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Matt Bartkowski
Matt Bartkowski
Matt Bartkowski
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Matthew Richard Bartkowski (born June 4, 1988) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He most recently played for the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League (AHL).

Key Information

Playing career

[edit]

Florida Panthers

[edit]

Bartkowski played high school hockey at Mt. Lebanon High School in suburban Pittsburgh. He was selected by the Florida Panthers in the 7th Round (190th overall) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft following his final year in the USHL with the Lincoln Stars.

Boston Bruins

[edit]

On March 3, 2010, the Panthers traded Bartkowski, along with Dennis Seidenberg, to the Boston Bruins for Byron Bitz, Craig Weller, and a 2nd round 2010 NHL Entry Draft choice.[1] On April 29, 2010, Bartkowski was then signed to a two-year entry-level contract with the Bruins.[2]

On January 10, 2011, Bartkowski made his NHL debut for the Boston Bruins against his hometown team, the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Bruins went on to win the game 4-2, with Bartkowski registering two penalty minutes.[3]

Bartkowski with the Bruins in 2013

On June 15, 2011, the Boston Bruins won the Stanley Cup in game seven against the Vancouver Canucks. Bartkowski got to take part in the Bruins celebration and he also got to raise the Stanley Cup without playing a single playoff game with the Bruins. He did not, however, have his name engraved on the Stanley Cup, as a player to have his name inscribed must have played at least 41 games for the championship team during the regular season (provided the player remains with the team when they win the Cup) or played in at least one game of the Stanley Cup Finals.[4]

On May 13, 2013, Bartkowski scored his first NHL goal, notching a playoff goal during Boston's Game seven win over the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Conference Quarterfinals of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs.[5]

On July 14, 2014, Bartkowski signed a one-year extension with the Bruins worth $1.25 million, avoiding arbitration.[6]

Vancouver Canucks

[edit]

On July 1, 2015, Bartkowski signed a one-year deal with the Vancouver Canucks.[7] On October 18, 2015, Bartkowski scored his first NHL regular season goal in a 2-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. The goal came in Bartkowski's 137th game played in the NHL.[8]

Bartkowski appeared in a career-high 80 games for the Canucks during the 2015-16 season, scoring 18 points. However, the club chose not to re-sign him at season's end, making him an unrestricted free agent.[9]

On September 16, 2016, Bartkowski was signed to a professional tryout by the Ottawa Senators.[10] On October 5, he was released from his professional tryout with the Senators.[11] He returned informally to the Bruins organization in accepting a professional try-out contract with former club, the Providence Bruins of the AHL to begin the 2016–17 season. In 34 games with Providence, Bartkowski added 2 goals and 10 points.

Calgary Flames

[edit]

On February 15, 2017, Bartkowski was signed to a professional tryout with the Calgary Flames, reuniting him with head coach Glen Gulutzan, formerly an assistant in Vancouver.[12] The next day, Bartkowski signed a two-year, two-way deal with the Flames.[13]

Minnesota Wild

[edit]

On July 1, 2018, as a free agent from the Flames, Bartkowski agreed to a one-year, two-way contract with the Minnesota Wild.[14] He re-signed with the Wild on another one-year, two-way contract on June 11, 2019.[15]

Later years

[edit]

As a free agent after three seasons within the Wild organization, Bartkowski agreed to attend the Pittsburgh Penguins training camp on a professional tryout basis in preparation for the 2021–22 season. After participating in pre-season, Bartkowski was released by Pittsburgh and signed to a one-year AHL contract with affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, on October 2, 2021.[16]

Following a full season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Bartkowski for the second consecutive season went un-signed over the summer. He later joined the Rochester Americans in the AHL, affiliate to the Buffalo Sabres, agreeing to a professional tryout contract on October 29, 2022 to begin the 2022–23 season.[17]

