Matt Climie

Lore & Background

Climie began his junior hockey career as a backup to his brother Chris for the Kimberley Dynamiters. After the team went bankrupt, he joined the Bonnyville Pontiacs and was later traded for $500 to the Truro Bearcats, driving nearly 3,000 miles to join them. In his final junior season, he posted a 30–10–5 record, led the MJAHL with a 2.61 GAA, and was named league MVP and an All-Star.

Undrafted, Climie signed with Bemidji State University as a 20-year-old. As a freshman, he recorded a shutout in his first game and back-to-back shutouts in the CHA tournament, earning tournament MVP as Bemidji State became the first Division I team to win its league tournament without allowing a goal. He set school records for freshman shutouts, single-season shutouts, career shutouts, and Division I wins. After college, he signed with the Dallas Stars and made his NHL debut on an emergency call-up, becoming the fifth goaltender to win his NHL debut with the Stars.

Climie later played for the Phoenix Coyotes, appearing in one game after replacing Jason LaBarbera. He also signed with the Vancouver Canucks, though the move was considered odd given the team's goaltending depth. He most recently played for the CBR Brave of the Australian Ice Hockey League.

Reader's Guide

Matt Climie's career is defined by his collegiate achievements at Bemidji State University, where he set multiple school records and led the Beavers to two CHA tournament titles. His freshman-year performance, including a shutout streak in the conference tournament, remains a notable feat in Division I hockey. Though undrafted, he carved out a professional career spanning the ECHL, AHL, and NHL, making a memorable debut with the Dallas Stars by winning in overtime. His path from junior hockey—where he drove 3,000 miles after a trade—to the NHL exemplifies perseverance. Climie's time with the Phoenix Coyotes was brief, but his ability to step in as an emergency call-up and win his first game highlights his readiness. His later signing with Vancouver, despite the team's goaltending depth, underscores the uncertainty of NHL opportunities. Ultimately, Climie's legacy rests on his college records and his status as one of the few goaltenders to win his NHL debut with the Stars.

Did You Know?

• Climie was traded for $500 during his junior hockey career.
• He drove nearly 3,000 miles to join the Truro Bearcats after being traded.
• As a freshman, he recorded back-to-back shutouts in the CHA tournament and was named MVP.
• He set Bemidji State records for career shutouts (12) and Division I wins (45).