The PeeWee team Matt played on was the first Moorhead youth team to ever win a State Tournament.  As a Bantam, the team won the State Tournament and placed fourth in the National Bantam Tournament.  The Moorhead High School hockey team went to the State Tournament all three years Matt played, getting one third place finish and two second place finishes.  Matt was chosen to the all Tournament team for all there years.  His senior year he was named AP Player of the Year.

Matt spent the nest two years at St. Cloud State where he was the leading scorer on the Huskies his freshman and sophomore year, in spite of missing six games his sophomore year due to illness.  Matt excelled not only in hockey, but as a student as well, graduating from high school with a 3.9 and finishing his two years at St. Cloud with a similar G.P.A.

After his second season at St. Cloud Matt, who had been drafted in the second round at the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, turned professional.  Matt is currently in his fifth year with the Ducks.  He has done a lot of volunteer work in Anaheim with the Children's Hospital, an important activity for him.

Summers find Matt back at home spending all his time getting ready for the next season.  matt has two younger brothers, Mark and Joe, who are currently playing for Colorado College.  The spend their summer days doing a variety of running, lifting, skating, and games to prepare for the next season.  they are often joined by their youngest sister, Annie who is a talented high school gymnast and soccer player.  Annie is her brother's biggest fan and they are hers.

Since the time he started to play hockey, Matt's focus was to be the best he could be.  Matt's dedication, hard work, and many sacrifices have helped him accomplish his goal of playing in the NHL.  Matt's advice to young hockey players would be to "Work had and have fun!" (2002)