Matt Calvert facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Matt Calvert |
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Calvert with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2014
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| Born | December 24, 1989 Brandon, Manitoba, Canada |
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| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) | ||
| Weight | 174 lb (79 kg; 12 st 6 lb) | ||
| Position | Left wing | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| Played for | Columbus Blue Jackets Colorado Avalanche |
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| NHL Draft | 127th overall, 2008 Columbus Blue Jackets |
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| Playing career | 2010–2021 | ||
Matthew Dean Calvert (born December 24, 1989) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played as a left winger for the Columbus Blue Jackets and Colorado Avalanche during his time in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Blue Jackets chose him in the fifth round, 127th overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
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Playing Career
Junior Hockey Days
Matt Calvert started his junior hockey journey with a short time playing for the Winkler Flyers in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL). The next year, he began playing for the Brandon Wheat Kings in the Western Hockey League (WHL). He played three seasons with the Wheat Kings.
In his second season with the team, he was named an alternate captain. This means he helped lead the team.
After being drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2008, Calvert decided to return to the Wheat Kings for one more season. He wanted to try and win the 2010 Memorial Cup, which was being hosted by Brandon that year. For the 2009–10 season, he was named captain of the Wheat Kings. He also earned special awards, like being named to the Second-Team Eastern Conference All-Star team and the Memorial Cup All-Star team.
Calvert is also famous for scoring a natural short-handed hat-trick against the Calgary Hitmen. A hat-trick is when one player scores three goals in a single game. A short-handed goal happens when a team scores while having fewer players on the ice due to a penalty. He did this in the 2010 WHL Eastern Conference Finals. With this amazing feat, Calvert tied the WHL record for most short-handed goals in one game. He also became the only player in WHL history to score three short-handed goals in one period during the playoffs!
Professional Hockey Career
Columbus Blue Jackets
Calvert started the 2010–11 season playing for the Springfield Falcons. This team is the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Blue Jackets, meaning they are a minor league team connected to the NHL team.
On January 6, 2011, Calvert was called up to play for the Columbus Blue Jackets. He made his NHL debut two days later. In his very next game, he scored his first ever NHL goal against Jonathan Quick of the Los Angeles Kings.
On February 25, 2011, Calvert scored his first NHL hat-trick for the Blue Jackets. This was the 19th hat-trick in the history of the Blue Jackets team.
On April 19, 2014, Matt Calvert helped the Blue Jackets win their first ever Stanley Cup playoff game. He scored a short-handed goal and then the game-winning goal in double overtime against the Pittsburgh Penguins. This was a huge moment for the team!
In the 2017–18 season, Calvert showed how skilled he was. He scored 9 goals and made 15 assists, totaling 24 points in 69 games. He also led his team with two short-handed goals. In the playoffs that year, he scored four points in six games.
Colorado Avalanche
On July 1, 2018, Matt Calvert left the Blue Jackets after playing for them for eight seasons. He signed a three-year contract with the Colorado Avalanche as a free agent.
On July 22, 2021, Calvert announced that he was retiring from the NHL. He retired because of an injury that ended his career.
Personal Life
Matt Calvert married his wife, Courtney, in 2014. They have two sons named Kasey and Beau.
Awards and Honours
| Award | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| WHL | ||
| East Second All-Star Team | 2010 | |
| CHL Memorial Cup All-Star Team | 2010 | |
