Matt Koalska
# Matt Koalska

Matthew James Koalska (born May 16, 1980) is an American former professional ice hockey center. He was drafted in the fifth round, 154th overall, by the Nashville Predators in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. He played 3 games in the National Hockey League with the New York Islanders during the 2005–06 season. He retired in 2007 due to heart issues.

## Playing career

Koalska played his college hockey at the University of Minnesota from 2000–2004 winning two National Championships.

Koalska made his professional debut with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League in the 2004–05 season. He appeared in three NHL games with the New York Islanders in the 2005–06 season, going scoreless. On January 5, 2007, the Islanders traded Koalska to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for defenceman Tomas Malec. Koalska finished the season with the Senators' AHL affiliate, the Binghamton Senators before signing in the off-season with HC Bolazno in the Italian Elite League. However, Koalska did not play with Bolazno, having to retire due to a heart condition. He returned to University of Minnesota to complete his degree.

## Career statistics

### Regular season and playoffs

| | | | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| 1997–98 | Hill–Murray School | HS-MN | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1998–99 | Hill–Murray School | HS-MN | 26 | 20 | 50 | 70 | 18 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1999–00 | Twin City Vulcans | USHL | 57 | 24 | 34 | 58 | 19 | 13 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 4 |
| 2000–01 | University of Minnesota | WCHA | 42 | 10 | 14 | 24 | 36 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2001–02 | University of Minnesota | WCHA | 44 | 10 | 23 | 33 | 34 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2002–03 | University of Minnesota | WCHA | 41 | 9 | 31 | 40 | 26 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2003–04 | University of Minnesota | WCHA | 44 | 13 | 26 | 39 | 44 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2004–05 | Bridgeport Sound Tigers | AHL | 60 | 7 | 8 | 15 | 22 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2005–06 | Bridgeport Sound Tigers | AHL | 75 | 19 | 30 | 49 | 82 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| 2005–06 | New York Islanders | NHL | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2006–07 | Bridgeport Sound Tigers | AHL | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2006–07 | Hershey Bears | AHL | 11 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2006–07 | Binghamton Senators | AHL | 37 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 22 | — | — | — | — | — |
| AHL totals | AHL totals | AHL totals | 186 | 34 | 46 | 80 | 130 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| NHL totals | NHL totals | NHL totals | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
