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Matthew Lombardi

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Matthew Lombardi
Lombardi as a Ranger in the 2014 pre-season.
Born (1982-03-18) March 18, 1982 (age 42)
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 195 lb (88 kg; 13 st 13 lb)
Position Centre
Shot Left
Played for Calgary Flames
Phoenix Coyotes
Nashville Predators
Toronto Maple Leafs
Anaheim Ducks
Genève-Servette HC
National team  Canada
NHL draft 215th overall, 2000
Edmonton Oilers
90th overall, 2002
Calgary Flames
Playing career 2002–2016

Matthew Lombardi (born March 18, 1982) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey center who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Calgary Flames, Phoenix Coyotes, Nashville Predators, Toronto Maple Leafs and Anaheim Ducks. Lombardi made his NHL debut in 2003 and was a member of the Flames' team that went to the 2004 Stanley Cup Finals. During his career he was plagued with injuries, suffering two significant concussions. Lombardi played for Team Canada at the IIHF World Championships, winning gold in 2007 and silver in 2009. While playing in Switzerland, he was named to Team Canada and won the 2015 Spengler Cup. He retired from playing hockey in 2016.

Playing career

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Lombardi was born and raised in Hudson, Quebec, a suburb of Montreal, Quebec.[1] As a youth, he played in the 1995 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the Lac-Saint-Louis-Ouest minor ice hockey team.[2] He later played hockey for the LaPresqu'ile minor hockey association before playing junior ice hockey for the Victoriaville Tigres in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) for four years.[3]

Lombardi while playing for the Calgary Flames

Lombardi was selected in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft 215th overall by the Edmonton Oilers. Lombardi failed to sign with the Oilers, re-entering the draft where he was picked 90th overall by the Calgary Flames in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.[4] Lombardi was known for his speed and good two-way play.[5] Lombardi made his NHL debut during the 2003–04 season after making the team out of training camp. He scored his first goal on October 21, 2003, against Dwayne Roloson of the Minnesota Wild in a 3–2 win while playing on the first line with Jarome Iginla and Steven Reinprecht.[6][7] He finished the season scoring 16 goals and 29 points. Lombardi played in the 2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He played in 13 games, registering 4 points[8] before suffering a vicious elbow to the head from Red Wings defenceman Derian Hatcher in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals. Lombardi finished the game but never returned in the playoffs.[8][9] Hatcher received a three-game suspension.[9] The Flames eventually lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Seven of the Stanley Cup Finals.[10]

During the locked-out 2004–05 season, he played for the Flames affiliate Lowell Lock Monsters in the American Hockey League (AHL), after he recovered fully from his head injury.[11] Lombardi returned to the NHL and the Flames when the league resumed play in 2005–06.[8] At the beginning of the 2006–07 season, Lombardi's jersey was retired by the Victoriaville Tigres on October 17, 2006, as part of the team's 20th anniversary celebrations.[12] Lombardi registered 20 goals and 46 points with the Flames that season.[4]

He was a member of the 2007 Canadian IIHF World Championship team that won gold. During the tournament he led Team Canada in scoring with six goals and 12 points. In the 2007 offseason, Lombardi signed a three-year extension with Calgary.[4] Lombardi's scoring slumped during the 2007–08 season, leading to calls for increased production from the forward.[13] During the 2008–09 season, Lombardi was slotted in as the team's second line center.[14] Lombardi missed a month of the season with a shoulder injury.[15] On March 4, 2009, trade deadline day in the NHL, Lombardi was traded along with Brandon Prust and a first-round draft pick to the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for center Olli Jokinen and a third-round draft pick. At the time of the trade, Lombardi had scored nine goals and 30 points in 50 games with the Flames.[16]

The Coyotes sought to get younger and sought ought Lombardi's speed.[16] Lombardi finished the season with five goals and 16 points in the 19 games with the Coyotes.[17] At the end of the season, Lombardi was among the Coyotes players that took part in the 2009 IIHF World Championship in Switzerland.[18] Team Canada won silver at the tournament.[19] The following season Lombardi scored a career high 19 goals and 53 points.[17] On February 8, 2010, he recorded a five-point night in a 6–1 win over the Edmonton Oilers.[20]

On July 2, 2010, as an unrestricted free agent from the Coyotes, Lombardi signed a three-year contract with the Nashville Predators.[21] In the first year of the contract Lombardi played only two games, due to a concussion suffered during the first period of an October 13 game against the Chicago Blackhawks.[22] Due to internal cap restrictions on July 3, 2011, he was traded along with Cody Franson by the Predators to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Brett Lebda and Robert Slaney.[23] In the 2011–12 season, on October 6, 2011, he made his return from concussion and played in his first game as a member of the Maple Leafs, scoring the game-winning goal against the Montreal Canadiens.[22] In November, Lombardi missed time with a dislocated shoulder.[24] In 62 games with the Maple Leafs, he scored eight goals and 18 points.[17]

