11th year center Matt Anderson(29) switches up SHL clubs in 2017/2018 signing for a season with Skelleftea AIK after two 18 goal campaigns for Djurgardens IF.
After a pair of big league games recording an assist with his only NHL contract team New Jersey Devils, he left North America pro hockey for the KHL.
He did decently for Spartak Moskva in his first run overseas scoring 11 goals and 9 assists, then took it up a notch splitting 2014/2015 with Medvescak Zagreb and Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk striking for 15 goals and 20 assists in 63 games.
At 34 years old he shows little signs of slowing down.
Matt Anderson(29) New Jersey Devils
Minor league feel good story of the year (so far): undrafted 6th year right wing Matt Anderson(29) gets his first recall with New Jersey Devils and plays in his NHL debut vs. Boston Bruins, a 2-1 shootout loss at 30-years old.
He skated 6:57 of ice time with no other real stats, which isn’t always a bad thing.
The 5’11” 194 lbs. forward originally signed an AHL contract with Albany Devils in 2010, his first new team since three seasons with Chicago Wolves, also under a minor league agreement.
In 2011, he scored his first big league deal, signing for one-year, two way with New Jersey.
He has a combined 351 AHL regular season and playoff games with 70 goals, 114 assists and a Calder Cup Championship ring to his credit.
He’s always been considered a team leader and plays that style of game, consistent, hard-working.
The Devils got lucky in a similar veteran call-up situations with Stephen Gionta and Steve Bernier, so this could be a formula, especially in a shortened season.
And they would know: 1995.
Matt Anderson(29) Albany Devils
Undrafted, 5th year pro Matt Anderson(29) is just starting to get on folks radar.
Last season, his first with the Devils‘ organization, was spent entirely with their AHL affiliate, Albany.
He posted career highs all around (76 games, 23 goals and 32 assists) and appeared in the All-Star game.
He re-signed for 2011/2012 and it’s very possible if New Jersey suffers like they did last season he could earn himself a look.
Or with Travis Zajac out to start the season, maybe he’ll impress enough at camp to start the season in the NHL.
Matt Anderson(29) Albany Devils
4th year, undrafted Albany Devils‘ center Matt Anderson(29) has won a Calder Cup championship in 2008 with Chicago Wolves, but as far as I can tell has been flying so far under the radar that I thought he was a rookie or a 2nd year player.
In the 2010/2011 season he definitely put up some numbers (23 goals, 33 assists) that were first on his team for the year and earned him a spot on the Eastern Conference roster at the AHL All Star game.
I’m thinking he could even potentially land him a 2-way NHL contract next season.
Matt Anderson(29) Albany Devils
3rd year forward (spent the first two with Chicago Wolves) Matt Anderson(29) is congratulated by teammates for being the hero in the Albany Devils 3-2 shootout victory vs. Worcester Sharks on 11/5 at the DCU Center.
Not only did he get the only tally of the shootout in the final round but he scored the game-tying marker with less than a minute left in regulation.