Career statistics

[edit]
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2004–05 Mount Lebanon High School HS-PA — — — — — — — — — —
2004–05 Pittsburgh Predators AAA U18 AAA — — — — — — — — — —
2005–06 Mount Lebanon High School HS-PA 21 14 29 43 — — — — — —
2005–06 Pittsburgh Predators AAA U18 AAA — — — — — — — — — —
2006–07 Lincoln Stars USHL 57 3 6 9 95 3 0 0 0 2
2007–08 Lincoln Stars USHL 60 4 37 41 135 8 1 4 5 10
2008–09 Ohio State University CCHA 41 5 15 20 46 — — — — —
2009–10 Ohio State University CCHA 39 6 12 18 99 — — — — —
2010–11 Providence Bruins AHL 69 5 18 23 42 — — — — —
2010–11 Boston Bruins NHL 6 0 0 0 4 — — — — —
2011–12 Boston Bruins NHL 3 0 0 0 0 — — — — —
2011–12 Providence Bruins AHL 50 3 19 22 38 — — — — —
2012–13 Providence Bruins AHL 56 3 21 24 56 5 0 5 5 4
2012–13 Boston Bruins NHL 11 0 2 2 6 7 1 1 2 4
2013–14 Boston Bruins NHL 64 0 18 18 30 8 0 1 1 10
2014–15 Boston Bruins NHL 47 0 4 4 37 — — — — —
2015–16 Vancouver Canucks NHL 80 6 12 18 50 — — — — —
2016–17 Providence Bruins AHL 34 2 8 10 27 — — — — —
2016–17 Calgary Flames NHL 24 1 1 2 26 4 0 0 0 0
2017–18 Calgary Flames NHL 18 0 3 3 4 — — — — —
2018–19 Iowa Wild AHL 70 4 15 19 48 11 1 1 2 10
2018–19 Minnesota Wild NHL 2 1 0 1 0 — — — — —
2019–20 Iowa Wild AHL 55 2 16 18 55 — — — — —
2019–20 Minnesota Wild NHL — — — — — 1 0 0 0 0
2020–21 Iowa Wild AHL 23 1 7 8 19 — — — — —
2020–21 Minnesota Wild NHL 1 0 0 0 0 — — — — —
2021–22 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL 72 4 12 16 29 6 1 0 1 0
2022–23 Rochester Americans AHL 65 3 11 14 60 14 2 1 3 8
NHL totals 256 8 40 48 157 20 1 2 3 14

Awards and honors

[edit]
Award Year
USHL
First All-Star Team 2008 [18]
College
All-CCHA Rookie Team 2009 [19]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Matt Bartkowski

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Matthew Adam Bartkowski (born June 4, 1988) is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman who played 256 games in the National Hockey League (NHL) across four teams, accumulating 8 goals and 40 assists. Born and raised in , , he attended Mt. Lebanon High School and began playing hockey at age 6, later starring at where he earned CCHA All-Rookie Team honors in 2009. Bartkowski was selected in the seventh round, 190th overall, by the in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft before being traded to the organization in 2010. He made his NHL debut with the Bruins on January 10, 2011, against his hometown , and became part of their 2011 Stanley Cup-winning roster, though he did not appear in the playoffs. Over the next several seasons, he established himself as a reliable depth defenseman, scoring his first NHL goal in the 2013 playoffs against the , before moving to the (2015–2016), (2016–2018), and (2018–2021). His professional career extended into the (AHL) until his retirement following the 2022–23 season. Since retiring, Bartkowski has transitioned into broadcasting and coaching, joining in 2023 as a studio analyst for pregame, intermission, and postgame coverage. He also serves as director of player development and assistant coach for the U15 Pittsburgh Vengeance AAA team. A Mt. native, he resides in the area with his wife Jessica and their three children.

