Matt Luff Bio
Matt Luff (born May 5, 1997) is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger who is currently playing with the Hamilton Hammers of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League (NHL). Undrafted, he has played for the Los Angeles Kings, Nashville Predators, Detroit Red Wings, and the St. Louis Blues, building his career through hard work as a free agent and a steady climb across North American professional rosters.
Standing 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) tall and weighing 190 lb (86 kg), Luff shoots right and plays a power-forward style that has carried him from junior hockey in Ontario to multiple NHL organizations. His journeyman path, marked by brief stints, recalls, and reassignments, reflects a determined player who has continued to find opportunities at the top level of the sport.
Early Life and Background
Matt Luff was born on May 5, 1997, in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. Growing up in this well-known hockey community along the shores of Lake Ontario, he was surrounded by the sport from an early age. Oakville has produced a long list of professional players, and Luff developed within that competitive youth hockey environment.
His first significant steps in organized hockey came with the Oakville Rangers Midget AAA program, where he enjoyed a successful season that helped establish him as a promising prospect. Following that experience, Luff split time between the Rangers and the Oakville Blades of the Ontario Junior Hockey League during the 2013–14 season, gaining valuable exposure to higher-level junior competition.
Path to Hockey
Luff’s path to the professional ranks began in earnest when he committed to the Belleville Bulls of the Ontario Hockey League, who had selected him in the OHL Draft. On June 9, 2014, he had also signed a contract with the Oakville Blades for the 2014–15 season, but he chose instead to pursue the major-junior route with the Bulls. In his rookie season with Belleville, Luff was named a finalist for the OHL Rookie of the Year, with the award eventually going to Alex DeBrincat.
Following the 2014–15 season, the Bulls were relocated and renamed the Hamilton Bulldogs, and Luff continued his development within the organization. His production and physical maturation in the OHL made him an attractive free-agent signing, even though he went undrafted in the NHL Entry Draft. That summer, he attended the Los Angeles Kings development and training camp as a free agent, eventually inking a three-year entry-level contract with the Kings on September 23, 2016. He became the first Bulldogs alumni to sign an NHL contract, an important milestone for both the player and the relocated franchise.
Matt Luff Career
Early Career (2016–2018)
After signing his entry-level deal, Luff returned to the OHL for the 2016–17 season, where a shoulder injury and a concussion limited him to 45 games. Despite the shortened campaign, he was reassigned to the Kings’ AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign, on April 7, 2017, beginning his transition to the professional game. He split time between the OHL and AHL during this developmental stage, learning the pace and physicality required at the next level.
The 2017–18 season allowed Luff to continue refining his game with the Ontario Reign, where he posted consistent scoring totals and demonstrated the two-way responsibility expected of Kings prospects. His steady play positioned him for a longer look in Los Angeles the following fall.
Los Angeles Kings Breakthrough (2018–2021)
Luff began the 2018–19 season with the Ontario Reign after being assigned there from Kings training camp. He was recalled to the NHL on November 3, 2018, and made his NHL debut that night against the Columbus Blue Jackets, playing 9:43 in a 4–1 Kings victory. After a brief reassignment, he was recalled again on November 14, and on November 19 he recorded his first career NHL goal in a 2–0 win over the St. Louis Blues.
Just six days later, on November 25, in a 5–2 win over the Edmonton Oilers, Luff netted his fourth goal in his fourth consecutive game, becoming only the fifth Kings rookie to accomplish the feat since Jimmy Carson in 1987. The streak ended the following game against the Vancouver Canucks. After appearing in 30 games for Los Angeles and recording 10 points, he was reassigned to the Ontario Reign on February 8, 2019. Luff played five seasons within the Kings organization before leaving as a free agent following the 2020–21 campaign.
Nashville Predators and Detroit Red Wings Era (2021–2024)
On July 28, 2021, Luff signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Nashville Predators, giving him a fresh opportunity within a new organization. He spent the bulk of the 2021–22 season with the Predators’ AHL affiliate, contributing offensively while waiting for another NHL chance.
