Born: July 25, 1994
Position: Defence
Shoots: Right
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 172 lbs.
Hometown: Calgary, Alta.
2009-2010 team: Calgary Edge
Draft eligible: 2012
Player info: Matthew Dumba is a strong and swift skater with a big shot and a penchant for delivering open-ice hits with his six-foot, 172-pound frame.
“Matty is the same as ‘Hoppy’, he competes all the time,” said head coach Jesse Wallin. “And for a defenceman he has very good feet. He has great acceleration. He’s a powerful skater, very strong on his feet and very mobile.
“His movement from side to side and his ability to stop and go and change directions is at an elite level. The way he shoots and carries the puck and his ability to play a physical game are also special. He’s a pretty complete package on the back end.”
Dumba has yet to prove himself at the major junior level, but his performance during the preseason — when he was consistently among the top three players on the ice — was a good indicator of what is to come. Rookie rearguards are prone to errors and nerves, but Dumba has the skills to overcome both.
“No question, we expect him to be a big part of things,” said Wallin. “He’s 16, but we don’t look at him necessarily as a 16-year-old player. It’s going to be a step for him and there’s going to be a learning curve for him, but much like ‘Hoppy’ last year, with the type of player that he is and the ability he has, he’s going to be able to play in situations that most 16-year-olds are capable of doing.
“As he adjusts to the league and gains some experience and confidence, I think his game is going to progress very rapidly and certainly his maturity is going to allow him to excel on the ice. Expectations are high for him, but we have no doubt that he’s capable of handling that.”