Early life and amateur career

Youth and high school hockey

Matthew Bartkowski was born on June 4, 1988, in , , a region with a strong hockey culture bolstered by the presence of the NHL's . Growing up in the suburb of , he was immersed in an environment where was a prominent youth sport, with local rinks and leagues fostering talent from an early age. Bartkowski began skating at age five after expressing interest inspired by watching the sport on television, and by age six, he had joined a recreational in Pittsburgh's local leagues. His early years were dedicated to developing his skills on the , progressing through the ranks of Pittsburgh's competitive hockey programs, where he emerged as one of the top young defensemen in the area. This foundation in local leagues honed his physical play and skating ability, setting the stage for his high school success. At High School, Bartkowski played varsity hockey starting as a in the 2004–05 season, making an immediate impact on the team with his size and defensive prowess. Standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing around 190 pounds by his senior year, he captained the Blue Devils and recorded 14 goals and 29 assists for 43 points in 21 games during the 2005–06 season, contributing significantly to the team's performance in Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League play. As a high school senior, Bartkowski initially planned to attend Penn State University as a regular student, focusing on academics rather than , but his standout play led to a pivot toward full-time hockey pursuit. Following , he was selected 10th overall in the 2006 USHL Entry Draft by the , marking his transition to junior hockey.

Junior and college career

Bartkowski began his junior hockey career after being selected 10th overall by the in the 2006 USHL Entry Draft. Over two seasons with the Stars from 2006 to 2008, he appeared in 117 regular-season games, recording 7 goals and 43 assists for 50 points while accumulating 230 penalty minutes, showcasing his physical, defensive style on the blue line. In his second season (2007–08), Bartkowski emerged as a key contributor, tallying 4 goals and 37 assists for 41 points in 60 games, which earned him a spot on the USHL First All-Star Team. His performance highlighted his ability to facilitate plays from the back end while prioritizing shutdown responsibilities against top opponents. Following his junior tenure, Bartkowski was selected in the seventh round, 190th overall, by the in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. He then committed to , joining the Buckeyes' program in the (CCHA) for the 2008–09 season. As a freshman, Bartkowski quickly adapted to the collegiate level, posting 5 goals and 15 assists for 20 points in 41 games and earning recognition on the CCHA All-Rookie Team for his steady defensive play and emerging offensive instincts. In his sophomore year (2009–10), he added 6 goals and 12 assists for 18 points in 39 games, further refining his game as a reliable, two-way defenseman who logged significant minutes in key situations, including penalty kill duties and against opponents' top lines. Over his two collegiate seasons, Bartkowski totaled 11 goals and 27 assists for 38 points in 80 games, solidifying his reputation as a physical presence capable of transitioning to professional hockey. Bartkowski departed Ohio State after his sophomore year when the Panthers traded his NHL rights to the on March 3, 2010, prompting him to sign an entry-level and turn professional.

Professional career

Boston Bruins

Bartkowski was acquired by the from the on March 3, 2010, as part of a trade deadline deal that sent forwards Byron Bitz and Craig Weller, along with a second-round draft pick in 2010, to in exchange for defenseman Dennis Seidenberg and Bartkowski's rights. Shortly after, on April 29, 2010, he signed a two-year entry-level with the Bruins, marking the beginning of his professional career in the organization. Bartkowski began his professional tenure in the (AHL) with the during the 2010–11 season, where he appeared in 69 games, recording 5 goals and 18 assists while helping to solidify the team's defensive structure through consistent play and physical presence. Over the next two seasons (2011–12 and 2012–13), he added 109 more AHL games with Providence, totaling over 175 appearances in his initial three years, during which he developed reliability as a stay-at-home defenseman, averaging around 20 points per season and contributing to the team's penalty kill units with his shot-blocking and positional awareness. This AHL experience honed his defensive fundamentals, preparing him for NHL opportunities. Bartkowski made his NHL debut with the Bruins on January 10, 2011, against the , his hometown team, in a 4–2 victory where he logged 9:53 of ice time. He appeared in limited regular-season action over the next two years, playing 3 games in 2011–12 and 11 in the lockout-shortened 2012–13 season, where he earned 2 assists. His role expanded significantly in 2013–14, when he suited up for 64 games as a bottom-pairing defenseman, registering 18 assists and a +22 rating while averaging 19:32 of ice time per game and contributing to the Bruins' league-leading penalty kill efficiency at 87.3 percent. In the 2014–15 season, he played 47 games, adding 4 assists in a continued depth role. During the , Bartkowski played 7 games as the Bruins advanced to the Final, scoring his first NHL goal—a tally—in Game 7 against the and logging key minutes on the penalty kill during the team's run. He appeared in 8 more playoff games the following year against the in the second round. Following the 2014–15 season, Bartkowski became an unrestricted and departed the organization, signing a one-year contract with the on July 1, 2015.

