by Nicole Del Villano | AHL On The Beat
When Stefan Matteau re-signed with the Cleveland Monsters in July, he knew it was extra than simply a chance to increase his profession into its thirteenth season. For Matteau and his younger household, it grew to become an opportunity to ascertain a house as they launched into a brand new section of life.
No stranger to the Northeast Ohio group after being with the Monsters for components of two seasons previous to 2024-25, the prospect to have the ability to keep within the metropolis was a giant attraction for the Matteaus.
“When the chance introduced itself to return again, we jumped on it immediately. All the things adjustments when you may have kids and also you begin in search of some stability,” mentioned Matteau. “For us, [the appeal] is the friendliness of the individuals within the metropolis and the encircling areas. [It feels like] easy dwelling and we’ve got simply discovered a little bit house away from house right here.”
Taking over residence in Strongsville, by the staff’s observe facility, the Matteau household built-in into the group earlier than the season even started. Trying to maintain their children James and Ella occupied, the household of 4 explored each park and nook of the suburb south of Cleveland they referred to as house. After they do get breaks from the household schedule, Matteau and his spouse Katherine take pleasure in discovering time to enterprise downtown Cleveland collectively.
Hockey tends to take up many of the household’s time, however now it’s for a couple of athlete within the household. 4-year-old James joined the Strongsville mites youth hockey staff over the summer time introducing Stefan to his “hockey dad period.”
“Watching James play hockey may be very particular and it form of snuck up on me. Time goes by quick,” mentioned Matteau. “It wasn’t way back I used to be within the locker room with my dad (former NHL participant Stephane Matteau) and he was coming to my video games. My mother would drive me to early practices on the weekend… Now it has come full circle, and I get to do it.”
Whereas early mornings and sitting within the stands could also be a brand new growth for Stefan, being across the hockey rink collectively is like second nature to the Matteau boys. All through the 2023-24 season, Stefan and James could possibly be discovered across the Monsters locker room, watching video games and connecting with the staff.
“I’ve been on groups the place there have been a variety of children, however final 12 months I used to be the one man, so James had the entire consideration when he got here in,” mentioned Matteau. “The fellows achieve this nice. Sadly I used to be damage for some time, so after I was not skating it was simple for him to return in and for the blokes to attach with him.
The gamers related a lot with James and the power he introduced, that he was named Dawg of the Sport after the staff beat the Toronto Marlies on Jan. 24. The Dawg of the Sport was a convention began final season by Monsters head coach Trent Vogelhuber, the place the participant of the sport will get to don a canine masks within the locker room after a victory as a nod to the Cleveland Browns.
This gesture gave followers solely a small glimpse into the environment the Monsters locker room had final season. That environment is one thing returning gamers need to replicate this 12 months, particularly for Matteau after receiving the title of captain.
“I’m trying to convey that camaraderie and brotherhood that we created. A whole lot of guys are again, however it’s a youthful crew,” mentioned Matteau. “I feel [that feeling] has been what’s established within the room from Trent and the employees. All the brand new guys are simply hopping on board to an important surroundings and a brotherhood.”
Main the staff alongside Matteau are alternate captains – and acquainted faces within the Cleveland group – Cole Clayton, Trey Repair-Wolansky and Owen Sillinger. Matteau was part of the Monsters staff throughout Repair-Wolansky’s rookie 12 months, one other full-circle second as they now serve on management collectively. The 4 captains discover themselves appearing as an easy-going group working collectively figuring out scheduling, staff occasions and serving to construct one other brotherhood.
For Matteau’s first time holding the title of captain, an important piece will at all times staying true to himself and merging his new life on and off the ice.
“I’m simply trying to lead by instance,” he mentioned. “I feel I’m the captain as a result of I’ve at all times been myself, and I simply wish to proceed to convey the group collectively. [My family] has a house right here and an area to host the staff and their households, so I’m simply trying to be a very good man.”
