Matthew Villalta Bio
Matthew Villalta (born June 3, 1999) is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Tucson Roadrunners in the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect to the Utah Mammoth of the National Hockey League (NHL). Drafted 72nd overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, he has developed into one of the AHL’s top goaltenders and made his NHL debut with the Arizona Coyotes in February 2024. Standing at 6 feet 3 inches, Villalta has built a reputation as a durable and consistent presence between the pipes throughout his professional career.
Early Life and Background
Villalta was born on June 3, 1999, in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. He grew up in the Kingston area where he began his hockey journey with the Greater Kingston Jr. Frontenacs organization. He played for the club’s U16 team during the 2014–15 season and advanced to their U18 squad in 2015–16. At just 15 years old in 2015, Villalta achieved a notable distinction when he became the only player from Greater Kingston to receive an invitation to the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) combine that year.
Despite the OHL combine invitation, Villalta was not selected in the OHL Draft. Rather than abandoning his pursuit of a professional hockey career, he signed with the Westport Rideaus at the junior-B level, using the experience as a stepping stone toward his ultimate goals.
Path to Professional Hockey
Villalta’s persistence paid off when he earned an opportunity to attend a tryout with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. His impressive performance at the tryout earned him a spot on the OHL roster, and he began playing for the Greyhounds starting in 2016. This marked the beginning of his ascent through the Canadian junior hockey ranks that would ultimately lead to his professional career and NHL draft selection.
Matthew Villalta Career
Ontario Hockey League Years (2016–2019)
Villalta made an immediate impact upon joining the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. During the 2016–17 season, he appeared in 33 games with 28 starts, posting a remarkable 25–3–0–0 record. He recorded a .918 save percentage and a team record 2.41 goals against average (GAA), earning him OHL rookie of the month honors. His outstanding first season culminated in winning the F. W. “Dinty” Moore Trophy, awarded to the league’s best first-year goaltender based on GAA.
His success continued into the 2017–18 season, where Villalta appeared in 49 games and compiled a 40–5–2–2 record with a .908 save percentage and 2.58 GAA. These exceptional numbers earned him recognition as a third-team All-OHL selection and the Dave Pinkney Trophy for the league’s best goaltending numbers. Following the conclusion of that season on April 27, 2018, Villalta signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Los Angeles Kings, officially beginning his path toward professional hockey.
Professional Development (2019–2022)
Villalta began his professional career in 2019 with the Ontario Reign, the AHL affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings. In his rookie professional season (2019–20), he played 22 games with a record of 10–6–2–0, a .899 save percentage, and a 3.27 GAA. He also appeared in eight games with the Fort Wayne Komets of the ECHL during that season, recording an .864 save percentage.
The 2020–21 season saw Villalta return to the Ontario Reign with an 8–8–1 record while serving as a member of the Kings’ taxi squad. His most productive professional season came in 2021–22 when he ranked third in the AHL with 28 wins and fourth with 2,660 minutes and 32 seconds of ice time. In 46 appearances, he posted a 28–10–7 record with a .903 save percentage, helping the Reign qualify for the AHL playoffs.
Ontario Reign to Arizona Coyotes (2022–2024)
Villalta signed a one-year, two-way contract extension with the Los Angeles Kings on July 1, 2022. During the 2022–23 season, he appeared in 22 games and recorded a 12–8–1 record. Following the conclusion of that season, Villalta became an unrestricted free agent and signed with the Arizona Coyotes organization.
Upon joining the Coyotes, Villalta was assigned to their AHL affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners, where he emerged as the team’s primary goaltender and established himself among the league’s top performers. He opened the season with a 22–11–1 record, a 2.58 GAA, and a .913 save percentage, earning recognition as an AHL All-Star selection. His strong performance with the Roadrunners prompted his recall to the NHL level.
NHL Debut
Villalta made his NHL debut on February 16, 2024, entering the game in relief during a 5–1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. He stopped all four shots he faced while playing most of the third period. Three days later on February 19, 2024, Villalta made his first NHL start against the Edmonton Oilers, resulting in a 6–3 loss. This debut represented the culmination of his journey from undrafted junior-B player to NHL goaltender.
Playing Style and Strengths
Villalta’s 6-foot-3 frame provides him with excellent size to cover the net and challenge shooters. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated consistent technical fundamentals and the ability to maintain strong numbers across extended workloads. His track record of high save percentages and low goals against averages at both the junior and professional levels reflects his reliability and composure in the crease.
Notable Achievements
Villalta’s career highlights include winning two major goaltending trophies in the OHL (F. W. “Dinty” Moore Trophy in 2016 and Dave Pinkney Trophy in 2018), earning All-OHL recognition, achieving AHL All-Star status, and ultimately reaching the NHL after five years of development through the junior and minor professional ranks. His journey from being undrafted in the OHL to becoming an NHL goaltender stands as a testament to his persistence and development.
Matthew Villalta Career Statistics
Villalta has accumulated wins across multiple leagues throughout his career, including the OHL, AHL, and ECHL, before earning his first NHL appearances with the Arizona Coyotes in 2024.
Ontario Hockey League Highlights
During three seasons with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds from 2016 to 2019, Villalta established himself as one of the OHL’s top goaltenders. He combined for 98 wins across the three seasons with a career OHL save percentage of .910 and a sub-3.00 GAA. His best statistical season came in 2017–18 when he won 40 games and earned both the Dave Pinkney Trophy and third-team All-OHL honors. His 2016–17 rookie campaign saw him post a 25–3 record with the lowest GAA among first-year goaltenders in the league.
American Hockey League Highlights
Villalta has emerged as a reliable AHL starter with the Ontario Reign and Tucson Roadrunners. His best professional season came in 2021–22 with the Reign, where his 28 wins ranked third in the league. He followed that with an All-Star caliber season in Tucson before his NHL recall. His career AHL record stands at 58 wins across four seasons with a save percentage consistently near or above .900.
Other Performances
Villalta appeared in eight ECHL games with the Fort Wayne Komets during the 2019–20 season while developing with the Ontario Reign. He also represented the Tucson Roadrunners as an AHL All-Star, highlighting his status as one of the top goaltenders in the development league.
Matthew Villalta Family
Family Background
Villalta was born in Kingston, Ontario, on June 3, 1999. He comes from a family with strong athletic connections. His twin brother, Wyatt Villalta, also played ice hockey, following a similar path through the sport. His sister, Rachel Villalta, played college soccer, demonstrating the family’s diverse athletic talents across different sports.
Personal Life
Growing up as a twin in Kingston, Villalta shared his formative hockey years with his brother Wyatt, who also pursued a career in ice hockey. While specific details about his current personal life remain private, his family background in athletics has clearly influenced his development as a professional athlete. The support system provided by his family contributed to his journey from junior-B hockey to reaching the NHL.
2025 Season Outlook
Villalta enters the 2025 season as an established AHL goaltender with the Tucson Roadrunners while continuing to serve as organizational depth for the Utah Mammoth. His 2024–25 season began with strong performance before his NHL recall, demonstrating his ability to compete at the highest levels of the minor leagues. With several seasons of professional experience now behind him, Villalta has positioned himself as a legitimate candidate for increased NHL opportunities. His combination of size, consistent performance, and All-Star recognition makes him a valuable prospect within the Mammoth organization. The goaltending landscape in professional hockey remains competitive, and Villalta’s continued development will depend on maintaining his strong save percentages and helping the Roadrunners compete for playoff positioning while remaining ready for any opportunity that arises at the NHL level.