Matthew Lombardi is a former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. He was born on March 18, 1982, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and began his hockey career playing for the Victoriaville Tigres in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).
Lombardi was drafted by the Calgary Flames in the third round of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut with the Flames during the 2003-2004 season and quickly established himself as a speedy and skilled center. Lombardi played for the Flames for four seasons, during which he recorded 46 goals and 84 assists in 246 games.
In 2008, Lombardi was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes, where he played for two seasons. He continued to be a productive player, recording 34 goals and 50 assists in 149 games with the Coyotes. Lombardi's time in Phoenix was cut short by a serious injury, however. In March 2010, he suffered a concussion after being hit from behind by Anaheim Ducks defenseman James Wisniewski. Lombardi missed the remainder of the season and struggled with post-concussion symptoms for several months.
Lombardi was traded to the Nashville Predators in the summer of 2010. He played for the Predators for one season, during which he recorded 19 goals and 34 assists in 78 games. Lombardi's time in Nashville was also marred by injury, as he suffered a broken neck in March 2011 after being hit by Buffalo Sabres defenseman Jordan Leopold. Lombardi missed the remainder of the season and the entire 2011-2012 season while recovering from the injury.
Lombardi returned to the NHL in 2012, signing a one-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He played in 62 games for the Leafs, recording eight goals and 10 assists. Lombardi became a free agent after the season and signed with Geneve-Servette HC of the Swiss National League A.
Lombardi played two seasons in Switzerland before returning to North America to play for the Anaheim Ducks during the 2015-2016 season. He played in 28 games for the Ducks, recording five goals and six assists. Lombardi retired from professional hockey in 2016.
Throughout his NHL career, Lombardi was known for his speed and skill as a center. He was a reliable two-way player who could contribute offensively and defensively. Lombardi's career was unfortunately hampered by injuries, particularly concussions and a broken neck. Despite these setbacks, he was able to play for over a decade in the NHL and was a respected player among his peers.
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