Matt Dumba
Dumba with the Iowa Wild in 2015
Born (1994-07-25) July 25, 1994 (age 29)
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 183 lb (83 kg; 13 st 1 lb)
Position Defence
Shoots Right
NHL team
Former teams		 Tampa Bay Lightning
Minnesota Wild
Arizona Coyotes
National team  Canada
NHL Draft 7th overall, 2012
Minnesota Wild
Playing career 2013–present

Mathew Dumba (born July 25, 1994) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League (NHL). Dumba was selected with the seventh overall pick by the Minnesota Wild in the first round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, with whom he spent his first 10 seasons. Dumba previously played junior with the Red Deer Rebels and briefly for the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League (WHL).

Early life

Dumba is of Filipino (maternal) and Romanian and German (paternal) descent.[1] He was born in Regina, Saskatchewan,[2] and learned to skate at age three.[3] His family later moved to Calgary, Alberta, where he played his minor hockey in Calgary with the Crowchild Minor Hockey Association.[4] Dumba spent the 2009–10 season with the Edge School for Athletes in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League.[5]

Playing career

Junior

The Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League (WHL) selected Dumba with their first-round selection, fourth overall, in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft from the Calgary Bronks AAA Organization.[6] He made his WHL debut in 2009–10, his 15-year-old season, appearing in six regular season games and two playoff games for the Rebels.[2] Joining the Rebels full-time in 2010–11, Dumba scored 15 goals and 26 points and was a player whom his coach said was noticeable every time he was on the ice. His performance during the season earned Dumba the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as the WHL's rookie-of-the-year.[7]

Returning to the Rebels for the 2011–12 WHL season, Dumba scored 20 goals and 57 points in 69 games.[2] He was the youngest player invited to the selection camp for the 2012 World Junior Hockey Championship, however he failed to make the team.[8] However, he continued to impress scouts and observers with his play. Don Hay was one of several WHL coaches to praise Dumba for his enthusiasm on the ice and hard-checking style: "He's a guy who can do all aspects of the game ... he's a very dynamic player with or without the puck. Yes, he can lay out a good bodycheck, but he can also score the overtime winning goal."[4]

Dumba's play in the WHL resulted in him being rated as one of the top prospects for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. NHL Central Scouting ranked him as the 11th best prospect for the draft, while International Scouting Services ranked him 5th overall.[9] The Minnesota Wild selected him in the first round, seventh overall,[10] and quickly signed him to an NHL contract.[11] Dumba was returned to the Rebels to begin the 2012–13 WHL season, in part due to a labour dispute between the NHL and its players. When the NHL's dispute was resolved, the Wild intended to give him a brief look at their training camp. Dumba impressed the team's coaching staff enough to earn a spot on the Wild's opening-night roster,[12] however, he was returned to Red Deer four games into the NHL season without having played with the Wild.[13]

Professional

Minnesota Wild (2013–2023)

Dumba earned a spot in the Wild lineup to start the 2013–14 season and made his NHL debut on October 5, 2013, against the Anaheim Ducks, becoming one of the first player of Filipino descent to play in the NHL.[14][15] He scored his first NHL goal on October 12 against Dan Ellis of the Dallas Stars.[16] He recorded only two points in 13 games by December and the Wild loaned Dumba to the Canadian junior team for the 2014 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. While Dumba was with the national team, the Rebels traded his WHL rights to the Portland Winterhawks and the Wild assigned him to Portland upon his return from the World Junior Championship.[17]

In the 2015–16 season, Dumba had a breakout year, playing every game but one with the Minnesota Wild, seeing career highs in goals, assists, points, and penalty minutes with 10 goals, 16 assists, 26 points and 38 PIMS. The Wild also played an outdoor game against the Chicago Blackhawks at TCF Bank Stadium as part of the NHL Stadium Series. Dumba got the scoring going early as he trailed the play after Ryan Carter had a breakaway, Carter had his shot saved and his rebound saved as well but Dumba poked in the third chance for his ninth goal of the season to give the Wild a 1–0 lead.[18] The Wild went on to beat the Blackhawks 6–1.[18] He played 81 out of the 82 games that season and the only game he missed was when he was named a healthy scratch by coach John Torchetti in a 3–0 loss to the San Jose Sharks.[19]