On July 13, 2022, Luff signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Detroit Red Wings. During the 2022–23 season, he recorded two goals and two assists in 19 NHL games with Detroit, while also tallying eight goals and 17 assists in 28 games for the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins. On July 1, 2023, he re-signed with the Red Wings on another one-year, two-way deal. Following two seasons within the Detroit system, Luff departed as a free agent.
St. Louis Blues and New York Islanders Era (2024–Present)
After an unsigned summer, Luff accepted a professional tryout invitation to the Florida Panthers training camp on September 11, 2024, but was released on September 30. He quickly joined the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers on a tryout basis and produced two goals and four points in six games before being released from his PTO to sign a one-year contract with the Springfield Thunderbirds, the AHL affiliate of the St. Louis Blues, on November 7, 2024.
Following a productive stretch with the Thunderbirds, Luff signed a one-year, two-way contract with the St. Louis Blues on July 1, 2025. Then, on February 24, 2026, it was announced that he had been traded to the New York Islanders in exchange for Julien Gauthier, opening a new chapter in his career.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although best known as a hockey player rather than a driver, Luff brings a power-forward mentality to the ice, using his 6 ft 2 in frame and 190 lb build to win battles along the boards and in front of the net. He is recognized for his quick release and finishing touch around the crease, complemented by responsible two-way play. Throughout his career, he has built strong relationships with coaching staffs by accepting bottom-six roles and special teams duties without complaint.
Notable Events and Milestones
Luff’s signature moment came during his four-game goal streak with the Los Angeles Kings in November 2018, when he joined a select group of franchise rookies alongside Jimmy Carson’s long-standing record. He also became the first Hamilton Bulldogs alumnus to sign an NHL contract, and later, in 2026, was part of a notable trade that sent him to the New York Islanders.
Matt Luff Career Wins
Matt Luff’s professional résumé does not include major individual trophies, but his career is marked by milestone achievements such as his first NHL goal, his rookie scoring streak with the Kings, and his historic contract with the Hamilton Bulldogs organization. His wins are measured in personal breakthroughs and consistent contributions at both the AHL and NHL levels.
NHL Highlights
In the NHL, Luff’s most memorable stretch came during the 2018–19 season with the Los Angeles Kings, when he tallied four goals in four consecutive games and finished with 10 points in 30 appearances. His subsequent NHL stops in Nashville, Detroit, and St. Louis added to his body of work, including two goals and two assists in 19 games during the 2022–23 season with the Red Wings.
AHL and Other Performances
In the AHL, Luff has produced strong offensive numbers, including eight goals and 17 assists in 28 games for the Grand Rapids Griffins in 2022–23, and a quick two goals and four points in six games with the Charlotte Checkers to open 2024–25. He has also delivered in junior hockey, where he was named an OHL Rookie of the Year finalist in 2014–15 with the Belleville Bulls.
Matt Luff Family
Family Background and Hockey Roots
Public information about Matt Luff’s immediate family remains limited. He grew up in Oakville, Ontario, where he played for the Oakville Rangers Midget AAA and Oakville Blades before committing to major-junior hockey. His roots in this established Ontario hockey community helped shape his early development.
Personal Life
Details about Luff’s personal life, including marital status and family, are not widely documented in public sources. He is a Canadian citizen and has spent much of his professional career based in cities across the United States, including Los Angeles, Nashville, Detroit, and Springfield.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked an important transitional year for Matt Luff. After beginning the campaign on a tryout with the Charlotte Checkers, he signed with the Springfield Thunderbirds on November 7, 2024, and produced consistent offense as the AHL affiliate of the St. Louis Blues. His early-season form with Springfield helped him earn a one-year, two-way contract with the Blues on July 1, 2025, returning him to the NHL picture.
After joining St. Louis, Luff provided depth scoring and veteran presence on the wing, working primarily in a bottom-six role while contributing on the penalty kill. His reliability and professional approach earned him consistent playing time down the middle of the campaign. On February 24, 2026, he was traded to the New York Islanders in exchange for Julien Gauthier, a move that gave him another opportunity to contribute at the NHL level with a new organization.
Looking ahead, Luff’s outlook centers on establishing a stable NHL home with the Islanders while continuing to provide two-way play and offensive touch when called upon. His journeyman background suggests he will remain a dependable depth option as he works to extend his career at the top level.
