Richard Matvichuk

Infobox Ice Hockey Player
team=New Jersey Devils
former_teams = Dallas Stars
Minnesota North Stars
league = NHL
position = Defence
shoots = Left
height_ft = 6
height_in = 3
weight_lb = 215
nationality = CAN
birth_date = Birth date and age|1973|2|5|mf=y
birth_place = Edmonton, AB, CAN
draft = 8th overall
draft_year = 1991
draft_team = Minnesota North Stars
career_start = 1992

Richard Matvichuk (born February 5, 1973 in Edmonton, Alberta) is an NHL defenceman, currently a free agent. Although he was born in Edmonton, Richard was raised in the near by city of Fort Saskatchewan. Matvichuk was drafted eighth overall in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft by the Minnesota North Stars, and made the transition, along with several other players, including Mike Modano and Derian Hatcher, to the franchise's move to Dallas, and played 733 regular season games as a Dallas Star. Matvichuk played 12 years for the Stars, scoring 38 goals and 129 assists, although a rather low average of penalty minutes, when compared with his physical style of play. Matvichuk was also a part of the 1999 Stanley Cup winning team which brought Dallas their first championship trophy. He became a free agent in the 2004 NHL off season. He was later signed by the New Jersey Devils, making a similar Stars to Devils transition as Jamie Langenbrunner and Joe Nieuwendyk. He missed all but the last game of the 2006–07 season after having back surgery. He was released by the Columbus Blue Jackets during the 2008 preseason, when he was there on a tryout basis.

External links

*hockeydb|3473