Former 1st-Rounder Seeks NHL Return With Blue Jackets PTO

After a one-year hiatus from the NHL, and a two-year absence from the Columbus Blue Jackets, seven-year veteran Stefan Matteau will try to earn a spot back in the league, signing a PTO with his former team.

Former 1st round pick (pick 29, 2012, NJD) Stefan Matteau has signed a PTO contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets.#CannonFodder#CBJ#FTPH pic.twitter.com/PTPW5MNh5L

— Freeze the Puck Hockey (@FTPH_) September 6, 2023

Now 29, Matteau was a first-round selection of the New Jersey Devils in 2012 (29th overall), and logged a total of 92 NHL games over parts of seven seasons (with just six goals and 11 points). 

He last appeared in the league in 2021-22 with the Colorado Avalanche, but before that spent two years (though only 27 games played) with the Jackets. Matteau played for both Linköping HC of the SHL and ERC Ingolstadt of the DEL. It was in Germany where he re-established himself, with 20 points in 19 games for ERC.

The 6'2" forward/center with both size and speed has bounced around in his time in the NHL, never really establishing a solid role for himself. He'll be in tough to try to win a job with the Blue Jackets on this professional tryout deal at training camp this month.

Photo: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports