Matthew Evan Nieto is an American professional ice hockey left winger who most recently played for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the American Hockey League while under contract to the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League. Born in Long Beach, California, on November 5, 1992, Nieto developed his passion for hockey after seeing his sister skate and began playing roller hockey at age three. He enjoyed a distinguished amateur career before the San Jose Sharks selected him in the second round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Throughout his professional career, Nieto has represented both the Sharks and Colorado Avalanche in multiple stints with each organization, establishing himself as a reliable two-way forward with speed and offensive instincts.
Matthew Evan Nieto Bio
Matthew Evan Nieto is an American professional ice hockey left winger currently playing as an unrestricted free agent. He most recently appeared for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the American Hockey League while under contract to the Pittsburgh Penguins organization of the National Hockey League. His career has featured two separate stints each with the San Jose Sharks and the Colorado Avalanche, demonstrating his value as a versatile forward who can contribute on multiple lines. The Sharks originally selected Nieto in the second round, 47th overall, during the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, and he has since accumulated over 500 NHL appearances across his career.
Early Life and Background
Nieto was born on November 5, 1992, in Long Beach, California, where he grew up in a challenging neighborhood. His father, Jesse, works as a longshoreman, while his mother, Mary, is employed as a makeup artist at Nordstrom. Nieto is of Mexican-American descent and has spoken about the environment in which he was raised, recalling that his mother once noted the neighborhood had seen drive-by shootings and that Snoop Dogg lived around the corner. When Nieto was two years old, he became interested in skating after watching his sister rollerblade in the family home. His grandfather purchased a hockey stick for him, and at age three, he began playing roller hockey at the local YMCA.
Nieto has a sister with Down syndrome and autism, and his mother has battled advanced breast cancer. These family experiences shaped his character and contributed to his resilience as an athlete. As a youth player, Nieto participated in the prestigious Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament in both 2004 and 2005, suiting up for the Los Angeles Hockey Club minor ice hockey team. He was teammates with future NHL players Emerson Etem and Rocco Grimaldi during those tournaments, gaining valuable experience against international competition at a young age.
Path to Professional Hockey
During his youth hockey career, Nieto attended Salisbury School, a preparatory school located in Salisbury, Connecticut. He began at the school at the start of his second year of high school and made an immediate impact on the hockey team. In one season with the school’s program, he recorded eight goals and ten assists in 28 games. His strong performance attracted attention from the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, leading Nieto to relocate to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to join their development system.
During the 2008-09 season with the National Team Development Program, Nieto played for both the under-17 and under-18 teams. He recorded 20 goals and 33 assists with the under-17 squad and added six goals with eight assists for the under-18 team. The following season, he competed for the program’s United States Hockey League team, scoring 15 goals with 14 assists while also appearing in one game with the under-17 team. His consistent offensive production and speed made him one of the top prospects in the country heading into the 2011 NHL Draft.
Matthew Evan Nieto Career
Amateur Career and College Hockey
After his time with USA Hockey, Nieto received offers to play major junior hockey for the Tri-City Americans of the Western Hockey League but chose instead to pursue a college hockey career. When selecting his college destination, he narrowed his choices to Boston University and Boston College before ultimately deciding to attend Boston University on a full scholarship. At Boston University, Nieto developed into a complete player and emerged as a productive offensive contributor for the Terriers.
In his freshman season with Boston University, Nieto recorded ten goals and thirteen assists, demonstrating his ability to contribute offensively at the collegiate level. During his sophomore year, he elevated his game further, scoring 16 goals with 26 assists while posting a plus-minus rating of plus-19, indicating his growing two-way play. In his junior season during 2012, Nieto scored 18 goals, ranking second on the team behind Dan O’Regan, and added 19 assists. Over his three-year collegiate career, he accumulated 44 goals and 102 points in 115 games, establishing himself as one of the top forwards in the Hockey East conference.
