Shawn Matthias is a former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. He was born on February 19, 1988, in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Matthias began his hockey career playing for the Belleville Bulls in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) during the 2005-2006 season. He was then drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the second round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.
Matthias made his NHL debut with the Red Wings during the 2007-2008 season, but he spent most of his time playing for the Grand Rapids Griffins, the Red Wings' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate. In 2010, Matthias was traded to the Florida Panthers, where he played for the next four seasons. During his time with the Panthers, Matthias established himself as a reliable forward, scoring 14 goals and 14 assists during the 2011-2012 season.
In 2014, Matthias was traded to the Vancouver Canucks, where he played for two seasons. He had a career-high 18 goals during the 2014-2015 season, and he was known for his physical play and ability to play on both the wing and center positions. In 2016, Matthias signed with the Winnipeg Jets as a free agent, where he played for two seasons before being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2018.
Matthias retired from professional hockey in 2019, after playing in 780 NHL games and scoring 87 goals and 98 assists. He was known for his work ethic, leadership, and versatility on the ice. Off the ice, Matthias was involved in various charitable organizations, including the Canucks for Kids Fund and the Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation.
Overall, Shawn Matthias had a successful career in the NHL, playing for five different teams and earning the respect of his teammates and coaches. He was a hard-working player who was willing to do whatever it took to help his team win, and he will be remembered as a dedicated and talented athlete.
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