{{short description|American professional ice hockey player}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2019}} {{Infobox ice hockey player | name = Taylor Matson | image = Taylor Matson (cropped).jpg | image_size = 230 px | caption = Matson with the Iowa Wild in 2013 | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1988|09|16}} | birth_place = Mound, Minnesota, U.S. | height_ft = 5 | height_in = 11 | weight_lb = 187 | position = Center/Right Wing | shoots = Right | league = Liiga | team = Tappara | prospect_team = | prospect_league = | former_teams = Chicago Wolves<br>Iowa Wild<br>HV71<br>Rögle BK | ntl_team = | draft = 176th overall | draft_year = 2007 | draft_team = Vancouver Canucks | career_start = 2012 | career_end = }}
'''Taylor Matson''' (born September 16, 1988) is an American professional ice hockey player currently playing for Tappara in Liiga. He was drafted 176th overall by Vancouver Canucks in the 2007 NHL entry draft. Prior to turning professional, Matson spent four years at the University of Minnesota and in the American Hockey League (AHL) and ECHL.
==Playing career== Matson was a two sport athlete at the Academy of Holy Angels, playing both tennis and ice hockey. In 2005, Matson led his schools hockey team to the 2005 Class AA state hockey championship.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Langfellow |first1=Wally |title=Holy Angels wins 2nd title in 4 years |url=http://www.minnesotascore.com/image-archive/050305_story/index.html |website=minnesotascore.com |accessdate=March 2, 2019 |date=March 5, 2005}}</ref> Although he was drafted 25th overall in the 2005 United States Hockey League (USHL) Draft by the Sioux Falls Stampede,<ref>{{cite web |title=Stampede select Brookings native Justin Kirchhevel in Futures Draft |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/stampede-select-brookings-native-justin-kirchhevel-in-futures-draft/n-3221224 |website=oursportscentral.com |accessdate=March 2, 2019 |date=September 6, 2005}}</ref> Matson chose to complete high school before joining the USHL. In varsity tennis, he was named captain his junior and senior year and qualified for the State championship.<ref name = "morning skate">{{cite web |title=Morning Skate With Taylor Matson |url=https://gophersports.com/news/2011/10/5/morning_skate_with_taylor_matson.aspx |website=gophersports.com |accessdate=March 2, 2019 |date=October 5, 2011}}</ref> At the conclusion of the 2006–07 season, Matson was named a finalist for the Minnesota Mr. Hockey award<ref>{{cite web |title=Canucks Draft Wrap-Up |url=https://www.nhl.com/canucks/news/canucks-draft-wrap-up/c-452114 |website=NHL.com |accessdate=March 2, 2019 |date=June 23, 2007}}</ref> and named a second team all-state.<ref name = "gophersports bio">{{cite web |title=TAYLOR MATSON |url=https://gophersports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5236 |website=gophersports.com |accessdate=March 1, 2019}}</ref> After graduating, Matson joined the Des Moines Buccaneers in the USHL to conclude their 2006–07 season. While playing with the Buccaneers, Matson was drafted in the 6th round of the 2007 NHL entry draft by the Vancouver Canucks.<ref>{{cite web |title=Canucks 2007 Entry Draft Recap |url=https://www.nhl.com/canucks/news/canucks-2007-entry-draft-recap/c-452113 |website=NHL.com |accessdate=March 2, 2019 |date=June 23, 2007}}</ref> That year, Matson signed a Letter of Intent to play NCAA Division 1 ice hockey for the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers in the 2008-09 season.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gopher Men's Hockey Announces Eight National Letter of Intent Signees |url=https://gophersports.com/news/2007/11/20/Gopher_Men_s_Hockey_Announces_Eight_National_Letter_of_Intent_Signees.aspx |website=gophersports.com |accessdate=March 2, 2019 |date=November 20, 2007}}</ref>
