Matthew Stienburg Bio
Matthew Stienburg, born October 7, 2000, is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who plays for the Colorado Eagles of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL). A third-round pick of the Avalanche in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Stienburg developed through Canadian prep school, junior A, and collegiate hockey before turning professional in 2023. Known for his physicality and responsible two-way play, he has spent his early professional years anchoring a checking-line role with the Eagles while receiving his first NHL recall in the fall of 2024.
Early Life and Background
Matthew Stienburg was born on October 7, 2000, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Growing up in the coastal city of Halifax, he was introduced to the sport of ice hockey at a young age and developed his skills within the local minor hockey system. His early years on the ice were shaped by the strong hockey culture that defines Atlantic Canada, and he played his youth hockey for the Halifax McDonald’s of the Nova Scotia U18 Major Hockey League.
From 2017 to 2019, Stienburg attended St. Andrew’s College in Aurora, Ontario, where he played scholastic hockey for the Saints. Across 93 games in the CAHS league, he tallied 60 goals and 68 assists for 128 points, serving as team captain during his second season in 2018–19. He helped the Saints capture consecutive league championships during his two-year tenure, establishing himself as a reliable leader and offensive contributor before transitioning to higher levels of competition.
Hockey runs deep in the Stienburg family. Matthew’s father, Trevor Stienburg, played nine years of professional hockey, including 71 games with the NHL’s Quebec Nordiques, and later became a scout. The connection to the Quebec organization, which relocated to become the Colorado Avalanche, ultimately created a unique father-son draft connection when both were selected by the same franchise in different eras.
Path to Professional Hockey
Before beginning his collegiate career, Stienburg joined the Sioux City Musketeers of the United States Hockey League (USHL) late in the season, where he registered 1 point in 3 games. That brief taste of elite junior hockey in the United States helped him transition to the next stage of his development. In his first year of draft eligibility, the Colorado Avalanche selected him in the third round, 63rd overall, of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, joining his father Trevor in being chosen by the same franchise that once played as the Quebec Nordiques.
Stienburg committed to Cornell University of the ECAC Hockey conference and joined the Big Red program. As a freshman in 2019–20, he contributed in a depth forward role with 5 goals and 10 points through 27 appearances, ranking first among all ECAC rookies with a plus-12 rating. The following 2020–21 campaign was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ivy League’s decision not to compete, limiting his on-ice development that year.
Matthew Stienburg Career
Cornell University Years (2019–2023)
Stienburg returned to Cornell as a junior in 2021–22 and elevated his offensive contributions, leading the Big Red in scoring with 13 goals and 29 points through 28 games. His strong season was recognized with a selection to the All-ECAC Hockey Second Team and an honourable mention on the All-Ivy Team. He had emerged as one of the top forwards in the conference.
His senior season in 2022–23 was hampered by injuries, limiting him to just 18 games in which he recorded 2 goals and 7 points. Opting to conclude his collegiate career early, Stienburg signed an amateur try-out with the Colorado Eagles of the AHL on March 31, 2023, to finish the season. In his professional debut with the Eagles, he posted 1 assist through 4 regular season contests and matched that output in the Calder Cup playoffs.
Colorado Avalanche Organization (2023–Present)
On August 18, 2023, Stienburg was signed by his draft club, the Colorado Avalanche, to a two-year, entry-level contract. In his first full professional year, he was reassigned to continue his tenure with the Avalanche’s AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles, for the duration of the 2023–24 season. In a checking-line role that emphasized his physicality, Stienburg posted 5 goals and 13 points through 54 appearances with the Eagles, showing steady development as a bottom-six forward.
After a strong opening with the Eagles to begin the 2024–25 season, Stienburg received his first recall to the injury-depleted Avalanche on October 16, 2024. He made his NHL debut with Colorado, centering the fourth line alongside Joel Kiviranta and Ivan Ivan. Stienburg recorded his first career fight against former Avalanche player Nikita Zadorov, helping spark a Colorado comeback in an eventual 5–3 defeat to the Boston Bruins.
