Matier a happy IceDog
IceDogs draft pick Reece Matier of Thorold poses with his father, former Niagara Falls junior B player Mike Matier. Photo: BILL POTRECZ
The Niagara IceDogs went local in the ninth round of the 2024 Ontario Hockey League draft, selecting Thorold’s Reece Matier with the 181st overall selection.
The 15-year-old forward for the Niagara North Stars was thrilled when he saw his name appear on his phone while following the draft on line.
“I was watching some of my teammates get drafted, some of my friends from other teams get drafted and then saw it pop up and it was kind of a surreal experience,” he said. “It’s still surreal now, still kind of flowing through my body. It’s awesome, that’s for sure.”
The Grade 10 student at Denis Morris is a huge fan of the IceDogs.
“I was excited. It was definitely a little bit of a surprise but I’m excited to be here. It’s my hometown team and couldn’t ask for a better team to get drafted to,” he said. “I’ve been coming to games my whole life. Like watching new players come in, like watching (Ryan) Roobroeck last year. He was really fun to watch.”
Matier collected 13 goals in 34 games for the North Stars last season before adding three goals and five assists in six playoff games and one more goal at the OHL Cup.
“I’m a 200-foot player and I definitely like to score goals but I really like to play defence, that’s kind of what I focus on,” Matier said. “I like playing special teams, like playing the penalty kill a lot. I’m a team player, a pass-first kind of guy who likes to pass the puck and shoot the puck a lot.”
Niagara North Stars head coach Jay Glenney described Matier as a player that kept developing year over year.
“He continued to improve and earned his ice time on the penalty kill and power play this season. He has a high hockey IQ and and was a great teammate always putting the team first.”
Matier comes from a hockey family. His father, Mike Matier, is a former junior B player with Niagara Falls while uncle Mark Matier is an ex-Thorold Blackhawk and Sault Ste. Marie Greyhound. His cousin, Jack Matier, played for the Ottawa 67’s and is now a member of the Nashville Predators organization.
“It’s definitely people I can look up to, definitely a lot of role models in my life including my dad, my cousin Jack and his dad Mark,” Reece Matier said. “They brought me into the OHL experience when he got drafted. It showed me the draft process and it’s definitely an honour following him and now an honour for me to get drafted to my hometown team.
“It’s definitely an experience and definitely an honour to have people in your life like that.”
IceDogs general manager Wes Consorti said the IceDogs are big fans of Reece Matier.
“Our staff love him. Good player, good family. Checked a lot of the boxes. He’s excited to come and we’re excited for him,” Consorti said.
Reece Matier is ready to put his best foot forward in an attempt to crack the lineup next season.
“I think if I can play for the IceDogs it would definitely be an honour but right now U18 for Niagara North is probably a possibility. They have a good coaching staff and I can develop my game there,” he said.
He doesn’t think the local spotlight would be too big of a deal.
“There will be a little bit of pressure but I think I can handle it and shine and be the best I can be,” he said.
Matier plans on working out over the summer and developing his shot and strength.
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