Vancouver Canucks

Bartkowski signed a one-year, $1.75 million contract with the as an unrestricted on July 1, 2015, filling a void on the blue line following the departure of veteran defenseman . During the 2015–16 season, Bartkowski appeared in all 80 games for , marking his first full NHL campaign and a shift toward greater offensive involvement compared to his defensive-minded role in . He tallied career-best totals of 6 goals and 12 assists for 18 points, including his first regular-season NHL goal on October 18, 2015, against the in a 2–1 loss. Averaging 18:37 of ice time per game, Bartkowski contributed to both even-strength play and penalty kill situations, helping to stabilize a transitioning defense corps amid the team's rebuilding efforts. His goal output represented a significant evolution, as he had scored just 2 regular-season goals across 131 prior NHL appearances. Despite the personal production gains, struggled league-wide, finishing last in the Pacific Division with a 31–38–13 record, and Bartkowski posted a -19 rating reflective of the team's defensive woes. Following the season's conclusion, he became an unrestricted on July 1, 2016, and departed the organization without a new offer from the Canucks.

On February 16, 2017, Bartkowski signed a two-year, with the after a one-day professional tryout, reuniting him with head coach from their time together in . The deal carried an average annual value of $612,500 at the NHL level. Prior to signing with Calgary, Bartkowski spent the early part of the 2016-17 season with the (AHL), appearing in 34 games and recording 2 goals and 8 assists. Bartkowski served as a depth defenseman for the Flames, primarily filling a bottom-pairing role and providing organizational stability on the blue line amid injuries to key players like . In the 2016–17 season, he appeared in 24 regular-season games after joining the team late in , recording 1 and 1 assist for 2 points while accumulating 26 penalty minutes and a -4 plus-minus rating; he also dressed for 4 playoff games without recording a point. His ice time averaged 15:23 per game, reflecting his limited offensive contributions and focus on defensive responsibilities. The 2017–18 season saw Bartkowski's role further diminished by stiff competition from younger defensemen and recurring health issues, leading to frequent healthy scratches and only 18 regular-season appearances, where he tallied 3 assists and a -3 plus-minus rating with 4 penalty minutes. Despite his limited on-ice impact—totaling just 42 NHL games over two seasons with —team officials praised his and in the locker room. The Flames opted not to extend his contract following the 2017–18 campaign, allowing him to become an unrestricted .

Minnesota Wild

On July 1, 2018, Bartkowski signed a one-year, two-way contract with the worth $650,000 at the NHL level and $350,000 in the (AHL). During the 2018–19 season, he appeared in two NHL games for the , scoring one goal, while spending the majority of his time with the AHL's affiliate, where he recorded 19 points (4 goals, 15 assists) in 70 games. Known for his physical, defensive style that emphasized throwing his weight around on the ice, Bartkowski served primarily as a depth defenseman, often functioning as the seventh option on the blue line. Bartkowski re-signed with the Wild on June 11, 2019, to another one-year, two-way contract. In the 2019–20 season, he played all 55 regular-season AHL games with Iowa, tallying 18 points (2 goals, 16 assists) and 55 penalty minutes, while making one playoff appearance for Minnesota without recording a point. He signed a third consecutive one-year, two-way deal with the Wild on October 8, 2020, valued at $700,000. Across his three seasons in the organization, Bartkowski suited up for 148 AHL games with Iowa, contributing 45 points (7 goals, 38 assists) and establishing himself as a reliable veteran presence on the backend. In the 2020–21 season, Bartkowski played his final NHL game with on January 7, 2021, logging 13:02 of ice time without a point. He appeared in 23 AHL games with that year, adding 8 points (1 goal, 7 assists). Following the expiration of his contract, Bartkowski departed organization as an during the 2021 offseason.