In his eighth game with the Avalanche, Stienburg was assessed a game misconduct for charging and ejected following a late hit on defenseman Erik Černák of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Following a 5–2 defeat, he faced a player safety meeting and was subsequently suspended for two games on November 1, 2024. Before serving the suspension, Stienburg was reassigned by the Avalanche to the Colorado Eagles due to salary cap constraints.
Playing Style and Strengths
Stienburg is recognized for his physicality and responsibility as a two-way centre. He thrives in a checking-line role, bringing energy, forechecking, and a willingness to engage physically along the boards. His plus-12 rating as a freshman at Cornell reflected his sound defensive awareness, and his continued development at the AHL level has emphasized penalty killing and faceoff reliability. Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing around 183 pounds, Stienburg combines size with the skating ability needed to compete at both the AHL and NHL levels.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Stienburg’s most memorable moments was his NHL debut with the Colorado Avalanche in October 2024, highlighted by his first career fight against Nikita Zadorov. He also became only the second member of the Stienburg family to be drafted by the franchise, joining his father Trevor in being selected by what was once the Quebec Nordiques. Additionally, leading Cornell in scoring during his junior season in 2021–22 served as a turning point that confirmed his offensive upside and prepared him for the professional ranks.
Matthew Stienburg Career Wins
Matthew Stienburg’s competitive résumé includes championships at the prep school level, scoring titles in collegiate hockey, and milestones in the AHL and NHL. While individual trophies have been limited, his consistent progression from Canadian minor hockey to the NHL ranks reflects a steady accumulation of team and personal accomplishments.
Cornell and Amateur Highlights
During his time with St. Andrew’s College, Stienburg helped the Saints capture two consecutive CAHS league championships and finished his prep career with 128 points in 93 games. At Cornell, he led the Big Red in scoring as a junior in 2021–22 with 13 goals and 29 points, earning All-ECAC Hockey Second Team and All-Ivy honourable mention recognition.
Other Wins and Performances
Stienburg’s first professional point came during his debut season with the Colorado Eagles in 2022–23, registering an assist in four regular season games and matching that output in the Calder Cup playoffs. He continued his development in 2023–24 with 5 goals and 13 points in 54 games, establishing himself as a reliable depth forward within the Avalanche organization.
Matthew Stienburg Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Hockey has long been a part of the Stienburg family story. Matthew’s father, Trevor Stienburg, played nine seasons of professional hockey, including 71 games with the NHL’s Quebec Nordiques, the franchise that later relocated to become the Colorado Avalanche. Trevor is currently a professional scout with the Seattle Kraken, continuing his involvement in the sport at the highest level.
The shared draft connection between father and son, both selected by the same franchise in different eras, remains one of the more unique family storylines in recent Avalanche history.
Personal Life
Born and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Matthew Stienburg maintains his Canadian roots while pursuing his professional hockey career in the Colorado Avalanche organization. He stands 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs approximately 183 pounds, attributes that suit his physical style of play. Details about his marital status, spouse, and children have not been publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Outlook
Entering 2025, Matthew Stienburg was reassigned to the Colorado Eagles of the AHL following his two-game suspension and the Avalanche’s salary cap considerations. His early-season performance with the Eagles had been strong enough to earn his first NHL recall, demonstrating that he remains in the team’s organizational plans. Continued offensive production and physical play at the AHL level will likely determine when he receives another opportunity with the Avalanche.
As the 2024–25 season progresses, Stienburg’s focus will be on refining his two-way game and contributing to the Eagles’ playoff push. His previous NHL experience, including his debut and first career fight, has provided him with valuable exposure to the speed and demands of the league. A return to the Avalanche roster could come as injuries or roster needs arise during the campaign.
Long term, Stienburg’s combination of size, skating, and physicality makes him a candidate to develop into a steady bottom-six NHL centre. His journey from Halifax minor hockey to the Avalanche organization reflects steady progression, and the 2025 season represents another opportunity to build on his early professional foundation.