FORMER LEAF, FLAME MATT STAJAN NOW A HITMEN

Matt Stajan played over 1000 games in the NHL and racked up 413 total points during his time on the ice.

The Belleville, ON product is now an assistant coach with the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen and joined The Rod Pedersen Show this week between on-ice sessions for the Hitmen.

Regarding playing in 1,003 NHL games, Stajan said it’s something to be proud of.

“When you get close to that number it’s on your mind,” said Stajan.

“It’s a proud moment for sure for any player,” said Stajan. “It’s a milestone and you get a silver stick and everything that comes with it but more importantly you look back at everything you’ve been through in your career to just get to the NHL and to be there for that long.”

It wasn’t easy making it to that milestone however.

“I was fortunate to get to that number,” said Stajan. “That season I was getting scratched from games a lot and I had to work myself back into the lineup a lot just to make it there, and I was fortunate to get there. You see a lot of guys fall just short, so I am happy I got there.”

Playing 1000 games in the NHL does not come without its challenges. Both physically and mentally

“There is always someone trying to take your job at the NHL level,” said Stajan. “I played on a lot of teams that were in rebuilding years and unfortunately didn’t have a lot of playoff opportunities, so that’s another thing I had to overcome and mentally just stay with it.”

After reaching that milestone, Stajan went on to be part of the Sportsnet cast talking hockey and the Calgary Flames, but now in 2021, Stajan is returning to the ice as an assistant coach for the Calgary Hitmen.

“I did the media thing and I enjoyed it, but I wanted something a little more consistent and permanent,” said Stajan. “Coaching has always been something on my mind. The only thing holding me back was being away too much.”

Even during his final years of playing, Stajan was already thinking about coaching after he hung up the skates.

“The last few years in the League I was a fourth line centre and a veteran on the team, a leader in the room,” said Stajan. “I took it upon myself as one of my roles to help the young guys along. That was part of my job description and I never lost sight of that.”

During his 16-year career, Stajan played for both Toronto and Calgary, so coaching in Calgary is a perfect fit for the former NHL veteran. While it is a great opportunity to teach up and coming NHL players, it is also a chance for Stajan to learn a little more about himself in the process.

“For me it’s about helping these kids,” said Stajan. “It’s giving back but at the same time finding out what I’m going to do and what direction I want to go for the rest of my life.”

The Calgary Hitmen have two more preseason games before starting their regular season on Oct.1 against the Lethbridge Hurricanes. It’s hard to say how teams will turn out this year after only playing 20 games last season. But one thing is for sure, Stajan will be on the bench, providing some of the best knowledge in the business.