Matthew Poitras Bio
Matthew Poitras is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who plays for the Providence Bruins in the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighing 189 pounds, Poitras shoots right-handed and is widely regarded as a skilled two-way forward with strong offensive instincts. Selected 54th overall by the Boston Bruins in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, he has already shown flashes of top-six potential despite battling injuries early in his professional career.
Born in Ajax, Ontario, Canada, on March 10, 2004, Poitras developed through the Ontario Hockey League with the Guelph Storm before turning pro. He signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Boston Bruins in May 2023 and has since split time between the NHL and AHL, building a reputation as a hard-working, intelligent centre.
Early Life and Background
Matthew Poitras was born on March 10, 2004, in Ajax, Ontario, Canada, to parents Phil and Tricia Poitras. He is the second of three children in a deeply athletic family. His older brother, Adam, is a lacrosse player who was selected second overall by the Las Vegas Desert Dogs in the 2023 National Lacrosse League Entry Draft and later played for the Maryland Whipsnakes of the Premier Lacrosse League. His younger sister, Abby, also plays hockey at Mercyhurst University.
Growing up in Ajax, a community in the Greater Toronto Area with a strong hockey tradition, Poitras was introduced to the sport at a young age. He progressed through local minor hockey programs and quickly established himself as a skilled forward with excellent hockey sense and playmaking ability. His family’s athletic background helped shape his competitive drive and work ethic.
Path to Hockey
Poitras entered the major-junior pathway when the Guelph Storm selected him 12th overall in the 2020 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Priority Selection. His first season with the Storm was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which delayed his introduction to the OHL but did not slow his development trajectory. He continued to train and compete in available development settings during the pandemic pause.
When OHL play resumed, Poitras emerged as one of the league’s most dynamic offensive players. In the 2022–23 season, he finished tied for fifth in the OHL with 95 total points, a breakthrough campaign that caught the attention of NHL scouts. He was recognized as the OHL Player of the Week on November 21, 2022, highlighting his growing reputation. That same spring, the Boston Bruins selected him 54th overall in the second round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, validating his progression as one of Canada’s top young centres.
Matthew Poitras Career
Early Career (2023–2024)
On April 14, 2023, the Providence Bruins announced that they had signed Poitras to an amateur tryout contract for the remainder of the 2022–23 season, though he did not appear in any games. On May 5, 2023, the Boston Bruins signed him to a three-year, entry-level contract, formally launching his professional career.
Poitras impressed during his first NHL preseason and earned a roster spot with the Bruins as a 19-year-old. He recorded his first NHL point in his debut game, assisting on a goal by Trent Frederic, and scored his first two NHL goals on October 22, 2023, in a 3–1 win over the Anaheim Ducks. On October 31, 2023, the Bruins confirmed that Poitras would remain on the NHL roster for the season, burning the first year of his entry-level deal. He later represented Canada at the 2024 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, registering two goals and two assists in five games.
Boston Bruins Debut (2023–2024)
After returning from the World Juniors on January 6, 2024, Poitras looked poised to build on his strong rookie start. Just three games later, however, he exited a contest against the Arizona Coyotes with a shoulder injury on January 9, 2024. He returned briefly on January 20, playing only three more games before the Bruins announced on February 7 that he had undergone shoulder surgery, ending his season.
Despite the injury-shortened campaign, Poitras finished his rookie year with five goals and 15 points in 33 NHL games, an encouraging production rate for a teenager adjusting to the league’s pace and physicality.
Providence Bruins Era (2024–2025)
Poitras made the Bruins’ opening night roster for the 2024–25 season but was scratched due to a lingering injury. After appearing in 14 of Boston’s first 16 games, he was assigned to the Providence Bruins on November 11, 2024, marking his AHL debut. He thrived with Providence, posting eight goals and 12 assists in 23 games between November 15, 2024, and January 11, 2025, including a streak in early December where he scored in seven straight games.