On July 28, 2016, he re-signed to a two-year, $5.1M bridge deal with the Wild.[20] After not getting off to a good start for the Wild, new head coach Bruce Boudreau opted to scratch Dumba on October 20 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The plan was foiled, however, when Marco Scandella became sick, forcing Dumba into the lineup. After that he played alongside All-Star defenseman Ryan Suter on the first defensive pairing and saw increased responsibilities and ice time. He averaged 21:48 per game alongside Suter.[21] His 2017–18 season saw Dumba set new personal bests with 14 goals, 36 assists, and 50 points. On July 21, 2018, Dumba signed a five-year, $30 million contract extension with the Wild, carrying an annual average of $6 million.[22]

On June 8, 2020, Dumba became an inaugural executive board member of the Hockey Diversity Alliance, whose goal is to address intolerance and racism in hockey.[23] Dumba was named the 2020 King Clancy Award winner by the NHL for his efforts supporting community initiatives in Minneapolis and as a member of the Hockey Diversity Alliance.[24] During the 2022–23 season, Dumba scored four goals and 14 points in 79 games and was third in ice time among Wild defencemen.[25]

Arizona Coyotes (2023–2024)

After the Wild chose to not re-sign Dumba during the 2023 off-season, Dumba signed as an unrestricted free agent to a one-year, $3.9 million contract with the Arizona Coyotes on August 7, 2023.[25]

Tampa Bay Lightning (2024–present)

On March 8, 2024, the Coyotes traded Dumba along with a 2025 seventh-round pick to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round pick.[26]

International play


Medal record
Representing  Canada
Ice hockey
World U18 Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2012 Czech Republic
IIHF World Championship
Gold medal – first place 2016 Russia

Dumba made his debut with the national team program at the 2011 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. He was named captain of the under-18 national team and led Canada to a gold medal victory.[27]

The 18-year-old Dumba participated in his second national junior team camp ahead of the 2013 World Junior Championship, but was among the final cuts and did not make the team.[28]

Dumba was loaned from the Wild to the Canadian junior team for the 2014 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.[29] He narrowly avoided a suspension after being ejected from a pre-tournament game for kneeing a Swedish opponent,[30] and recorded one assist in seven tournament games for the fourth-place Canadians.[31]

Following the 2015–16 season, Dumba made his first appearance with Canada's national men's team, playing in all ten games at the 2016 World Championships where Canada repeated as gold medallists.[21]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2009–10 Red Deer Rebels WHL 6 0 2 2 4 2 0 0 0 4
2010–11 Red Deer Rebels WHL 62 15 11 26 83 9 2 0 2 20
2011–12 Red Deer Rebels WHL 69 20 37 57 67 — — — — —
2012–13 Red Deer Rebels WHL 62 16 26 42 80 9 2 2 4 14
2012–13 Houston Aeros AHL 3 0 0 0 2 5 0 0 0 0
2013–14 Minnesota Wild NHL 13 1 1 2 2 — — — — —
2013–14 Portland Winterhawks WHL 26 8 16 24 37 21 8 10 18 33
2014–15 Minnesota Wild NHL 58 8 8 16 23 10 2 2 4 2
2014–15 Iowa Wild AHL 20 5 9 14 6 — — — — —
2015–16 Minnesota Wild NHL 81 10 16 26 38 6 0 2 2 6
2016–17 Minnesota Wild NHL 76 11 23 34 59 5 0 0 0 2
2017–18 Minnesota Wild NHL 82 14 36 50 41 5 1 1 2 4
2018–19 Minnesota Wild NHL 32 12 10 22 21 — — — — —
2019–20 Minnesota Wild NHL 69 6 18 24 41 4 0 1 1 2
2020–21 Minnesota Wild NHL 51 6 15 21 46 7 1 2 3 17
2021–22 Minnesota Wild NHL 57 7 20 27 47 6 1 0 1 2
2022–23 Minnesota Wild NHL 79 4 10 14 81 6 0 2 2 4
2023–24 Arizona Coyotes NHL 58 4 6 10 55 — — — — —
NHL totals 656 83 163 246 454 49 5 10 15 39

International

Year Team Event Result   GP G A Pts PIM
2011 Canada IH18 1st place, gold medalist(s) 5 2 1 3 2
2012 Canada U18 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 7 5 7 12 20
2014 Canada WJC 4th 7 0 1 1 12
2016 Canada WC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 10 1 1 2 2
Junior totals 19 7 9 16 34
Senior totals 10 1 1 2 2

Awards and honours

Award Year Ref
WHL
Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy 2010–11 [7]
NHL
King Clancy Memorial Trophy 2019–20 [24]

