Lowen Frankfurt of DEL2 liked 8th year right wing Matthew Pistilli(36) for scoring a league best 32 goals in the 2016/2017, his first in the league that they quickly made sure the 28-year old, who will be 29 around the start of next season, returns.
He was 2nd overall in scoring 65 points in 52 games.
It’s interesting that he decides to stay put and not explore trying to move up on the European hockey ladder.
In his first year overseas with Esjberg Energy of Metal-ligean he had 22 goals and 40 assists with a +22 rating, then added another 16 points in 19 playoff games en route to the 2016 Danish Cup.
Matthew Pistilli (36) Esjberg Energy
Right wing Matthew Pistilli(36) would play just over the first 2 months of 2012/2013 with the South Carolina Stingrays before being traded back to Florida Everblades, where he exploded big on the score sheet.
His 25 goals and 49 assists for 74 points in 74 games between two teams set new ECHL high marks (tied for 5th overall), plus he notched 10 points in 13 Kelly Cup Playoff games.
He also managed to play in an additional 3 games on loan to Charlotte Checkers.
Going into 2013/2014, he signed an extension to stay in Florida but started with a scoring surge that got him more time with Charlotte and a 13-game run with Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
All-in-all he appeared in 34 AHL games scoring 5 goals and 10 assists, and 31 contests at the lower level for 17-23-40 totals.
Not sure why he decided the change of scenery but for 2014/2015 he inked for a year with Fort Wayne Komets and pretty much did what he’s always done in the league score a point-per-game. In 58 games he got 21 goals and 35 assists and tacked on 9 more points in 12 playoff games.
He also received more time in the higher league playing 10 contests with Norfolk Admirals getting a goal and 2 assists.
The soon-to-turn 27-year old heads into only his 7th pro season and decides to take his game over to Denmark under contract with Esbjerg Energy.
It’s very likely that he’ll be crowned scoring leader over there.
Matthew Pistilli(36) South Carolina Stingrays
Undrafted right wing Matthew Pistilli(36) had himself a nice 3-year entry level deal with Carolina Hurricanes that expired at the end of the 2012 season.
He split most of his time between minor league teams but played almost the full tilt (73 games) in the AHL last campaign scoring a career high 12 goals, 13 assists and 25 points with a less than great -12 rating.
He had 17 goals and 18 assists in 39 games on reassignment with Florida Everblades then added another 3 tallies and 7 helpers in 13 postseason contests.
Entering his 4th pro season, the 6’2″ 219 lbs., should-be power forward signed a contract to skate with South Carolina Stingrays in the ECHL.
First things first though, he scored an invite to join new affiliate Providence Bruins training camp.
No doubt, the almost 24-year old should be on the short list for a recall, if a player gets injured.