===Collegiate=== Matson began his freshman season with the Minnesota Golden Gophers while majoring in Kinesiology.<ref name = "gophersports bio"/> His 2008–09 rookie season with the Gophers was cut short with a knee injury in a 6–3 loss to the Michigan Wolverines in December.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Brothers |first1=Bruce |title=Minnesota Gophers lose freshman hockey player Taylor Matson to knee injury |url=https://www.twincities.com/2008/12/01/minnesota-gophers-lose-freshman-hockey-player-taylor-matson-to-knee-injury/ |accessdate=March 1, 2019 |publisher=Twin Cities Press |date=December 1, 2008}}</ref> He underwent surgery for his knee in December and was projected to miss the remainder of the season.<ref>{{cite news |title=Men's hockey: Matson to have season-ending surgery |url=https://www.grandforksherald.com/news/2085318-mens-hockey-matson-have-season-ending-surgery |accessdate=March 1, 2019 |publisher=Grand Forks Herald |date=December 2, 2008}}</ref>
Matson returned for his sophomore season with Gophers healthy after missing 34 games the previous season. He recorded his first collegiate assist on Mike Hoeffel's goal in the season opener against North Dakota.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gophers Take on Denver in Home Opener |url=https://gophersports.com/news/2009/10/21/Gophers_Take_on_Denver_in_Home_Opener.aspx?path=mhockey |website=gophersports.com |accessdate=March 2, 2019}}</ref> However, he played a total of 19 games before suffering an ankle injury which cut his season short.<ref name = "gophersports bio"/> He won the teams Most Determined Player award at the conclusion of the season<ref>{{cite web |title=Lucia Named Men's Hockey Most Valuable Player |url=https://gophersports.com/news/2010/4/24/Lucia_Named_Men_s_Hockey_Most_Valuable_Player.aspx?path=mhockey |website=gophersports.com |date=April 24, 2010|accessdate=March 1, 2019}}</ref> and was named to the WCHA All-Academic team.<ref>{{cite web |title=Schack Leads 11 WCHA All-Academic Selections |url=https://gophersports.com/news/2010/3/17/Schack_Leads_11_WCHA_All_Academic_Selections.aspx |website=gophersports.com |accessdate=March 1, 2019}}</ref>
However, Matson bounced back for the 2010–2011 season and played in a career high 33 games as a junior. He recorded 10 goals and three assists and won the Mike Crupi Most Determined Player for the second time.<ref>{{cite web |title=Annual Awards Handed Out, Patterson Named MVP |url=https://gophersports.com/news/2011/4/11/Annual_Awards_Handed_Out_Patterson_Named_MVP.aspx |website=gophersports.com |accessdate=March 2, 2019 |date=April 11, 2011}}</ref> His season was once again cut short due to an injury he suffered on March 4 against Bemidji State<ref>{{cite web |title=White Scores Twice, Gophers Clinch Home Ice |url=https://gophersports.com/news/2011/3/5/White_Scores_Twice_Gophers_Clinch_Home_Ice.aspx |website=gophersports.com |accessdate=March 2, 2019 |date=March 5, 2011}}</ref> and Matson was forced to miss both the final game of the regular season and the post season games against Alaska Anchorage.<ref name = "gophersports bio"/> He was also named to the WCHA All-Academic team again at the conclusion of the season.<ref name = "All-Academic">{{cite web |title=WCHA ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM |url=http://www.wcha.com/pdf/history15/Honors%20and%20Awards/Honors%20and%20Awards/10-All-time,%20WCHA%20All-Academic%20Team%20Members%20and%20Scholar-Athletes,%20by%20School.pdf |website=wcha.com |accessdate=March 1, 2019 }}</ref>
In his senior year, Matson was named team captain.<ref name = "morning skate"/> On March 24, 2012, Matson and the Golden Gophers qualified for the Frozen Four for the first time since 2005 after beating North Dakota. In the 5–2 win, Matson ended a 17-game goal scoring drought.<ref>{{cite web |title=Frozen Four Bound! Gophers Defeat North Dakota 5-2 to Advance |url=https://gophersports.com/news/2012/3/25/Frozen_Four_Bound_Gophers_Defeat_North_Dakota_5_2_to_Advance.aspx |website=gophersports.com |accessdate=March 2, 2019 |date=March 25, 2012}}</ref> However, the Golden Gophers would lose to the Boston College Eagles in the Frozen Four 6–1 on April 4.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Brothers |first1=Bruce |title=Frozen Four: Boston College hands Gophers a crushing defeat |url=https://www.twincities.com/2012/04/04/frozen-four-boston-college-hands-gophers-a-crushing-defeat/ |accessdate=March 2, 2019 |publisher=Twin Cities Pioneer Press |date=April 4, 2012}}</ref>
