7th year right wing Matt Lorito(18) decides it’s time to venture off for some new kind of hockey, signing with Djurgardens IF for 2021/2022.
An unrestricted free agent coming off his 2-year deal with New York Islanders, he agreed to terms with San Diego Gulls to play last season.
He arrived after four super strong (47-59 in 118 ECAC games) years, including as senior captain, from Brown University Bears to Albany Devils and immediately picked up 3 goals and 9 assists in 11 AHL games on an ato.
The 5’9″ 171 lbs. forward was immediately signed to a one-year minor league deal and put up a session (18-36-54 with a +16 in 71) that caught the attention of Detroit Red Wings to award him a first NHL contract.
We’re a little unsure how he did it, but the 31-year old former 2017 Calder Cup Champion signed 2 very good major league contracts that will definitely help him enjoy his time in Sweden’s top hockey, SHL.
After getting a couple of goals and 4 assists in 14 games, he gets a new offer from the KHL to join Dinamo Riga and jumps.
In his time playing Russian style hockey he was able to connect for 3 goals and 4 assists in 17 games, but was a little unpolished -9 rating, so was released and the former R.I. heads up the road to Connecticut, signing with Hartford Wolf Pack for the remainder of the season.
His prowess to put up points in the minors is documented and he comes away with 8 goals and 10 assists in 30 games, but looks overseas again to sign a 1-year with Grizzlys Wolfsburg of DEL, where he signs late and appears in only 18 games with 2 goals and 3 assists, but gets 2 goals and 1 assist in 10 playoff games, so holds his own.
8 years is good for the now 33-year old from Oakville, ON to call it a career on.
He’s pocketed a good education and has been hired to be a pro scout for Pittsburgh Penguins starting 2023/2024.