Prior to the lockout shortened 2012–13 season, he was traded by the Leafs back to the Phoenix Coyotes for a conditional draft pick on January 16, 2013, as the Coyotes sought to improve their depth at center.[17][25] Again missing time due to injury due to another shoulder injury[26] and failing to recapture his previous scoring presence with the Coyotes, Lombardi was again on the move at the trade deadline when he was dealt to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Brandon McMillan on April 3, 2013.[27] In 21 games with Phoenix, he had four goals and eight points.[27]

On August 29, 2013, he signed his first contract abroad on a one-year deal with Swiss club, Genève-Servette HC of the National League A.[28] In the 2013–14 season with Geneva, Lombardi regained his scoring touch, scoring 20 goals and 50 points in only 46 games, leading his team in scoring and finishing sixth in the league.[29]

On July 16, 2014, Lombardi returned to the NHL after gaining interest from the New York Rangers, signing a two-year deal worth $1.6 million.[29][30] Lombardi failed to make the team out of training camp and was assigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack, the team's AHL affiliate, after clearing waivers. Lombardi refused to report to the Wolf Pack and was released by the organization after passing unconditional waivers.[31]

On October 13, 2014, Genève-Servette, the team where Lombardi had played for the 2013–14 season, announced that he would be re-joining their team for the 2014–15 season.[32] In 2015, Lombardi played for Team Canada at the Spengler Cup.[33] Team Canada won the Spengler Cup after defeating HC Lugano 4–3 in the final.[34]

After playing 15 professional seasons, Lombardi made his retirement official on November 24, 2016.[35]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1997–98 Gatineau L'Intrépide QMAAA 42 10 13 23 13 4 7 11
1998–99 Victoriaville Tigres QMJHL 47 6 10 16 8 5 0 0 0 0
1999–00 Victoriaville Tigres QMJHL 65 18 26 44 28 6 0 0 0 6
2000–01 Victoriaville Tigres QMJHL 72 28 39 67 66 13 12 6 18 10
2001–02 Victoriaville Tigres QMJHL 66 57 73 130 70 22 17 18 35 18
2002–03 Saint John Flames AHL 76 25 21 46 41 — — — — —
2003–04 Calgary Flames NHL 79 16 13 29 32 13 1 5 6 4
2004–05 Lowell Lock Monsters AHL 9 3 1 4 9 11 0 3 3 16
2005–06 Omaha Ak–Sar–Ben Knights AHL 1 1 1 2 0 — — — — —
2005–06 Calgary Flames NHL 55 6 20 26 48 7 0 2 2 2
2006–07 Calgary Flames NHL 81 20 26 46 48 6 1 1 2 0
2007–08 Calgary Flames NHL 82 14 22 36 67 7 0 0 0 4
2008–09 Calgary Flames NHL 50 9 21 30 30 — — — — —
2008–09 Phoenix Coyotes NHL 19 5 11 16 14 — — — — —
2009–10 Phoenix Coyotes NHL 78 19 34 53 36 7 1 5 6 2
2010–11 Nashville Predators NHL 2 0 0 0 0 — — — — —
2011–12 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 62 8 10 18 10 — — — — —
2012–13 Phoenix Coyotes NHL 21 4 4 8 4 — — — — —
2012–13 Anaheim Ducks NHL 7 0 0 0 4 — — — — —
2013–14 Genève–Servette HC NLA 46 20 30 50 54 12 3 6 9 12
2014–15 Genève–Servette HC NLA 19 6 11 17 8 1 0 1 1 0
2015–16 Genève–Servette HC NLA 34 6 11 17 14 11 1 1 2 2
NHL totals 536 101 161 262 293 40 3 13 16 12
NLA totals 99 32 52 84 76 24 4 8 12 14

International

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Medal record
Ice hockey
Representing  Canada
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2007 Moscow
Silver medal – second place 2009 Bern
Spengler Cup
Gold medal – first place 2015 Davos
Year Team Event Result   GP G A Pts PIM
2007 Canada WC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 9 6 6 12 4
2009 Canada WC 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 9 2 2 4 6
Senior totals 18 8 8 16 10

