On Wednesday, Matthew Stienburg got the news he’s been dreaming of for his whole hockey life. The 24-year-old was recalled from the Colorado Eagles in the AHL to make his NHL debut against the Boston Bruins.
Every young hockey player dreams of eventually making it to the NHL, and for Stienburg, it was even more special making his debut against the Bruins, since he’s grown up idolizing Brad Marchand.
”Obviously, Nate (MacKinnon), Sid (Sidney Crosby) and Brad Marchand over on the other team. So I think it’s pretty cool that the first game is against him,” Stienburg said after morning skate, per Colorado Hockey Now.
”Another Nova Scotia guy, somebody that I’ve looked up to a lot since I was little — his work ethic and everything, the way he plays the game. A lot of people aren’t a fan but I’ve always enjoyed it.”
READ MORE: Mikko Rantanen furious at Brad Marchand
Stienburg said he was nervous, but also ’super excited,’ fulfilling a ’lifetime dream.’ And Stienburg made sure to make a mark on the game. With the Avalanche being down 4-1 in the game, halfway through the second period, Stienburg got into his first NHL fight, dropping the gloves with Bruins’ Nikita Zadorov.
Zadorov is no rookie when it comes to tilts, but Stienburg held his ground pretty well before eventually getting taken down.
READ MORE: Don Cherry absolutely rips the Maple Leafs over captaincy decision
Stienburg talked before the game about how his family would be in the stands, and during the fight, the cameras captured Stienburg’s father Trevor, who, with a smile, filmed the whole thing. It was just great to see a proud father seeing his son making his NHL debut—and also dropping the gloves!
”That’s amazing! Dad’s reaction is everything,” one user said on social media.
