New Jersey Devils‘ 1st round pick in the 2012 draft (#29 overall), left wing Stefan Matteau(18) was given quite the opportunity to step right into the big league at age 18 after competing in only half a season in the QMJHL with Blainville-Boisbriand Armada.
Waiting for the lockout to thaw, he was invited to training camp with the chance to make the squad and did just that.
After 17 games, with his first pro goal and a pair of assists to his credit, it was decided to return him to his junior hockey team to play out the remainder of the season; although the situation went amiss and he ended up abruptly leaving the team during their playoff run.
His playing rights were traded to Rimouski Oceanic, but the 6’3″ 215 lbs. player was determined to turn pro and stick with the parent club or start his official rookie season with their minor league affilate Albany Devils.
The latter occurred when he was reassigned to the farm club to continue his development.
In 18 AHL games the built like a power forward has a conservative 3 goals and 4 assists, while seemingly still adjusting to the higher level of play.
Signed to a three-year entry level deal last season, the first campaign of the contract was accounted for in his somewhat tumultuous 2012/2013.
The big 19-year old will likely figure out pretty quickly what it’s going to take for him to jump to the next level permanently and become a fixture in the league but will probably need to pay attention to some good coaching and could use a great veteran mentor.