Thiessen ready to get back on the ice

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This article was published 25/06/2020 (1820 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Former Steinbach Piston great, goaltender Matthew Thiessen, will be heading back to the University of Maine this fall for his sophomore year, assuming there’s a hockey season.

Because of COVID-19, the Altona native hasn’t been on the ice for a few months now but will be starting up in the coming weeks at the RINK Training Centre in Winnipeg.

Thiessen was preparing to take part in the college hockey playoffs back in March when everything got thrown off due to the pandemic.

“We were supposed to play the first playoff series in Maine in many years,” said Thiessen, “and the opposing team was literally on the bus coming to us to play when the season was cancelled. So that was crazy.”

Thiessen stayed in Maine for a little bit after the season abruptly ended to have exit meetings with the team’s coaching staff. He and a friend then drove 33 hours from Orono, Maine, back to Altona.

A draft pick of the Vancouver Canucks, Thiessen, also usually attends the Canucks development camp which takes place in June, but this year it was cancelled because of COVID-19. Since being drafted in 2018, the Canucks have yet to offer Thiessen a contract, which is normal as he has plans to complete his college education instead of turning professional right away.

“I still talk to the Canucks frequently, which is nice, and they have my rights until the end of college to sign me,” says Thiessen. “At which point, they can sign me or I can become a free agent and sign somewhere else.”

Thiessen had his start in hockey in the small northern community of Lynn Lake, Manitoba, where he skated a few times as a child. He never played organized hockey however, until he moved to Altona in grade one. And soon after, he found himself in the net.

“I was supposed to go to some tournament as a player, but the other goalie was sick, so I ended up getting thrown in there because I had played before. But apparently, I was crying my eyes out because I didn’t want to play goalie. I guess I did pretty good, though, because I stuck with it and enjoyed it ever since.”

Thiessen credits growing up in Altona as being very important to his development as a top goaltending prospect.

“Growing up here in Altona and playing against teams like Morden and Winkler, it was always really competitive, and there were plenty of battles with them over the years,” said Thiessen. “It was also nice growing up, and getting to play with your buddies, building relationships through hockey that you’ll have for life.”

Thiessen had his big breakthrough with the MJHL’s Steinbach Pistons in 2017-18. His play was nothing short of spectacular as he boasted a .923 save percentage and a 2.06 goals-against average. He posted a .944 save percentage enroute to his team winning the league championship, and then the ANAVET Cup.

“I really put in the work the year before, which gave me the opportunity to play as well as I did in Steinbach, while also having such a great team around me that year. And then I had a great goalie coach in Dan Ferguson, so I’m really appreciative of the whole coaching staff for the job they did with me.”

Thiessen’s season was so good in Steinbach that he was selected at the 2018 NHL Entry Draft by the Vancouver Canucks in the seventh round (192nd overall).

“I was in my basement watching everything happening during the draft,” relays Thiessen. “I had talked to a couple of NHL teams prior, so I knew there was a chance I might be picked. My hope was to be drafted, as it was my dream since I was a little kid. Then, seeing my name pop up on the TV screen showing I was drafted by Vancouver is a feeling I’ll never forget. I always think of my parents and other family and friends and everyone that’s helped me along the way, I’m so grateful, and I can’t thank them enough for helping me get to where I am.”

Thiessen spent the 2018-19 year playing in Iowa with the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the United States Hockey League (USHL). He then joined the University of Maine for his freshman year in 2019-20 with the Black Bears.

“I couldn’t be happier being in Maine,” said Thiessen. “The people are unbelievable, the coaches are great, and it’s such a great group of guys, so I can’t wait to get back there.”

Thiessen spent his freshman year backing up incumbent Jeremy Swayman in goal, who had a stellar year and was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award (MVP for all of college hockey in the United States). Swayman recently signed with the Boston Bruins, which means that the door is wide open for Thiessen to come in and be the starting goalie for Maine. 

“I’m the only returning goalie next year, and then we have two freshmen coming in, so there will be a competition to get playing time I’m sure which I’m looking forward to.”

During the last few months since he’s been home, Thiessen has been employed with the Town of Altona doing maintenance in and around the town parks. Other than that, he’s been staying around town, working out at home and spending time with his friends.

“I’m just trying to stay in shape, do the things I need to do to prepare me for next season to give me a chance to be successful.”