Mattinen named U SPORTS Defenceman of the Year, All-Canadian

Nicolas Mattinen earned the national award as U SPORTS Defenceman of the Year and was named a First Team All-Canadian for 2021-22. 

Both awards made Gee-Gees history as the human kinetics student from Ottawa is the first to win Defenceman of the Year award at the national level and he is the first Gee-Gee defenceman since 1995 and only the third blueliner in team history to be named to the All-Canadian Team.

The recognition comes following Mattinen's outstanding play in the OUA Far East regular season which included six goals, seven assists, and just fourteen penalty minutes in 18 games played.

A two-time Ontario Hockey League champion and 2016 Memorial Cup winner with the London Knights, Mattinen played an average of 24 minutes per game for the Gee-Gees and recorded two game-winning goals. He also helped anchor the team's penalty kill that ranked fifth overall in the conference at 83.9%.

Mattinen is wrapping up his career in Garnet and Grey following this season. He played his first AHL game on March 23, recording an assist with the Rocket de Laval. Mattinen was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the sixth round (179th overall) of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.  

Gee-Gees Men's Hockey All-Canadians :

Nicolas Mattinen – Defence – 2021-22

Jean-François Rivard – Goaltender – 1995-96

Martin Roy – Defence – 1994-95

Joey St-Aubin – Forward – 1993-94

Phil Comtois – Goaltender – 1992-93

Jocelyn Bolduc – Forward – 1986-87

Gaetan Pelissier – Defence – 1985-86

Rolly Hedges – Forward – 1980-81