Post-NHL years

After leaving the NHL following the 2020–21 season, Bartkowski signed a professional tryout agreement with the on September 3, 2021, but was released on October 2, 2021, before signing a one-year contract with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton , the top affiliate of the , on October 2, 2021. During the 2021–22 season, he appeared in 72 regular-season games, recording 4 goals and 12 assists for 16 points, while accumulating 29 penalty minutes and posting a plus-7 rating, contributing as a reliable stay-at-home defenseman on the ' blue line. For the 2022–23 season, after signing a professional tryout with the on September 18, 2022, and being released on October 10, 2022, Bartkowski joined the , the ' AHL affiliate, initially on a professional tryout agreement signed on October 29, 2022. He earned a one-year AHL contract on December 30, 2022, after impressing in his first 10 games. In 65 regular-season games with Rochester, Bartkowski tallied 3 goals and 11 assists for 14 points, along with 60 penalty minutes and a minus-10 rating, while adding 2 goals and 1 assist in 14 playoff contests as the team advanced to the conference finals. His physical, veteran style provided stability and leadership to the Amerks' defense during a competitive playoff run. Bartkowski did not sign another professional contract after the 2022–23 season and officially retired from professional hockey in 2023 at age 35. Over his entire AHL career spanning nine seasons with multiple teams, he played 494 games, amassing 27 goals and 127 assists for 154 points, establishing himself as a durable, known for his shot-blocking and penalty-killing reliability rather than offensive production.

Career statistics and achievements

Regular season and playoff statistics

Bartkowski's statistical performance across junior, college, minor professional, and NHL levels is outlined in the tables below, encompassing regular season and playoff appearances where applicable. Data is compiled from verified hockey databases.

USHL Statistics

SeasonTeamGPGAPtsPIM
2006–075736995
2007–086043741135
Total11774350230
USHL playoffs: 11 GP, 1 G, 4 A, 5 Pts, 12 PIM.

NCAA Statistics ()

SeasonTeamGPGAPtsPIM
2008–09Ohio State415152046
2009–10Ohio State396121899
Total80112738145

AHL Regular Season Statistics

SeasonTeamGPGAPtsPIM
2010–11Providence Bruins695182342
2011–12Providence Bruins503192238
2012–13Providence Bruins563212456
2016–17Providence Bruins34281027
2018–19Iowa Wild704151948
2019–20Iowa Wild552161855
2020–21Iowa Wild2317819
2021–22Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins724121629
2022–23Rochester Americans653111460
Total49427127154374
AHL playoffs: 36 GP, 4 G, 7 A, 11 Pts, 22 PIM.

NHL Regular Season Statistics

SeasonTeamGPGAPtsPIM
2010–11Boston Bruins60004
2011–12Boston Bruins30000
2012–13Boston Bruins110226
2013–14Boston Bruins640181830
2014–15Boston Bruins4704437
2015–16Vancouver Canucks806121850
2016–17Calgary Flames2411226
2017–18Calgary Flames180334
2018–19Minnesota Wild21010
2020–21Minnesota Wild10000
Total25684048157
NHL career spanned the 2010–11 to 2020–21 seasons.

