Matt Tennyson

Hometown:

Pleasanton California

Team:

San Jose Sharks

Currently Playing In:

Pro

Birthday:

1990-04-23
Position:

D
Eligible for draft:

2008
Shoots:

Right
Drafted:
Height:

6-2
Acquired:

Free agent signing, 2012
Weight:

212 lbs.
Prospect Talent Score
7.5

About Prospect Talent Score and Probability of Success»

Probability of Success
  • C

History

2009-10: Tennyson had a good freshman season with the WMU Broncos where the big offensive defenseman lead all freshmen in games played and was second in points by first year players. He finished the season having scored two goals along with seven assists and a good minus one rating in 34 NCAA games.

2010-11: The sophomore defender had an excellent offensive year at WMU where Tennyson led the defensemen in scoring, power play goals (seven) and scoring two game winning goals in the CCHA playoffs. He finished his second year having scored nine goals along with 12 assists and a good minus one rating in 42 NCAA games.

2011-12: Tennyson was the top offensive defenseman at Western Michigan University for coach, Andy Murray who coached in the NHL before joining the university this season. The junior was fourth in scoring for the Broncos and controlled the team's power play while scoring eleven goals (eight on the power play) along with 13 assists but a poor minus seven rating in 41 NCAA games. The big, mobile blueliner impressed the San Jose Sharks enough with his overall game this season to receive a free-agent contract from NHL team on March 14, 2012. He played seven games for the AHL Sharks where he scored one goal and one assist and a minus one rating to end the 2011-12 season.

 

Talent Analysis

Tennyson has very quick accurate shot for the point or from the top of the circle and his shot will only get faster and harder as he develops more strength at the professional level. The big defenseman has excellent skating and puck moving skills but can be a little weak with defensive zone positioning and pinches offensively at the wrong times. This can be corrected at the AHL level because the big physical defender has the hockey IQ and all the capabilities to be a top-two defenseman but will need time to develop the defensive side of his game.

 

Future

Tennyson could compete for a roster position with San Jose out of NHL training camp but will most likely start the season in the AHL with Worcester. Should the big offensive defenseman get off to an excellent start to the upcoming season then he could be an injury replacement call-up for the Sharks.

 

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