by Nicole Del Villano | AHL On The Beat
When Stefan Matteo re-signed with the Cleveland Monsters in July, he knew it was more than just a chance to extend his career into its 13th season. For Matteau and his young family, it was an opportunity to establish a home as they began a new phase of life.
No stranger to the Northeast Ohio community after being with the Monsters for two seasons prior to 2024-25, the opportunity to be able to stay in town was a big ask for the Matteaus.
“When the opportunity arose to come back, we jumped at it. Everything changes when you have children and start looking for stability,” said Matteau. “Ours, [the appeal] the friendliness of the people of the town and its surroundings. [It feels like] easy life and we just found a little home away from home here.”
Living in Strongsville, the team’s practice area, the Matteau family is integrated into the community before the season begins. They are looking to keep their children James again Come on busy, the family of four explored every nook and cranny of the south Cleveland city they call home. When they get a break from the family routine, Matteau and his wife Katherine enjoy finding time to go downtown Cleveland together.
Hockey used to take up a lot of family time, but now it’s for more than one player in the family. Four-year-old James joined the Strongsville Mites youth hockey team over the summer introducing Stefan to his “hockey dad era.”
“Watching James play hockey is very important and it just touched me. Time flies,” said Matteau. “Not long ago I was in the locker room with my father (a former NHL player Stephen Matteo) and he used to come to my games. My mom used to drive me to practice early on the weekend… Now it’s full, and I can do it.”
While early mornings and sitting in the stands may be a new development for Stefan, being around the hockey rink together is like second nature to the Matteau boys. Throughout the 2023-24 season, Stefan and James could be found hanging around the Monsters locker room, watching games and interacting with the team.
“I’ve always been in teams where there were a lot of kids, but last year I was the only guy, so James got all the attention when he came in,” said Matteau. “The boys are doing very well. Unfortunately I was injured for a while, so if I didn’t leave it was easy for him to come in and the guys to connect with him.
The players connected so much with James and the energy he brought, that he was named Dawg of the Game after the team beat the Toronto Marlies on Jan. 24. Dawg of the Game was a tradition started last season by the Monsters head coach. Trent Vogelhuberwhere a gamer hands out a dog mask in the locker room after a win as a nod to the Cleveland Browns.
The move gave fans only a small chance to see what it was like to weather the Monsters locker room last season. That spirit is something the returning players are looking to emulate this year, especially Matteau after being named captain.
“I am looking to bring that relationship and brotherhood that we have established. “There are a lot of guys that are back, but it’s a small group,” Matteau said. “I think [that feeling] it was what was established in the room from Trent and the staff. All the new guys just jump into the good environment and the brotherhood.”
Leading the team alongside Matteau are other captains – and familiar faces in the Cleveland community – Cole Clayton, Trey Fix-Wolansky again Owen Sillinger. Matteau was part of the Monsters team during Fix-Wolansky’s rookie year, another full-circle moment as they now serve in leadership roles together. The four captains find themselves working as an easy-going team that works together to decide on plans, team events and help build another brotherhood.
For the first time Matteau holds the title of captain, the most important part will be staying true to himself and integrating his new life on and off the ice.
“I’m just looking to be an example,” he said. “I think I am the captain because I have always been, and I want to continue to unite the team. [My family] he has a home here and a place to host the team and their families, so I’m looking to be a good guy.”