Following injuries within Boston’s NHL lineup, Poitras was recalled on January 14, 2025. He registered an assist in his first game back but struggled to produce offensively and was returned to Providence on March 10, 2025, without scoring a goal during his NHL stint. He finished the AHL season tied for second on Providence in goals with 17, and added two goals in a decisive Game 3 against the Springfield Thunderbirds in the opening round of the 2025 Calder Cup playoffs, though the P-Bruins were eliminated by the Charlotte Checkers in the next round.
Providence Bruins Era (2025–2026)
Poitras began the 2025–26 season with the Providence Bruins, where he continued his strong offensive play and earned a late-January NHL call-up due to injuries. He appeared in three games with Boston, including the 2026 NHL Stadium Series in which he scored a goal, before being returned to the AHL.
Poitras closed the regular season with 13 goals and 31 assists for 44 points, tied for fourth on Providence. The P-Bruins entered the Calder Cup playoffs as the league’s top seed but were upset by the Springfield Thunderbirds in four games, with Poitras contributing a goal and three assists in the series.
Driving Style and Strengths
Poitras is recognized for his high hockey IQ, smooth skating, and creativity as a playmaker. He excels in tight spaces, distributing the puck effectively and creating scoring chances through his vision and patience. While not the largest centre, he competes hard along the boards and in the faceoff circle, and his offensive instincts have translated well at both the OHL and AHL levels.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Poitras’ young career are his first NHL goals against Anaheim on October 22, 2023, his selection as OHL Player of the Week in November 2022, and his scoring appearance at the 2026 NHL Stadium Series. He also represented Canada at the 2024 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, adding to his list of international experiences.
Matthew Poitras Career Wins
Matthew Poitras’ early professional résumé includes a 95-point OHL season with the Guelph Storm, a five-goal, 15-point rookie NHL campaign with the Boston Bruins in 2023–24, and a 17-goal AHL season with the Providence Bruins in 2024–25. He has also posted a 44-point AHL season in 2025–26, establishing himself as a reliable offensive contributor at both the junior and professional levels.
OHL Highlights
During his time with the Guelph Storm, Poitras developed into one of the Ontario Hockey League’s premier offensive players. In 2022–23, he tied for fifth in league scoring with 95 points, a performance that cemented his status as a top NHL prospect. His OHL Player of the Week recognition on November 21, 2022, was a highlight of that breakout campaign.
Other Wins and Performances
At the AHL level, Poitras has been a consistent point producer for the Providence Bruins, including a seven-game goal-scoring streak in December 2024 and a 44-point regular season in 2025–26. He also contributed two goals in a key Calder Cup playoff win over Springfield in 2025, demonstrating his ability to deliver in high-leverage moments.
Matthew Poitras Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Poitras comes from an athletic family rooted in Ontario. His parents, Phil and Tricia Poitras, raised three children, all of whom have pursued competitive sports at high levels. His older brother, Adam, plays professional lacrosse, while his younger sister, Abby, plays collegiate hockey at Mercyhurst University, creating a household that has clearly supported athletic ambition.
Personal Life
Matthew Poitras remains focused on his hockey career and continues to develop within the Boston Bruins organization. As a young professional in his early twenties, he is regarded as one of the more promising Canadian forward prospects in the Bruins’ system, with his family providing ongoing support as he progresses toward a full-time NHL role.
2025 Season Performance
Matthew Poitras’ 2025 calendar was defined by his transition between the AHL and NHL. He started the 2024–25 season with Boston before being assigned to Providence in November 2024, where his offensive production surged. A seven-game goal-scoring streak in December highlighted his impact at the AHL level and helped earn him a January 2025 recall to the Bruins.
Although he recorded an assist in his first game back, Poitras was returned to Providence in March 2025 without finding the back of the net at the NHL level. He finished the AHL season tied for second on Providence with 17 goals and contributed key playoff goals against Springfield before the P-Bruins’ elimination by Charlotte.
Looking ahead, Poitras is expected to remain a key piece of the Boston Bruins’ prospect pipeline, with continued opportunity to push for a full-time NHL role as he matures physically and refines his two-way game. His blend of playmaking, skating, and hockey sense keeps him firmly in the organization’s long-term plans.