References

  1. ^ Doyle, Mike (July 14, 2014). "Passion On Ice". National Hockey League. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  2. ^ a b c "Mathew Dumba player card". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
  3. ^ Edmonds, Scott (April 13, 2012). "Red Deer Rebels' Mathew Dumba captains Canada at under-18 world championship". Global News Toronto. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
  4. ^ a b Potenteau, Doyle (Spring 2012). "Defensive Posture". Prospects Hockey: WHL2–7.
  5. ^ "Canadian Sport School Hockey League (Design, Hosting, Registration & Administration tools by esportsdeskpro.com)". www.csshl.ca. Archived from the original on July 16, 2013.
  6. ^ Flett, Cory; Watts, Jessie (eds.). "2008–09 WHL Guide". Prospects Hockey. Western Hockey League: 104. ISSN 1703-7182.
  7. ^ a b Morreale, Mike G. (October 27, 2011). "Top WHL draft prospects coming from the blue line". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
  8. ^ "7 players cut from Canada's world junior squad". CBC Sports. December 13, 2011. Retrieved January 20, 2013.[dead link]
  9. ^ Hall, Vicki (June 20, 2012). "Day of destiny". Calgary Herald. p. C1.
  10. ^ Cruickshank, Scott (June 23, 2012). "Wild night for local Dumba". Calgary Herald. p. E1.
  11. ^ "Wild sign teen Matt Dumba, their first round pick". National Hockey League. July 19, 2012. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
  12. ^ Goessling, Ben (January 17, 2013). "Minnesota Wild: Matt Dumba, 18, earns a roster spot, for now". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
  13. ^ Korac, Louie (January 27, 2013). "Wild sending Dumba back to Red Deer". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
  14. ^ DeFranks, Matthew (February 13, 2020). "Flashback: Stars prospect Jason Robertson hasn't forgotten his roots while forging his own NHL path". Dallas News. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
  15. ^ "Matt Dumba player card – notes". Arizona Coyotes. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  16. ^ "Rookies Fontaine, Dumba lead Wild past Stars, 5-1". ESPN. Associated Press. October 12, 2013. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  17. ^ Odom, Joel (January 7, 2014). "Mathew Dumba to join Portland Winterhawks". The Oregonian. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  18. ^ a b Campbell, Dan (February 21, 2016). "NHL outdoor game: Wild crush Blackhawks at TCF Bank Stadium". CBC Sports. Associated Press. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  19. ^ Halford, Mike (April 5, 2016). "Dumba healthy scratched as Wild look to clinch playoff spot". NBC Sports. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  20. ^ "Wild Agrees To Terms With Matt Dumba On A Two-Year Contract". Minnesota Wild. July 28, 2016. Retrieved July 28, 2016.[dead link]
  21. ^ a b Prewitt, Alex (November 18, 2016). "Q&A: Wild defenseman Matt Dumba talks Mighty Ducks, big minutes and Scott Stevens". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  22. ^ Blinn, Michael (July 21, 2018). "Wild Sign Defenseman Matt Dumba to Five-Year, $30 Million Contract". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  23. ^ "Hockey Diversity Alliance formed by seven current, former NHL players". National Hockey League. June 8, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  24. ^ a b "Wild's Matt Dumba named winner of 2020 King Clancy Memorial Trophy". Sportsnet. September 6, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  25. ^ a b "Dumba signs 1-year contract with Coyotes". National Hockey League. August 7, 2023. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  26. ^ "Lightning acquire D Matt Dumba and a 2025 seventh-round pick from Arizona". NHL.com. March 8, 2024. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  27. ^ Ward, Mitch (August 18, 2011). "Defenceman Dumba impressive at Hlinka Tournament, camp". TSN. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
  28. ^ Siegel, Jonas (December 14, 2012). "Dumba among eight players released from team". TSN. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
  29. ^ "Matt Dumba assigned to Canada for world juniors". CBC Sports. December 11, 2013. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  30. ^ "Canada's Matt Dumba escapes world junior ban: reports". CBC Sports. December 23, 2013. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  31. ^ "2014 – Malmo, Sweden". TSN. Retrieved January 7, 2014.

External links

Awards and achievements Preceded byRyan Nugent-Hopkins Winner of the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy 2010–11 Succeeded bySam Reinhart Preceded byZack Phillips Minnesota Wild first round draft pick 2012 Succeeded byAlex Tuch Preceded byJason Zucker King Clancy Memorial Trophy winner 2020 Succeeded byPekka Rinne
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