NHL scouts took notice of Nieto’s development, and he was ranked as the 43rd-best prospect and the second-best player in Hockey East by NHL.com among the 2011 draft class. Hockey’s Future noted that while Nieto had initially struggled defensively, he had improved significantly in that area. The scouting report highlighted his explosive speed, puck-handling ability, and passing skills, giving him a 7.5 out of 10 talent score.
San Jose Sharks Breakthrough (2013-2017)
On April 1, 2013, Nieto signed a three-year, $2.3 million contract with the San Jose Sharks. He spent part of that season with the Sharks’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Worcester Sharks, where he recorded two goals and four assists in 11 games. Nieto made his NHL debut against the Vancouver Canucks on October 3, 2013, and scored his first career NHL goal just five days later, finding the net against Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers with assists from Joe Pavelski and Tommy Wingels.
After his initial recall, Nieto experienced some reassignments between the NHL and AHL levels during his rookie season. He was briefly assigned to the San Francisco Bulls of the ECHL in December 2013 but was recalled three days later after an injury to forward Tomáš Hertl. Throughout the 2013-14 season, Nieto continued to develop his game at the NHL level. He scored his first career Stanley Cup playoff goal on April 22, 2014, an empty-netter against the Los Angeles Kings.
During the 2016-17 season, Nieto saw limited opportunities with the Sharks, appearing in just 16 games with two assists. Facing a numbers crunch on the roster and seeking more playing time, he was placed on waivers in January 2017. The Colorado Avalanche claimed him off waivers on January 5, 2017, providing a fresh start for the young forward.
Colorado Avalanche First Stint (2017-2020)
Upon joining the Avalanche, Nieto found more consistent playing time and began to establish himself as a valuable member of the roster. On July 25, 2017, he and the Avalanche agreed to a one-year, $1 million contract, avoiding arbitration. The following season proved to be a breakthrough year for Nieto, as he set career highs with 74 games played and 15 goals scored. His consistent offensive contribution and two-way play earned him a longer-term commitment from the organization.
Following his strong 2017-18 season, the Avalanche signed Nieto to a two-year contract worth $3.95 million in July 2018. The deal reflected the organization’s confidence in his ability to contribute as a reliable middle-six forward. During his first full season with Colorado, Nieto demonstrated the versatility and consistency that had become hallmarks of his game, providing secondary scoring and responsible defensive play.
Return to San Jose Sharks (2020-2023)
At the conclusion of the 2019-20 season, Nieto became an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career. He returned to his original franchise, signing a one-year, $700,000 contract with the San Jose Sharks on October 13, 2020. The 2020-21 season presented challenges, as Nieto contributed five goals and seven points in 25 games before suffering an injury that ended his campaign prematurely.
Despite the injury setback, Nieto achieved a significant career milestone on March 19, 2021, when he played in his 500th NHL game against the St. Louis Blues. He became only the third Californian-born player to reach that milestone, joining Brooks Orpik and Jason Zucker in that distinction. This achievement highlighted his longevity and durability in a demanding professional league.
On June 21, 2021, Nieto agreed to a two-year, $1.7 million contract extension to remain with the Sharks. During the 2021-22 season, fully recovered from injury, he recorded six goals and seventeen points in 70 regular season games. The Sharks failed to qualify for the postseason for the third consecutive year during this period.
In his final season under contract with San Jose during 2022-23, Nieto demonstrated his versatility and ability to elevate his play when given opportunity. When promoted to play alongside star forward Logan Couture, he increased his scoring output, recording eight goals and fifteen points through 48 games. The Sharks, out of playoff contention, traded Nieto to the Avalanche on January 25, 2023, in exchange for Martin Kaut and Jacob MacDonald. He completed the season combining his production between both teams, finishing with 12 goals and 24 points, both his second-highest career totals.
