Matt Koalska

Matthew James Koalska (born May 16, 1980) is an American former professional ice hockey center. He was drafted in the fifth round, 154th overall, by the Nashville Predators in the 2000 NHL entry draft. He played 3 games in the National Hockey League with the New York Islanders during the 2005–06 season. He retired in 2007 due to heart issues.

Playing career Koalska played his college hockey at the University of Minnesota from 2000–2004 winning two National Championships.

Koalska made his professional debut with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League in the 2004–05 season. He appeared in three NHL games with the New York Islanders in the 2005–06 season, going scoreless. On January 5, 2007, the Islanders traded Koalska to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for defenceman Tomas Malec. Koalska finished the season with the Senators' AHL affiliate, the Binghamton Senators before signing in the off-season with HC Bolazno in the Italian Elite League. However, Koalska did not play with Bolazno, having to retire due to a heart condition. He returned to University of Minnesota to complete his degree.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1997–98 Hill–Murray School HS-MN — — — — — — — — — — 1998–99 Hill–Murray School HS-MN 26 20 50 70 18 — — — — — 1999–00 Twin City Vulcans USHL 57 24 34 58 19 13 5 5 10 4 2000–01 University of Minnesota WCHA 42 10 14 24 36 — — — — — 2001–02 University of Minnesota WCHA 44 10 23 33 34 — — — — — 2002–03 University of Minnesota WCHA 41 9 31 40 26 — — — — — 2003–04 University of Minnesota WCHA 44 13 26 39 44 — — — — — 2004–05 Bridgeport Sound Tigers AHL 60 7 8 15 22 — — — — — 2005–06 Bridgeport Sound Tigers AHL 75 19 30 49 82 7 2 1 3 0 2005–06 New York Islanders NHL 3 0 0 0 2 — — — — — 2006–07 Bridgeport Sound Tigers AHL 3 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 2006–07 Hershey Bears AHL 11 3 2 5 4 — — — — — 2006–07 Binghamton Senators AHL 37 5 6 11 22 — — — — — AHL totals 186 34 46 80 130 7 2 1 3 0 NHL totals 3 0 0 0 2 — — — — —