NHL Playoff Statistics

SeasonTeamGPGAPtsPIM
2012–13Boston Bruins71124
2013–14Boston Bruins801110
2016–17Calgary Flames40000
2019–20Minnesota Wild10000
Total2012314

Awards and honors

Bartkowski's most notable awards came during his amateur career. In , while playing for the in the United States Hockey League (USHL), he was selected to the USHL First All-Star Team, recognizing his strong defensive play and contributions to the team's performance. During his freshman season at in 2008–09, Bartkowski earned a spot on the (CCHA) All-Rookie Team, becoming the first Buckeyes defenseman to receive the honor in a decade; he recorded five goals and 15 assists in 41 games that year. Earlier, in high school at Mt. Lebanon High School during the 2005–06 season, Bartkowski was named to the Stellar Six as part of the PIHL All-Star Team and selected as the Post-Gazette Player of the Year for Southwestern , highlighting his leadership and skill as a defenseman. Bartkowski did not receive any individual awards during his NHL or AHL career, though he provided veteran leadership in the minors, including serving as a key presence on defensive units.

References

  1. https://www.nhl.com/player/matt-bartkowski-8474749
  2. https://lebomag.com/bartkowski-in-the-booth/
  3. https://www.espn.com/nhl/player/bio/_/id/5672/matt-bartkowski
  4. https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/minnesota-wild/former-wild-defenseman-joins-sportsnet-pittsburgh-as-studio-analyst
  5. https://www.eliteprospects.com/staff/92364/matt-bartkowski
  6. https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/b/bartkma01.html
  7. https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/archive/2014/03/21/late-bloomer-matt-bartkowski-had/63572971007/
  8. https://www.bostonherald.com/2013/05/29/matt-bartkowski-heads-home-the-enemy/
  9. https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/17963/mt.-lebanon-high/stats/all-time
  10. https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/16707/matt-bartkowski
  11. https://www.eliteprospects.com/draft/ushl-entry-draft/2006
  12. https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=99056
  13. https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/canucks-sign-matt-bartkowski-to-one-year-deal/
  14. https://puckpedia.com/player/matt-bartkowski
  15. https://dailyhive.com/calgary/flames-sign-matt-bartkowski-contract-2017
  16. https://puckpedia.com/signing/3054
  17. https://calgarysun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/calgary-flames/flames-praise-seldom-used-blueliner-bartkowski-hes-been-outstanding-in-here
  18. https://thehockeywriters.com/docs/matt-bartkowski/
  19. https://www.iowawild.com/news/detail/defenseman-matt-bartkowski-keeping-eyes-on-nhl-while-being-vet-presence-with-iowa
  20. https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/wild-sign-matt-bartkowski-one-year-two-way-deal/
  21. https://www.iowawild.com/news/detail/minnesota-wild-re-signs-matt-bartkowski-to-one-year-two-way-contract
  22. https://puckpedia.com/signing/5891
  23. https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/hockey/news/wilds-matt-bartkowski-shipped-down-to-minors/
  24. https://media.nhl.com/site/asset/public/ext/2021-22/2021-22%2520NHL%2520Offseason%2520Summary.pdf
  25. https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2021/09/pittsburgh-penguins-sign-brian-boyle-matt-bartkowski-to-ptos.html
  26. https://www.wbspenguins.com/penguins-sign-defenseman-matt-bartkowski/
  27. https://theahl.com/stats/player/3694
  28. https://bluelinestation.com/2022/09/19/rangers-sign-unrestricted-free-agent-matt-bartkowski-pto/
  29. https://www.amerks.com/news/detail/amerks-sign-bartkowski-to-professional-tryout
  30. https://www.amerks.com/news/detail/amerks-ink-bartkowski-to-one-year-ahl-deal
  31. https://www.amerks.com/news/detail/matt-bartkowski-season-in-review
  32. https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/news/2009/3/9/mhky-bartkowski-and-dalpe-selected-to-ccha-all-rookie-team
  33. https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/highschool/2006/04/16/hockey-the-2006-steller-six/stories/200604160129
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