Colorado Avalanche Second Stint and Penguins Tenure (2023-Present)
Nieto joined the Avalanche for the stretch run of the 2022-23 season and appeared in seven playoff games with the team. The Avalanche faced the Seattle Kraken in the first round but were eliminated in a series affected by injuries to key players, with Nieto failing to record a point in those contests. Following the season, he entered free agency once again and made a significant move by signing with the Pittsburgh Penguins organization.
On July 1, 2023, Nieto signed a two-year, $1.8 million contract with the Penguins, joining the organization that had acquired his former Colorado teammate Artturi Lehkonen. The contract represented a return to a franchise with strong playoff aspirations and a chance to compete for postseason success. He reporting to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League, where he played while remaining under contract to the Pittsburgh Penguins organization.
Playing Style and Strengths
Nieto has built his NHL career as a reliable two-way forward capable of contributing in various situations. His explosive speed stands out as one of his primary assets, allowing him to gain the offensive zone effectively and win races to loose pucks. He possesses strong puck-handling ability and excels at passing, making him effective on the rush and in cycle situations. Throughout his career, he has improved his defensive play, developing into a responsible player who can be trusted in all three zones. His versatility allows him to play up and down the lineup, whether providing secondary scoring or contributing to the team’s checking units.
Notable Events and Milestones
Several significant moments have defined Nieto’s career. His selection by the San Jose Sharks in 2011 made him the first Californian ever drafted by that organization, a meaningful milestone given the state’s growing hockey community. Reaching his 500th NHL game on March 19, 2021, placed him among a select group of American-born players from his home state to achieve that distinction. The 2022-23 season saw him post some of his best offensive numbers since his early career, combining 12 goals and 24 points between two teams. His consistent contributions across multiple organizations and roles have demonstrated his value as a dependable professional hockey player.
Matthew Evan Nieto International Career
Nieto represented the United States at the international level on multiple occasions during his amateur career. He was first selected to Team USA for the 2009 IIHF World U18 Championships, where he contributed four goals in seven games to help the United States capture the gold medal. He returned to represent his country the following year and successfully defended the gold medal at the 2010 IIHF World U18 Championships. These international performances showcased his ability to perform on the biggest stage and contributed to his standing as a top prospect heading into the NHL.
Matthew Evan Nieto Family
Family Background and Support System
Nieto’s family has played a central role in his hockey journey, providing support and encouragement throughout his development. His father, Jesse, works as a longshoreman, while his mother, Mary, has worked as a makeup artist. Growing up in Long Beach, Nieto was raised in a challenging environment, but his parents prioritized his athletic pursuits and created opportunities for him to pursue hockey despite the obstacles. His grandfather played an important role in his early hockey development by purchasing his first hockey stick when he was young.
Nieto has spoken about the challenges his family faced, including his mother’s battle with advanced breast cancer and his sister’s conditions of Down syndrome and autism. These personal circumstances helped shape his character and perspective, contributing to his resilience and determination on and off the ice. The family support system has remained important to him throughout his professional career.
Personal Life
Beyond hockey, Nieto has maintained strong connections to his California roots despite his professional career taking him across North America. He attended Salisbury School during his youth before moving to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for his development with USA Hockey, and then to Boston for college. His journey from Long Beach through the American hockey development system to the NHL has made him a role model for players from non-traditional hockey markets. Information regarding his marital status or children is not publicly available.
2025 Season Performance
As of 2025, Matthew Evan Nieto enters the season as an unrestricted free agent following his time with the Pittsburgh Penguins organization. His professional future remains open as he evaluates opportunities with NHL clubs or other professional leagues. Throughout his career spanning from 2013 to the present, Nieto has demonstrated the ability to contribute as a versatile forward capable of playing in various roles. His experience includes over 500 NHL games across multiple organizations, with career highs in goals and points providing evidence of his offensive potential when given adequate opportunity. Teams seeking a reliable two-way forward with speed, character, and the ability to play up and down the lineup may view Nieto as a valuable addition for their roster composition.