===Professional=== On April 7, 2012, after graduating from the University of Minnesota, Matson signed an amateur tryout contract (ATO) with the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League (AHL). After recording two points in five games, Matson signed a professional contract with the team for the 2012–13 season.<ref name = "Wolves">{{cite web |title=Wolves Sign Matson |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/wolves-sign-matson/n-4465351 |website=oursportscentral.com |accessdate=March 2, 2019 |date=August 7, 2012}}</ref> Matson made the Chicago Wolves opening night roster for the 2012–13 season.<ref>{{cite web |title=OPENING ROSTERS ANNOUNCED |url=https://theahl.com/opening-rosters-announced |website=theahl.com |accessdate=March 2, 2019 |date=October 12, 2012}}</ref>
Matson attended the Iowa Wild training camp prior to the 2013–14 season.<ref>{{cite web |title=IOWA WILD ANNOUNCE TRAINING CAMP ROSTER |url=https://www.iowawild.com/news/detail/55 |website=iowawild.com |accessdate=March 2, 2019 |date=September 27, 2013}}</ref> On December 27, 2013, after playing in 26 games for the Iowa Wild, he was reassigned to the teams ECHL affiliate, the Orlando Solar Bears.<ref>{{cite web |title=MINNESOTA RECALLS VEILLEUX, IOWA ASSIGNS MATSON TO ORLANDO |url=https://www.iowawild.com/news/detail/182 |website=iowawild.com |accessdate=March 2, 2019 |date=December 27, 2013}}</ref> Matson was named the ECHL Rookie of the Month of February after recording 19 points in 12 games.<ref name = "ECHL ROM">{{cite web |title=Matson named CCM ECHL Rookie of the Month |url=https://orlandosolarbearshockey.com/news/matson-named-ccm-echl-rookie-of-the-month/ |website=orlandosolarbearshockey.com |accessdate=March 2, 2019 |date=March 2, 2014}}</ref> On March 1, 2014, Matson was recalled to the Iowa Wild after being honored as ECHL Player of the Week.<ref>{{cite web |title=Taylor Matson recalled to Iowa |url=https://orlandosolarbearshockey.com/news/taylor-matson-recalled-to-iowa/ |website=orlandosolarbearshockey.com |accessdate=March 2, 2019 |date=March 1, 2014}}</ref> He was reassigned to the ECHL on March 12, along with Colton Jobke.<ref>{{cite web |title=MATSON AND JOBKE ASSIGNED TO ORLANDO |url=https://www.iowawild.com/news/detail/310 |website=iowawild.com |accessdate=March 2, 2019 |date=March 12, 2014}}</ref>
He signed with Rögle BK of the HockeyAllsvenskan in Sweden on July 28, 2014 to compete in the 2014–15 season.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ny amerikan klar för spel i Rögle |url=https://www.roglebk.se/natmagasinet/visa/2679_ny_amerikan_klar_for_spel_i_rogle |website=roglebk.se |accessdate=March 1, 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729151939/https://www.roglebk.se/natmagasinet/visa/2679_ny_amerikan_klar_for_spel_i_rogle |archivedate=July 29, 2014 |language=Swedish |date=July 28, 2014}}</ref> In his first season with the team, Matson helped them qualify for the Swedish Hockey League, the top tier league in the country.<ref name = ":1">{{cite web |title=Rögle BK förlänger med Taylor Matson |url=https://www.roglebk.se/artikel/e9quajlxr-3k501/rogle-bk-forlanger-med-taylor-matson |website=roglebk.se |accessdate=March 2, 2019 |language=Swedish |date=September 11, 2018}}</ref> He signed an extension with the team on April 12, 2017.<ref>{{cite web |title=Första pusselbitarna i lagbygget |url=https://www.roglebk.se/artikel/x10haj1ez-3k501/forsta-pusselbitarna-i-lagbygget |website=roglebk.se |accessdate=March 2, 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420200348/https://www.roglebk.se/artikel/x10haj1ez-3k501/forsta-pusselbitarna-i-lagbygget |archivedate=April 20, 2017 |language=Swedish |date=April 2, 2017}}</ref>
Prior to the 2018–19 season, Matson extended his contract with the team<ref name = ":1"/> and was named an alternate captain alongside Jesper Williamsson and Ted Brithén.<ref>{{cite web |title=De blir Rögles lagkaptener |url=https://www.roglebk.se/artikel/5cg2ajl6j-3k501/de-blir-rogles-lagkaptener |website=roglebk.se |accessdate=March 2, 2019 |language=Swedish}}</ref>
