Denton Mateychuk making mark in sophomore NHL season with Columbus Blue Jackets

It was a debut nearly a year in the making.

After starting last season in the American Hockey League, Denton Mateychuk made his NHL debut with the Columbus Blue Jackets Dec. 23, 2024.

While that debut was celebrated, it came just a couple weeks after the Blue Jackets had played their lone game in Winnipeg, meaning the Manitoba debut for the Dominion City star had to come this season.

Mateychuk finally took to the NHL in his home province Nov. 18, in front of what seemed like the entire town of Dominion City who had made the trip to the Canada Life Centre watch him play.

“To see all the support that I have when you go somewhere like that, it means a lot to you,” Mateychuk said a couple days later.

“It was a very special night, and one I’ll definitely not forget.”

His American League head coach saw immediately Mateychuk would be able to make an impact in the NHL.

“He needed no direction as far as preparation goes and came in with habits that seven-year pros have,” Cleveland Monsters head coach Trent Vogelhuber said in an interview with the Winnipeg Free Press.

“On the ice, he uses the first option out of the (defensive) zone and if he saw a shooting opportunity, he never passed it up. That maturity in those puck decisions helps him play at an NHL-level pace… He was as polished a player as I’ve had in the American Hockey League.”

Mateychuk even showed off his face for those who made the trip out, going without a helmet for warm-ups despite the related NHL fines.

Mateychuk was drafted in the first round of the NHL draft in 2022, playing in the Western Hockey League for Moose Jaw. He led the Warriors to a championship in his final year, picking up playoff most valuable player and league top defenseman honours. He played a single season of U18 AAA hockey with the Eastman Selects, scoring 30 points in 30 games in the 2019/2020 season while making his debut in the WHL.

“It’s definitely different and it’s a bit of an adjustment,” Mateychuk said when asked about the transition from major junior to pro.

“I’ve really enjoyed that and just tried to take it all in. You’re busy, you play lots of games, and at times it’s very condensed. You’ve got to make the best of it all and I feel like I’ve done a pretty good job of that. It’s been a great learning experience.”

Fans didn’t get a chance to cheer Mateychuk’s name as he couldn’t find the scoresheet in Winnipeg, but did get a chance to see him go toe to toe in front of the net with fellow Manitoban Jonathan Toews during Columbus penalty kills. Mateychuk didn’t start the year on the short-handed crew for Columbus, but has worked his way onto the unit.

In 22 games this year, he has five goals and four assists, already out-pacing his goals mark from last season in half the games. Mateychuk put together three years of point-per-game production with Moose Jaw in major junior.

“There’s definitely some adjustments that have been made in my game from junior to the NHL, there’s just stuff you’re not going to get away with at this level,” he said.

“There’s things where you can push it a little more that I maybe didn’t do last year that I’ve started to try and implement. Attacking off the rush, and in the offensive zone having a bit more poise with the puck. It’s been a pretty good transition, but there’s still things you have to keep working at for sure to get to where I want to be.”

Mateychuk is also working to bring consistent physicality to his game. Playing defense while standing under six feet can be challenging at the NHL level, especially for a player who had been able to impose his will on opponents in junior.

“In junior you go against some 17, 18-year-olds where you have an advantage, if I’m being completely honest” Mateychuk said with a chuckle.

“Here, everybody’s at a level playing field. There’s definitely some battles you go into where you have to take a different approach. You’re not going to purely out-muscle a guy, you have to use your stick or your positioning to get the right read on them to get the puck back.”

Staying motivated after making the show hasn’t been a problem either.

“There’s always somebody else trying to take your job essentially,” Mateychuk said.

“I don’t want to give that up. I want to keep playing for as long as possible. I want to be in the playoffs and be in contention for the Stanley Cup. That’s what keeps driving you once you’re there.”

It’s been a condensed schedule this year in the NHL because of the Olympics, and that had consequences for players in their hometowns, as the Blue Jackets were in and out of Winnipeg quickly after playing Nov. 18. That’s a small price to pay for Mateychuk, who has worn the Maple Leaf for Canada at the U16, U18 and U20 level in the past.

“It’s awesome, I’m excited for it,” he said, fondly remembering watching the 2010 and 2014 Olympics.

“To have that type of competition is good for the game and exciting for fans and the players as well.”

The chance to represent Canada on the world stage again is also a motivating factor for the 2004-born player.

“When I get that chance, I’ll be ready,” Mateychuk said.

Mateychuk’s cousin and fellow 2022 first-rounder, Owen Pickering, has appeared in four NHL games this season. He’s put together a solid run of play for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the American League, racking up a plus-7 rating in 15 games.

St Malo-born Travis Hamonic has played 14 games for Detroit so far this season. The veteran of over 900 games in the NHL moved to Winnipeg early in his life, playing his minor hockey with the Winnipeg Wild.

Brett Howden, who signed an $2.5 million per year extension with the Vegas Golden Knights last year has five points in 18 games for the team.