Player's Profile
- Name: Matt Taormina
- Position: D
- Shoots: Left
- Height: 5-10
- Weight: 185 lbs
- Birthdate: 1986-10-20
- Eligible for Draft: 2004
- Drafted:
- Hometown: Washington Township, Michigan
- Acquired: Free agent signing, 2010
- Playing In: Pro
Matt Taormina
Prospect Grade: 6.5 B (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: HF Staff
History
2009-10: After a fairly unspectacular four-year run at Providence College, Taormina garnered little interest from NHL teams, and signed an AHL deal for the 2009-10 season. By the end of the year, Taormina had earned himself an NHL contract after a spectacular 10-goal, 40-assist season. He finished seventh among all AHL blueliners with 50 points, while finishing second behind Montreal phenom P.K. Subban for points by rookie defensemen. Those 50 points in 75 games was good enough to place him third on Lowell in team scoring. He was not afraid to shoot, with a team-leading 191 shots, a rare feat for a defenseman. He showed great power-play quarterbacking ability with eight of his 10 markers coming with the man advantage. He scored a goal and three assists in five playoff games.
2010-11: Taormina opened the season with the Devils out of training camp after playing for then-coach John MacLean the previous season with AHL Albany. Taormina's offensive, skating game seemed to fit the up-tempo style that MacLean tried to install and he saw significant ice-time before suffering a season-ending ankle injury in November. In 17 games, Taormina scored 3 goals with 2 assists and was -2 with 2 PMs. Taormina was re-signed to a one-year contract by the Devils in July 2011.
Talent Analysis
Taormina’s size will always be a knock against him, but in this day in age in the NHL, that is not nearly the hindrance it once was. He is an offensive minded defenseman first and foremost. Taormina is a great skater who is supremely confident with the puck on his stick and loves to lead the rush up the ice. His distribution skills are above-average and while he doesn’t have the hardest point shot, he is good at getting it through traffic and on net. His defensive play is definitely not a strength, but it is adequate enough to the point where he isn’t a constant liability in his own end.
Future
The true definition of a late-bloomer, Taormina has rocketed through the organization and appeared to be very comfortable at the NHL last season before suffering a seasoning ending injury in November. While he likely won’t be a top-pairing workhorse, Taormina looks to be a guy who can man the power play while providing solid minutes as a number 4/5 defenseman.
Stats
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Profile Last Updated: October, 28th 2011
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