Player's Profile
Picture Courtesy of Holly Gunning
- Name: Matthew Pistilli
- Position: RW
- Shoots: Right
- Height: 6-2
- Weight: 220 lbs
- Birthdate: 1988-10-17
- Eligible for Draft: 2006
- Drafted:
- Hometown: Montreal, Quebec
- Acquired: Free agent signing, 2009
- Playing In: Pro
Matthew Pistilli
Prospect Grade: 5.0 C (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: HF Staff
History
2007-08: Pistilli exploded as a scorer in his third season in the QMJHL. In 63 regular season games on a Gatineau team with 2006 Flyers first-round pick Claude Giroux, Pistilli scored 37 goals with 56 assists and was + 53. In the Olympiques run to the QMJHL title, Pistili was third on the team in scoring with 11 goals and 17 assists in 19 games. He appeared in three Memorial Cup games but did not score. Pistilli’s QMJHL rights were traded from Gatineau to Shawinigan for a 1st Round pick in the 2008 QMJHL draft.
2008-09: Pistilli attended San Jose’s training camp but was not signed and returned to Shawinigan, where he began his QMJHL, for his overage season. He scored 45 goals with 41 assists and was +33 in 63 games for the Cataractes. In 21 playoff games he scored 13 goals, eight coming on the power play, with 7 assists and was -1 as he once again found himself in the QMJHL finals. The Cataractes fell short in their effort to reach the Memorial Cup, falling to Drummondville in seven games. Pistilli was named the CHL and QMJHL Humanitarian Player of the year. He signed an entry level contract with the Hurricanes in May.
2009-10: Pistilli attended training camp and started the season with Albany in the AHL playing mostly fourth line minutes before he was sent to ECHL Florida Everblades to get more ice time. He spent the second half of the season shuttling between the two places. . Pistilli scored 5 goals with 3 assists and was +4 with 10 PIM in 41 games with Albany. In 11 games with Florida during the regular season Pistilli scored 2 goals with 2 assists and was -1. He played eight playoff contests with the Everblades, scoring 3 goals with 6 assists and was -1 with 4 PIM.
2010-11 - Pistilli showed progress in his second pro season. After opening the season with ECHL Florida and scoring at a better than point-per-game clip, he was called up to Charlotte after New Year's Day and finished the season in the AHL. In 50 regular season games with the Checkers, he scored 8 goals with 11 assists and was an even plus/minus with 15 PMs. Pistilli also played in five of Charlotte's 16 playoff games and was -3 with 1 assist. Playing in the ECHL at the beginning of the year, he scored 15 goals with 16 assists and was +13 with 12 PMs in 27 games for the Everblades.
Talent Analysis
Pistilli is one of the bigger players in the Hurricanes organization and has a strong work ethic with an instinct for putting himself in good offensive situations. He controls the puck both with his body positioning and stick handling skills. He has a quick shot with an accurate release and is very good at finishing plays particularly from in close. Like many bigger players, his skating posture and agility are a challenge and cause him to have difficulties, both in changing directions to stay inside the play and in generating the speed necessary to compete at the higher levels of pro hockey. A big goal scorer in junior hockey, he is a work in progress when it comes to understanding the defensive side of the game and learning how to handle his responsibilities consistently. He could be more consistent in his physical play and in using his skill as a body checker.
Future
Pistilli should have an opportunity to establish himself as a top line forward in the AHL this season as several of the Hurricanes’ top prospects join the parent club this fall. Long-term, while he has the physical size that suggests he would make a solid energy line forward, he has the skill level and scoring instincts to fill a second or third line role, provided he can continue to improve his skating ability and become more consistent.
Stats
.
Profile Last Updated: October, 12th 2011
HF Quick Navigation
