Matias Maccelli Bio
Matias Maccelli is a Finnish professional ice hockey player who plays as a winger for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on October 14, 2000, in Turku, Finland, Maccelli was drafted 98th overall by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft and has built a reputation as a skilled playmaker with strong vision and offensive instincts. After developing in Finland and the United States Hockey League, he rose through the Coyotes’ system, earned a place on the NHL’s All-Rookie Team in 2022–23, and later played for the Utah Hockey Club before being traded to Toronto.
Early Life and Background
Matias Maccelli was born in Turku, Finland, to an American-born mother and a Finnish father. His mother had moved to Finland when she was seven years old, giving Maccelli a dual cultural upbringing. He is also of Italian descent through his maternal great-grandfather, who was from Italy, adding a third layer to his family heritage.
Growing up in Turku, Maccelli was introduced to hockey at a young age, following a path that many Finnish children experience in a country where the sport is deeply embedded in the culture. He began his junior career with HC TPS of the Finnish Liiga, the top professional league in Finland, where he developed the foundational skills that would later define his game.
Path to Hockey
In 2017, Maccelli moved to North America to join the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the United States Hockey League (USHL), a major development league for young players aiming at the NHL. In 98 games with Dubuque, he recorded 39 goals and 54 assists for 93 points, showcasing his offensive talent. In his second season, his strong play earned him a place on the All-USHL Second Team.
Following his time in the USHL, Maccelli returned to Finland in 2019 to play for Ilves of the Liiga, marking the next step in his professional development. His performance in the Liiga, combined with his success in the USHL, helped position him as a legitimate NHL prospect heading into the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.
Matias Maccelli Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Maccelli was selected 98th overall in the fourth round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft by the Arizona Coyotes. In his first season with Ilves during 2019–20, he recorded 13 goals and 17 assists for 30 points in 42 games, earning the Jarmo Wasama Memorial Trophy as the Liiga’s rookie of the year. On April 29, 2020, while still playing for Ilves, he signed a three-year entry-level contract with Arizona.
An open-ended agreement was reached between Ilves and the Coyotes that allowed Maccelli to remain in Finland for the 2020–21 season, where he continued to develop his game. His time with Ilves helped him refine his offensive skills and prepared him for the transition to professional hockey in North America.
AHL and NHL Debut (2021–2022)
For the 2021–22 season, Maccelli returned to North America and joined the Tucson Roadrunners, Arizona’s American Hockey League affiliate. He posted an impressive 14 goals and 43 assists for 57 points in 47 games, demonstrating the playmaking ability that had marked his junior career. In March 2022, he was recalled by Arizona to replace Andrew Ladd, who had been placed on injured reserve.
Maccelli made his NHL debut on March 3, 2022, in a 2–1 win over the Colorado Avalanche. Just three days later, on March 6, he scored his first NHL goal against the Ottawa Senators in only his second game, signaling the start of his top-level career.
Coyotes Breakthrough (2022–2023)
Maccelli broke out in the 2022–23 season, winning a spot on the Coyotes’ roster out of training camp. In his first 30 NHL games, he recorded three goals and 19 assists for 22 points, establishing himself as a reliable contributor. A lower-body injury caused him to miss time, but he returned strongly with seven goals and 16 assists for 23 points in his next 30 games.
He finished the 2022–23 season with 11 goals and 38 assists for 49 points in 64 games and was named to the NHL’s All-Rookie Team, playing a major role on the Coyotes’ power play. On July 16, 2023, Maccelli signed a three-year contract with Arizona, cementing his place in the organization’s plans.
Utah Hockey Club Era (2024–2025)
Shortly after the 2023–24 season ended, the Coyotes’ franchise was suspended and its assets were transferred to the expansion Utah Hockey Club, making Maccelli a member of the new team. He continued his NHL career in Utah, contributing as a top-six forward and power-play specialist during the franchise’s inaugural season.
Following the 2024–25 season, Utah traded Maccelli to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a conditional third-round draft pick, opening a new chapter in his career with one of the NHL’s most storied franchises.
Toronto Maple Leafs Era (2025–Present)
Matias Maccelli joined the Toronto Maple Leafs after being acquired from Utah, bringing his playmaking abilities to a contending team in the NHL. Standing 180 cm tall and weighing 75 kg, he adds skill and offensive creativity to the Maple Leafs’ forward group. His transition to Toronto represents a significant opportunity to contribute to a team with playoff aspirations.
Driving Style and Strengths
Maccelli is recognized primarily as a playmaking winger with strong vision, passing accuracy, and the ability to quarterback a power play. His offensive instincts allow him to create scoring chances for teammates, and his development in the Liiga and AHL helped him adjust to the pace and physicality of NHL hockey. His consistency as a setup man has been a defining feature of his professional career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Maccelli’s most notable achievements are his NHL debut win over the Colorado Avalanche, his first NHL goal against the Ottawa Senators, and his selection to the NHL’s All-Rookie Team in 2022–23. Internationally, he represented Finland at the 2017 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and the 2020 World Junior Championships, where he recorded five points in seven games. His transition from a fourth-round draft pick to an NHL regular also stands as a notable milestone in his career trajectory.
Matias Maccelli Career Wins
Matias Maccelli’s professional career has been defined by consistent offensive contributions and individual recognition rather than championship victories. His most prominent individual achievement was being named to the NHL’s All-Rookie Team in 2022–23, following a season in which he recorded 49 points with the Arizona Coyotes. He also earned the Jarmo Wasama Memorial Trophy as the Liiga’s rookie of the year in 2019–20 and was named to the All-USHL Second Team during his time with the Dubuque Fighting Saints.
NHL Highlights
In the NHL, Maccelli’s breakthrough came during the 2022–23 season with the Coyotes, when he posted 11 goals and 38 assists for 49 points in 64 games. He made his NHL debut on March 3, 2022, in a 2–1 win over the Colorado Avalanche and scored his first NHL goal three days later against the Ottawa Senators. His selection to the All-Rookie Team highlighted his immediate impact at the top level.
Other Wins & Performances
In the AHL with the Tucson Roadrunners in 2021–22, Maccelli recorded 14 goals and 43 assists for 57 points in 47 games, establishing himself as one of the top playmakers in the league. In the Liiga with Ilves during 2019–20, he recorded 30 points in 42 games and won the Jarmo Wasama Memorial Trophy as the league’s top rookie. In the USHL with Dubuque, he recorded 93 points in 98 games and earned All-USHL Second Team honors.
Matias Maccelli Family
Family Background and Heritage
Matias Maccelli was born in Turku, Finland, to an American-born mother and a Finnish father. His mother moved to Finland when she was seven years old, blending American and Finnish influences in the household. He is also of Italian descent through his maternal great-grandfather, who was originally from Italy, giving Maccelli a multicultural family background.
Personal Life
Details about Matias Maccelli’s personal life, including his marital status and family beyond his parents, are not widely publicized. He has focused primarily on his professional hockey career since being drafted in 2019.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks a significant transition for Matias Maccelli, who was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs following the 2024–25 campaign with the Utah Hockey Club. His acquisition by Toronto, in exchange for a conditional third-round draft pick, reflects the Maple Leafs’ interest in adding a proven playmaker to their forward group. Maccelli brings a track record of strong assist totals and power-play production from his time with the Coyotes and Utah.
Entering the new season with the Maple Leafs, Maccelli is expected to contribute as a top-six winger and a key piece of the team’s offensive scheme. His ability to create scoring chances and quarterback a power play aligns with the needs of a contending team in the NHL. The 2025 season will be an important opportunity for him to establish himself within a new organization and continue his development as an established NHL player.