Matt Koalska

Matt Koalska
Born	May 16, 1980 (1980-05-16) (age 31) St. Paul, MN, USA
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight	205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb)
Position	Center
Shot	Left
Played for	NHL  New York Islanders AHL  Bridgeport Sound Tigers  Hershey Bears  Binghamton Senators
NHL Draft	154th overall, 2000 Nashville Predators
Playing career	2004–2007

Matthew James Koalska (born May 16, 1980 in St. Paul, Minnesota) is a retired American professional ice hockey center. He was drafted in the fifth round, 154th overall, by the Nashville Predators in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career

Koalska played his college hockey at the University of Minnesota from 2000–2004 winning two National Championships.

Koalska made his professional debut with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League in the 2004–05 season. He appeared in three NHL games with the New York Islanders in the 2005–06 season, going scoreless.^[1] On January 5, 2007, the Islanders traded Koalska to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for defenceman Tomas Malec. Koalska finished the season with the Senators' AHL affiliate, the Binghamton Senators before signing in the off-season with HC Bolazno in the Italian Elite League. However, Koalska did not play with Bolazno, having to retire due to a heart condition. He returned to University of Minnesota to complete his degree.^[2]

Career statistics

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1999–00	Twin City Vulcans	USHL		57	24	34	58	19		13	5	5	10	4
2000–01	U. of Minnesota	NCAA		42	10	14	24	36		—	—	—	—	—
2001–02	U. of Minnesota	NCAA		44	10	23	33	34		—	—	—	—	—
2002–03	U. of Minnesota	NCAA		41	9	31	40	26		—	—	—	—	—
2003–04	U. of Minnesota	NCAA		44	13	26	39	44		—	—	—	—	—
2004–05	Bridgeport Sound Tigers	AHL		60	7	8	15	22		—	—	—	—	—
2005–06	Bridgeport Sound Tigers	AHL		75	19	30	49	82		7	2	1	3	0
2005–06	New York Islanders	NHL		3	0	0	0	2		—	—	—	—	—
2006–07	Bridgeport Sound Tigers	AHL		3	0	0	0	0		—	—	—	—	—
2006–07	Hershey Bears	AHL		11	3	2	5	4		—	—	—	—	—
2006–07	Binghamton Senators	AHL		37	5	6	11	22		—	—	—	—	—

References

1. ^ "Player bio" NY Islanders
2. ^ "U athletes wrestle with the future". http://www.startribune.com/local/16059507.html. 

External links

• Matt Koalska's career stats at The Internet Hockey Database

Persondata
Name	Koalska, Matt
Alternative names
Short description	American ice hockey player
Date of birth	May 16, 1980
Place of birth	St. Paul, MN, USA
Date of death
Place of death