped his final season with Germany.

Stajan is a well-recognized name and spokesperson for Canada’s charitable organizations like the Alberta Children’s Hospital, Alberta, Canada.

Matthew Stajan- Home, Early Life

Matthew “Matt” Stajan was born on December 19th, 1983 in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.

Mississauga is situated on the shores of the beautiful Lake Ontario, the Regional Municipality of Peel, Toronto, Canada. Stajan’s older sister is Michelle Stajan.

His parents are Mike Stajan and Nana Stajan. Mr. and Mrs. Stajan both are of Slovenian descent. Matt’s grandfather Ludic Stajan was the founder and manufacturer of fire doors. This was later inherited by  Matt’s father and uncle.

Matthew “Matt” Stajan’s uncle Robert Stajan also was an ice hockey player and wore the #14 uniform number. Robert later died of cancer when Matt was still very young. So Matt would go on to wear the same #14 throughout his career with the Maple Leafs, in honor of his dead uncle Robert.

Matthew Stajan- Professional Ice Hockey- NHL

Till 2000, Matthew “Matt” Stajan played minor hockey in his native Mississauga, Ontario with the Greater Toronto Hockey League as a member of the Toronto Red Wings and Mississauga Senators Association.

Belleville Bulls

In 2000, Matthew “Matt” Stajan was drafted by the Belleville Bulls in the Ontario Hockey League, OHL Priority Selection Draft, and played three seasons between 2000 and 2003, scoring 206 points in 182 games. He finished with a plus-minus rating of +36 and was the finalist as the best defensive forward.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Matthew “Matt” Stajan’s professional ice hockey began when he was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs at the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, in the second round of selection, the 57th overall.

St. John’s Maple Leafs

In 2003, Stajan was assigned to the American Hockey League, the AHL’s St. John’s Maple Leafs at the conclusion of Belleville’s season.

On 2003 April 4th, the very next day after his re-assignment, he debuted his NHL against the Ottawa Senators. He scored his first goal on goaltender Martin Prusek in a 3-1 loss.

In the years 2003-2004, he earned a spot on the Toronto roster. He appeared in 69 games, scored 14 goals, and recorded 27 points; he appeared in three playoff games and also played in the Young Stars Game for the 2004 All-Star Game.

In the interval when the 2004-05 seasons were canceled, Stajan recorded 66 points with St. John’s in 80 games scoring 23 goals.

Maple Leafs

In 2004, Matthew “Matt” Stajan debuted for the NHL as a member of the Maple Leafs after a contract for a new two-year term ahead of the 2006-07 seasons.

In 2008-09, he became among Toronto’s leading scorers with 41 points in 55 games.

Although he was an unrestricted free agent, Matt decided to remain in Calgary.

Calgary Flames

Season 2008-2012, Matt signed a $14 m US contract with the Calgary Flames. In fact, Matt was traded to the Calgary Flames along with Niklas Hagman, Ian White, and Jamal Mayers.

This season was somewhat the worst in ‘franchise history. To top it, the season 2011-2012 took a toll on his fitness because of a sprained ankle and missed 14 games.

After his previous coach Brent Sutter left, the new coach Bob Hartley expanded Stajan’s responsibilities. Stajan responded to Coach Bob’s leadership by scoring one of his best seasons- 23 points in 43 games. This also earned him praise for his defensive skills. However, Matt again suffered a leg contusion, followed by a knee injury after colliding with Montreal’s Jarred Tinordi.

Matthew “Matt” Stajan finished the year with 16 points in 27 games with Calgary which resulted in a combined total and career-high of 57 points.

In 2014-15, Stajan made up for what he lost for the first time since 2008-09. He played every game in the postseason and formed the Flames’ most dangerous forward line along with wingers David Jones and Micheal Ferland. Stajan finished the playoffs with  1 goal and 4 points in 11 games against the Vancouver Canucks.

In 2015-16, a former Canucks assistant Glen Gulutzan replaced Coach Bob Hartley, and Stajan regained his third-line position.

