Matt Kiersted

Matthew Kiersted (born April 14, 1998) is an American professional ice hockey player who is a defenseman for the Iowa Wild in the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Early life Kiersted was born on April 14, 1998, in Elk River, Minnesota, to parents Bob Kiersted and Candace Hartwig. He grew up as the middle child between brothers Mitch and Drew. His father was friends with former ice hockey player Mark Parrish, who convinced them to let their children play the sport. Kiersted graduated from Elk River High School in 2016.

Playing career Amateur While attending Elk River High School, Kiersted committed to play collegiate ice hockey for the North Dakota Fighting Hawks men's ice hockey team. As a junior, he left Elk River to play for the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League (USHL). He made his NHL debut two days later, in the Panthers' 5–2 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets. On June 28, 2024, Kiersted signed a one-year, two-way contract to return to the Panthers.

Following five seasons within the Panthers organization, Kiersted left as a free agent and signed to a two-year, two-way contract with homestate club, the Minnesota Wild, on July 2, 2025.

Career statistics Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2013–14 Elk River High USHS 24 6 15 21 22 3 0 4 4 2 2014–15 Elk River High USHS 25 8 28 36 31 3 1 4 5 2 2014–15 Chicago Steel USHL 11 0 1 1 6 — — — — — 2015–16 Chicago Steel USHL 57 4 19 23 44 — — — — — 2016–17 Chicago Steel USHL 23 2 12 14 24 — — — — — 2017–18 University of North Dakota NCHC 29 4 4 8 10 — — — — — 2018–19 University of North Dakota NCHC 36 7 11 18 35 — — — — — 2019–20 University of North Dakota NCHC 33 6 23 29 50 — — — — — 2020–21 University of North Dakota NCHC 29 3 19 22 28 — — — — — 2020–21 Florida Panthers NHL 7 0 0 0 2 — — — — — 2021–22 Florida Panthers NHL 10 1 1 2 2 — — — — — 2021–22 Charlotte Checkers AHL 63 5 15 20 64 7 1 0 1 4 2022–23 Florida Panthers NHL 20 1 3 4 6 — — — — — 2022–23 Charlotte Checkers AHL 49 6 15 21 44 7 0 3 3 16 2023–24 Charlotte Checkers AHL 57 4 11 15 53 3 0 0 0 6 2024–25 Charlotte Checkers AHL 64 1 28 29 40 13 0 8 8 12 2024–25 Florida Panthers NHL 2 0 1 1 2 — — — — — 2025–26 Iowa Wild AHL 49 4 8 12 38 — — — — — 2025–26 Minnesota Wild NHL 6 0 1 1 0 — — — — —NHL totals 45 2 6 8 12 — — — — —

Awards and honors Award Year RefUSHL Clark Cup champion 2017 College NCHC Second All-Star Team 2019–20 NCHC First All-Star Team 2020–21 AHCA West Second Team All-American 2020–21