March 3, 2010
Robert J. Meyer | USHL Media Services
Sioux Falls Stampede forward Matt Lindblad. (USHL Images)
USHL.com presents the next installment in a series of features which bring the fans closer to the game and give an inside look at the nation's top junior hockey league. "Get to Know" takes you one-on-one with USHL players, who are the best and brightest hockey talent and the future of American hockey.
Matt Lindblad has tallied 50 points (18g, 32a) in 44 games which ranks second in scoring for the Sioux Falls Stampede this season. He leads the team with nine power play goals and three game-winners. The 19-year-old native of Winnetka, Illinois was selected to participate in the 2010 USHL All-Star Game. It is his second USHL season after collecting 25 points (5g, 20a) in 51 games for the Chicago Steel in 2008-09. He will play hockey at Dartmouth College next fall.
Lindblad recently took a few moments to share a little about himself and let you "Get to Know" the forward.
Nicknames: Most people know me by "Chewy", "Lindy", "Power", or Matthew "has so much muscle" Lindblad.
Siblings: I have an older brother, Brewster, that's 21. A little brother, Gunnar, that's 12, and a little sister, Emily, that's 10. I guess I got the so called "normal" name in the family aside from my sister.
First hockey memory: I was probably two or three-years-old when I first strapped on the skates, so I'd be lying if I told you I remember my first hockey memory.
Favorite movie: Happy Gilmore
Last book read: You mean first book read?
Favorite TV show: Entourage
Leisure activities: Aside from hockey, there really isn't much else going on in my life. I guess in my free time, just hanging with the boys, playing Call of Duty (video game).
Favorite USHL arena: Our barn (Sioux Falls Arena) is pretty cool except it apparently empties when we are in shootouts. Aside from our rink though, I think Des Moines (Buccaneer Arena) is fairly underrated and one of my favorite places to play.
Funniest hockey memory: In practice this year I pulled off a "Kenny Woo spin-o-rama" and split both Conor Allen and Chad Ruhwedel as they collided with one another, and completely undressed Clay Witt with an "Okie doke cheddar" (a move we work on in practice). The looks on their faces were priceless. If only you could have seen it.
Worst injury: I broke my jaw when I was 12-years-old
Favorite NHL team: Chicago Blackhawks
Favorite sport outside of hockey: Football
Favorite breakfast cereal: CoCo Puffs
Favorite ice cream flavor: Chocolate
Closest hockey friends: Josh Balch (Yale) and Rob Linsmayer (Holy Cross) who were my teammates with the Chicago Steel last season, and pretty much every current Stampede player with the exception of Zach Kamrass (laughs).
Favorite website: USHL.com…obviously.
Game day superstitions: I don't necessarily have any superstitions for home or away games but my roommate Mike Voran does. I don't know what it's like after home games, but on "roadies" he tends to lock himself in the bathroom for hours and talk to all his friends back home.
Favorite song: "Ridin' Solo" by Jason DeRulo
First job: Golf caddy.
Childhood heroes: Madel Abbott, my grandmother.
Strangest game: Last year, when I was with the Steel we played Green Bay at home. We were up 6-3 with 10 minutes to go before a line brawl set us down five-on-three for the rest of the game. They ended up beating us 7-6.
Toughest competitor: Sam Coatta (Stampede teammate)
Anything else: Don't test Mike Voran's speed.
USHL stats - Matt Lindblad
Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the USHL celebrates its eighth season as the nation's only Tier 1 junior hockey league in 2009-10. With over 200 players already committed to NCAA Division I schools and 13 NHL Entry Draft picks currently on League rosters, the USHL is the nation's foremost producer of junior hockey talent. For more information, visit us on the web at www.USHL.com.
It’s not just hockey. It’s the USHL.