Stajan played his 1,000th NHL game this season in a 4-0 loss to the Anaheim Ducks in 2018-18.

In total, Matthew “Matt” Stajan played a total of fifteen seasons with the NHL.

On 2018, August 29th, he signed up with EHC Red Bull München of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga, the DEL. This would also be his last season.

Stajan was instrumental in steering EHC Red Bull Münich to the finals of the Champions Hockey League and one of the best seasons for him. Stajan recorded 33 points in 52 games for the EHC.

On Tuesday, December 3, 2019, longtime ice-hockey centreman Matt Stajan officially announced his retirement from the NHL.

You may want to read about his official retirement-

“Matt Stajan officially announced his retirement today. He played 1,003 NHL games.

Anytime you get the NHL’s silver stick, that’s a big milestone and you should be commended on one heck of a career.

Congratulations, Matt.

Back in the summer when he was still mulling over his options, I sat down with him to hear all about what ended up being his final season in Germany.

Here’s that story again, in case you missed it.

Matthew “Matt” Stajan and his family had a great time in Europe on his farewell tour.

On 2018, August 29th, he signed up with EHC Red Bull München of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga, the DEL.

This would also be his last season.”

Ice-hockey Leagues Played

Till 2019, Stajan played four leagues-

Ontario Hockey League, Canada

American Hockey League, US.

National Hockey League, USA

Deutsche Fishockey League, Germany

The five teams Stajan played with are-

Belleville Bulls, Ontario, Canada

St. John’s Maple Leafs, Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada

Toronto Maple Leafs, Canada

Calgary Flames, Alberta, Canada

Munich EHC, Olympia Eishalle, Germany

Matthew Stajan- Awards, Recognition

In 2002-03, he was recommended to the OHL in the third All-Star Team.

In 2003, Matt Stajan along with the Canadian National Junior Team won a Silver Medal at the World Junior Hockey Championships.

He was the Toronto Maple Leaf’s nominee for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 2007.

In 2012, Matt became a Member of the All-Star Team in the Canadian Hockey League’s All-Star Series.

In 2013, Bundy was awarded the Ralph T. Scurfied Humanitarian Award for perseverance, dedication, and leadership.

Stajan was nominated for the NHL Foundation Player Award in 2013.

Matthew Stajan- Charity Work

A spokesperson for Alberta Children’s Hospital, Canada.

A supporter of Ronald McDonald House including pumpkin carving at Halloween, cooking nights for the families, and even filling the magic room at the house with toys for children who get to pick a toy after receiving either good or bad news.

On 2014, March 28 he was awarded the J.R. McCaig Award along with Marc Leost.

He is a volunteer with the Calgary Flames Celebrity Charity Golf Classic committee

And in 2014-15 following the death of his first child, Mr. and Mrs. Stajan raised over $100,000 for the neonatal intensive care unit at Calgary’s Foothills Medical Centre. The event was “A Night Under the Stars”.

Matthew Stajan- Stats, Media

Matthew “Matt” Stajan has auburn hair and blue eyes. He is 6 ft 1 in height and weighs 88kg.

He has 15k followers on Twitter, 15k on Instagram, and more than 100k views on YouTube.

Matthew Stajan- Net Worth, Earnings

As of 2022, Matt’s net worth is $10m US, and his earnings as an ice hockey player in 2018 were $3.1m US.

Of Note, Matthew “Matt” Stajan is listed among the top-sixteen richest ice hockey players and is considered to be one of the highest-paid NHL players among which are Jonathan Toews, Sidney Crosby, and Patrick Kane.

In 2017-18, Stajan earned a base salary of $2 million and a signing bonus of $500,000, while carrying a capital hit of $3.1 million. On retirement in 2019, Stajan’s estimated total earnings were  $31,663,414 US.

Summary- In Matthew “Matt” Stajan’s final year in 2019, he played ice hockey in Europe with the EHC Red Bull München.

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Matthew “Matt” Stajan's Birthday Dates