Following his seventh season with Rögle BK, helping the club reach the Le Mat Trophy finals, Matson left as a free agent and signed with newly relegated Allsvenskan club, HV71, on June 2, 2021.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.hv71.se/article/qt2nakpfs-3iaijd/taylor-matson-klar-for-hv71 | title = Taylor Matson signs with HV71 | publisher = HV71 | date = June 2, 2021 | accessdate = June 2, 2021 | language = Swedish}}</ref>
==Personal life== Matson was born on September 16, 1988, to parents Scott and Lisa Matson.<ref name = "gophersports bio"/>
==Career statistics== {| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:60em" |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! rowspan="100" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! colspan="5" | Regular season ! rowspan="100" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! colspan="5" | Playoffs |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! Season ! Team ! League ! GP ! G ! A ! Pts ! PIM ! GP ! G ! A ! Pts ! PIM |- | 2006–07 | Des Moines Buccaneers | USHL | 10 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 |6 |0 |1 |1 |10 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2007–08 | Des Moines Buccaneers |USHL |55 |13 |24 |37 |38 |— |— |— |— |— |- | 2008–09 | University of Minnesota | WCHA | 13 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |— |— |— |— |— |- |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" |2009–10 |University of Minnesota |WCHA |19 |2 |3 |5 |6 |— |— |— |— |— |- | 2010–11 | University of Minnesota | WCHA |33 |10 |3 |13 |16 |— |— |— |— |— |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2011–12 | University of Minnesota | WCHA | 43 | 8 | 15 | 23 | 28 |— |— |— |— |��� |- |2011–12 |Chicago Wolves |AHL |5 |1 |1 |2 |4 |5 |0 |1 |1 |4 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" |2012–13 |Chicago Wolves |AHL |2 |0 |0 |0 |0 |— |— |— |— |– |- |2013–14 |Iowa Wild |AHL |33 |3 |2 |5 |12 |— |— |— |– |– |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" |2013–14 |Orlando Solar Bears |ECHL |39 |18 |24 |42 |27 |6 |2 |2 |3 |4 |- |2014–15 |Rögle BK |Allsv |52 |13 |24 |37 |34 |10 |1 |4 |5 |6 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" |2015–16 |Rögle BK |SHL |52 |3 |17 |20 |28 |— |— |— |— |— |- |2016–17 |Rögle BK |SHL |31 |1 |2 |3 |10 |— |— |— |— |— |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" |2017–18 |Rögle BK |SHL |40 |8 |4 |12 |12 |— |— |— |— |— |- |2018–19 |Rögle BK |SHL |52 |8 |12 |20 |36 |2 |0 |0 |0 |2 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" |2019–20 |Rögle BK |SHL |52 |9 |7 |16 |16 |— |— |— |— |— |- |2020–21 |Rögle BK |SHL |50 |3 |6 |9 |18 |14 |2 |2 |4 |4 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" |2021–22 |HV71 |Allsv |42 |11 |11 |22 |45 |15 |5 |7 |12 |4 |- |2022–23 |HV71 |SHL |51 |4 |8 |12 |43 |— |— |— |— |— |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" |2023–24 |ICE |Graz 99ers |35 |7 |14 |21 |10 | — | — | — | — | — |- | 2023–24 |Tampere |Liiga | 14 |4 |3 |7 |2 |2 |0 |0 |0 |0 |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" |SHL totals !328 !36 !56 !92 !163 !16 !2 !2 !4 !6 |}
==Awards and honors== {| class="wikitable" ! Award ! Year ! Ref |- ! colspan="3"|College |- | NCAA (WCHA) All-Academic Team | 2010, 2011, 2012 |<ref name = "All-Academic"/> |- ! colspan="3"|ECHL |- | Rookie of the Month (February) | 2014 | <ref name = "ECHL ROM"/> |- | ECHL Player of the Week | 2014 |<ref>{{cite web |title=Matson selected as Sher-Wood Hockey ECHL Player of the Week |url=https://orlandosolarbearshockey.com/news/matson-selected-as-sher-wood-hockey-echl-player-of-the-week/ |website=orlandosolarbearshockey.com |accessdate=March 2, 2019 |date=February 25, 2014}}</ref> |- |}
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == {{icehockeystats|elite=12562}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Matson, Taylor}} Category:1988 births Category:American men's ice hockey centers Category:American men's ice hockey right wingers Category:Chicago Wolves players Category:Des Moines Buccaneers players Category:HV71 players Category:Ice hockey players from Minnesota Category:Iowa Wild players Category:Living people Category:Minnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey players Category:Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL) players Category:Rögle BK players Category:Vancouver Canucks draft picks