References

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  1. ^ "«On ne cherche pas d'excuses» - Matthew Lombardi" ["We're not looking for excuses" - Matthew Lombardi]. Le Journal de Montréal (in French). March 3, 2012. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  2. ^ "Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA" (PDF). Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 2018. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
  3. ^ St-Aubin, Félix (March 29, 2020). "Toujours passionné de hockey, Matthew Lombardi forme la prochaine génération" [Still passionate about hockey, Matthew Lombardi is training the next generation]. Radio-Canada (in French). Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c "Flames bring back Lombardi, Nilson". CBC Sports. June 1, 2007. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  5. ^ O'Brien, James (July 2, 2010). "2010 NHL Free Agency: Predators sign speedy Matt Lombardi to three-year, $10.5M deal". NBC Sports. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  6. ^ Duhatschek, Eric (October 23, 2003). "Flames rookie takes charge". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  7. ^ "McLennan stops 20 shots in win". ESPN. Associated Press. October 22, 2023. Archived from the original on August 25, 2023. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  8. ^ a b c "Player Spotlight: Five minutes with Matthew Lombardi". Calgary Flames. May 10, 2007. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  9. ^ a b "Derian Hatcher hit with three-game suspension". ESPN. Associated Press. May 11, 2004. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  10. ^ "Fedotenko scores both Tampa goals". ESPN. June 8, 2004. Archived from the original on August 7, 2018. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  11. ^ Scanlon, Barry (March 25, 2005). "Lombardi gives Lowell lift". The Lowell Sun. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  12. ^ "Flames take priority over junior jersey retirement for Lombardi". The Globe and Mail. October 17, 2006. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  13. ^ "Calgary Flames Revamp Supporting Cast to Compete in Heated Northwest Division". The Hockey News. The Canadian Press. October 2, 2008. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  14. ^ Pharaoh, Jayson (August 16, 2008). "Northwest Division Preview". NBC News 4. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  15. ^ Cruickshank, Scott (December 20, 2008). "Lundmark mushes back to Quad City". Calgary Herald. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  16. ^ a b "Flames acquire Jokinen". CBC Sports. March 4, 2009. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  17. ^ a b c d "Maple Leafs trade centre Matthew Lombardi to Coyotes for Draft Pick". The Hockey News. The Canadian Press. January 16, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  18. ^ "Doan, Lombardi and Upshall to Play for Canada at IIHF World Championship". Arizona Coyotes. April 13, 2009. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  19. ^ "Canada Wins Silver Medal at 2009 IIHF World Championship". Hockey Canada. May 10, 2009. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  20. ^ Baum, Bob (February 8, 2010). "Lombardi's 2 goals help Coyotes rout Oilers 6-1". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  21. ^ LeBrun, Pierre (July 2, 2010). "Lombardi signs three-year deal". ESPN. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  22. ^ a b Arthur, Bruce (October 6, 2011). "For Lombardi, a triumphant return". National Post. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  23. ^ Roarke, Shawn P. "Leafs acquire Lombardi and Franson in swap". NHL.com. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  24. ^ Yerdon, Matt (November 22, 2011). "Matt Lombardi has a dislocated shoulder, might need surgery". NBC Sports. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  25. ^ "Leafs trade Lombardi to Coyotes for conditional pick". TSN. January 16, 2013. Archived from the original on January 18, 2013. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  26. ^ McLellan, Sarah (February 19, 2013). "'Driven' Matthew Lombardi healed, ready to return". USA Today. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  27. ^ a b "Ducks acquire Matthew Lombardi". ESPN. Associated Press. April 3, 2013. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
  28. ^ "Matthew Lombardi rejoint les Aigles" [Matthew Lombardi joins the Aigles] (in French). Genève-Servette HC. August 29, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
  29. ^ a b "Rangers agree to terms with F Lombardi". Sports Illustrated. July 16, 2014. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  30. ^ "Rangers agree to terms with free agent Matthew Lombardi". New York Rangers. July 16, 2014. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
  31. ^ Johnston, Mike (October 14, 2014). "Rangers place Lombardi on unconditional waivers". Sportsnet. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  32. ^ Halford, Mike (October 13, 2014). "Ex-Ranger Lombardi signs with former Swiss league team". NBC Sports. Retrieved October 13, 2014.
  33. ^ "Hockey Canada Announces 23-Player Roster for 2015 Spengler Cup". Hockey Canada. December 23, 2015. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  34. ^ Clinton, Jared (December 31, 2015). "Team Canada Downs HC Lugano to Win Spengler Cup for 13th Time". The Hockey News. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  35. ^ "Matthew Lombardi retraite et opte pour la famille" [Matthew Lombardi retires, chooses to spend more time with family]. La Nouvelle Union (in French). November 24, 2016. Retrieved November 24, 2016.
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