Matthew Stienburg Bio
Matthew Stienburg (born October 7, 2000) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who plays for the Colorado Eagles of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL). A right-shooting forward listed at 6 ft 1 in and 182 lb, Stienburg was selected 63rd overall by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. After completing his collegiate career at Cornell University, he began his professional career in 2023.
Early Life and Background
Matthew Stienburg was born on October 7, 2000, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. He grew up in his hometown and developed his early hockey skills within the local minor hockey system. As a youth player in Halifax, Stienburg suited up for the Halifax McDonald’s of the Nova Scotia U18 Major Hockey League, where he built the foundation for his offensive game.
From 2017 to 2019, Stienburg attended St. Andrew’s College in Aurora, Ontario, where he played scholastic hockey for the Saints. Across two strong seasons in the CAHS league, he tallied 60 goals and 68 assists for 128 points in only 93 games, an impressive scoring rate for a developing centre.
During his time at St. Andrew’s, Stienburg helped the Saints capture the league championship in back-to-back seasons. He was named team captain in his second year, 2018–19, a sign of the leadership qualities that would later define his progression through junior and collegiate hockey.
Path to Hockey
Before beginning his college career, Stienburg joined the Sioux City Musketeers of the United States Hockey League (USHL) late in the season, registering 1 point in 3 games. That brief taste of top-tier junior competition helped prepare him for the next stage of his development.
In his first year of draft eligibility, Stienburg was chosen by the Colorado Avalanche in the third round, 63rd overall, of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. The selection was notable because it joined his father, Trevor Stienburg, as a player drafted by the same franchise when it was still known as the Quebec Nordiques.
Stienburg committed to Cornell University of the ECAC Hockey conference, where he would spend four seasons developing into an NHL prospect. His progression through the NCAA ranks was steady, leading to his eventual transition to professional hockey.
Matthew Stienburg Career
Early Career at Cornell (2019–2023)
Stienburg joined Cornell University as a freshman in the 2019–20 season and slotted into a depth forward role. He contributed 5 goals and 10 points through 27 appearances and ranked first among all ECAC rookies with a plus-12 rating, demonstrating strong two-way play for his age group.
After the Ivy League cancelled the 2020–21 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Stienburg returned with a strong junior campaign in 2021–22. He led the Big Red in scoring with 13 goals and 29 points through 28 games and was named to the All-ECAC Hockey Second Team while earning an honorable mention on the All-Ivy Team.
Turning Professional with the Colorado Eagles (2023)
His senior season at Cornell in 2022–23 was limited by injuries to just 18 games, where he posted 2 goals and 7 points. Opting to end his collegiate career early, Stienburg signed an amateur try-out with the Colorado Eagles of the AHL on March 31, 2023.
He made his professional debut with the Eagles, recording 1 assist through 4 regular-season contests and matching that output during the Calder Cup playoffs. The short stint offered a glimpse of his readiness for the professional ranks.
Colorado Avalanche Contract and NHL Debut (2023–Present)
On August 18, 2023, Stienburg was signed by his draft club, the Colorado Avalanche, to a two-year entry-level contract. He was reassigned to the Colorado Eagles for the duration of the 2023–24 season, where he played a physical checking-line role and posted 5 goals and 13 points through 54 appearances.
After a strong opening to the 2024–25 season with the Eagles, Stienburg received his first recall to the injury-depleted Avalanche on October 16, 2024. He made his NHL debut that same stretch, centering the fourth line alongside Joel Kiviranta and Ivan Ivan. He recorded his first career fight against former Avalanche defender Nikita Zadorov in an eventual 5–3 defeat to the Boston Bruins.
Stienburg’s eighth NHL game brought a different kind of milestone. Following a 5–2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, he was assessed a game misconduct for charging and ejected for a late hit on defenseman Erik Černák. After a player safety meeting on November 1, 2024, he was suspended two games, and before serving that suspension he was reassigned to the Colorado Eagles due to salary cap constraints.
Driving Style and Strengths
Stienburg is recognized for his physicality, compete level, and willingness to play a checking-line role. His right-handed shot, two-way responsibility, and willingness to drop the gloves have made him a useful fourth-line centre when called up to the NHL. His development under the Avalanche system emphasizes defensive reliability and special teams contributions.
Notable Events and Milestones
Stienburg’s NHL debut in October 2024 and his first NHL fight against Nikita Zadorov stand out as signature early moments of his professional career. His selection 63rd overall in 2019, joining his father Trevor as a draftee of the same franchise, also marks a unique family milestone in Avalanche history.
Matthew Stienburg Career Wins
Matthew Stienburg’s early professional career has been defined more by development than by headline statistical achievements. His path from NCAA standout to NHL debut reflects steady progress rather than a lengthy list of trophies.
Amateur and Collegiate Highlights
Stienburg won two consecutive CAHS league championships with St. Andrew’s College in 2017–18 and 2018–19. At Cornell, he was named to the All-ECAC Hockey Second Team and earned an honorable mention on the All-Ivy Team during his breakout 2021–22 season.
Other Performances
Beyond his junior and collegiate accomplishments, Stienburg posted 1 point in 3 games during a brief late-season stint with the Sioux City Musketeers of the USHL. His professional totals include 5 goals and 13 points in 54 AHL games during the 2023–24 season with the Colorado Eagles.
Matthew Stienburg Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Hockey runs deep in the Stienburg family. Matthew’s father, Trevor Stienburg, played nine years of professional hockey, including 71 games with the NHL’s Quebec Nordiques. Trevor Stienburg is currently a professional scout with the Seattle Kraken.
The family connection to the Colorado Avalanche franchise is particularly notable, as both father and son were drafted by the same organization when it operated as the Quebec Nordiques. Matthew joined his father as a member of that draft tradition in 2019.
Personal Life
Matthew Stienburg was raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and later relocated to pursue his hockey career. Public details about his personal relationships are limited, and he is known primarily for his dedication to professional hockey.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024–25 season has been a transitional period for Stienburg, marked by his first NHL opportunities with the Colorado Avalanche. After a strong start with the Colorado Eagles, he earned his recall in October 2024 and made his NHL debut that month, providing the Avalanche with a physical fourth-line centre.
His NHL stint was cut short by a two-game suspension for charging on November 1, 2024, following a late hit on Tampa Bay’s Erik Černák. Before serving the suspension, he was reassigned to the Colorado Eagles due to salary cap considerations.
Looking ahead through 2025, Stienburg is expected to continue developing with the Colorado Eagles while remaining on call to the Avalanche. His combination of physicality, faceoff ability, and right-handed shot gives him a clear role to grow into as he works toward an extended NHL opportunity.