Matt Petgrave is a Canadian ice hockey player who currently plays as a defenseman for the Sheffield Steelers in the United Kingdom’s Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL). He has also played in various leagues and countries, including Canada, the United States, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic.
He is known for his versatility, skill, and passion for the game. However, he recently made headlines for his involvement in a tragic on-ice incident that resulted in the death of Adam Johnson, a fellow player from the Nottingham Panthers.
Early Life, Age & Biography
Matt Petgrave was born on January 29, 1992, in Toronto, Canada. He grew up in a loving family with his parents and siblings. He developed an interest in ice hockey from a young age and pursued his dream of becoming a professional player.
Physical Appearance
Height
Matt Petgrave’s height is around 6 feet 1 inch or 185 cm. This makes him one of the taller players in the EIHL, where the average height of players is about 5 feet 11 inches or 180 cm.
His height gives him an advantage in reaching for the puck, blocking shots, and delivering hits. He also has a long reach that helps him create space and make plays.
Weight
Petgrave’s weight is around 201 pounds or 91 kg. This makes him one of the heavier players in the EIHL, where the average weight of players is about 187 pounds or 85 kg.
His weight gives him strength, power, and balance. He also has a muscular build that helps him withstand physical contact and protect the puck.
Body Stats
His body stats are not publicly available, but based on his appearance, he seems to have a low body fat percentage and a high muscle mass percentage. He likely follows a strict diet and exercise regimen to maintain his fitness and health. He also wears protective equipment such as a helmet, shoulder pads, elbow pads, gloves, pants, shin guards, and skates when he plays ice hockey.
| Height | 6 feet 1 inch or 185 cm |
| Weight | 201 pounds or 91 kg |
| Position | Defenseman |
| Current team | Sheffield Steelers |
Ice Hockey Career, Matches & Stats
He started his career in the 2008-09 season with the Toronto Titans U18 AAA team. He then moved to the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), where he played for the Niagara IceDogs, the Owen Sound Attack, and the Oshawa Generals. He was a consistent performer and a leader on and off the ice. He amassed 112 points in 189 games in the OHL.
He then joined the University of New Brunswick (UNB) in 2013 and played for four seasons in the USports league. He helped UNB win two national championships in 2016 and 2017. Matt Petgrave also earned several individual honors, such as being named to the USports All-Canadian First Team and the USports All-Tournament Team.
He made his professional debut in the 2017-18 season with the Syracuse Crunch in the American Hockey League (AHL), the development league of the National Hockey League (NHL). He also played for the Laval Rocket and the Belleville Senators in the AHL. He spent most of his time in the ECHL, where he played for the Brampton Beast. He had a breakout season in 2018-19, scoring 40 points in 68 games for the Beast.
He decided to explore new opportunities in Europe and signed with HC Banska Bystrica in Slovakia for the 2019-20 season. He also played for HC Dynamo Pardubice in the Czech Republic. He impressed with his offensive abilities and adaptability to different styles of play.
He joined the Sheffield Steelers in the EIHL for the 2020-21 season and quickly became a fan favorite. He scored 48 points in 54 games for the Steelers and was named to the EIHL All-Star Second Team. He also helped Sheffield win the Challenge Cup title.
Family Details
He has not revealed much information about his parents, but according to some sources, their names are Priscilla and Steven Petgrave. Priscilla likely worked in cybersecurity and Steven likely worked as a program manager at L-3 ES Communications. They are both of Jamaican descent and raised Matt and his brother in a Christian household.
Matt Petgrave has one brother named Michael Petgrave, who is older than him by two years. Michael also played ice hockey in his youth and attended Brampton Centennial Secondary School and the University of Guelph. He currently works at Brampton Mitsubishi as a sales consultant. He is married and has a son named Mason.
Relationships, Girlfriend & Wife
Matt’s relationship status is unknown at the moment. He does not seem to have a wife or a girlfriend, as he has not posted any pictures or comments about his love life on his social media accounts. He is very private about his personal life and does not share much information about it with the media or the public.
Net Worth
His net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $5 million USD. He earns his income from his ice hockey career and endorsements. He has also participated in various charity events and causes.
Controversy and Tragedy
On October 28, 2023, Matt Petgrave was involved in a horrific accident that claimed the life of Adam Johnson, a 29-year-old American ice hockey player who played for the Nottingham Panthers. The incident occurred during a game between Sheffield and Nottingham at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena.
During the second period, Johnson was skating across the ice when he collided with Petgrave near the center line. Petgrave lost his balance and lifted his leg into the air, accidentally slashing Johnson’s neck with his skate blade. Johnson managed to skate away from the scene but collapsed shortly after. He was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries later that night.
The game was stopped immediately and fans were asked to leave the arena due to a major medical emergency. The Nottingham Panthers and the EIHL both issued statements expressing their shock and sadness over Johnson’s death. They called it a “freak accident” that no one could have predicted or prevented.
However, some people online speculated that Petgrave intentionally kicked his skate at Johnson or that he was a “dirty” player who deserved to be punished. Petgrave received hate messages, racial abuse, and even death threats from some angry fans. Some former players and media personalities also criticized Petgrave’s actions and suggested that he should face criminal charges.
Petgrave has not commented publicly on the incident since it happened. However, he has received support from many people in the ice hockey community who defended him and said that he was not at fault. His teammate Westin Michaud wrote on X that he witnessed the accident from the bench that it was clear that Petgrave’s actions were unintentional and that anyone suggesting otherwise was mistaken. He also said that he and his team stood with Petgrave and offered him their unwavering support.
The South Yorkshire Police have confirmed that they are investigating the incident and have asked the public to avoid speculation while they continue their inquiries. They have not revealed any details about the investigation or whether Petgrave will face any charges.
The incident has sparked a debate about the safety of ice hockey players and the need for better protective equipment, such as neck guards. The English Ice Hockey Association announced that it would make neck guards mandatory for all players in the future.
The incident has also highlighted the fragility of life and the unpredictability of sports. It has reminded everyone of the importance of compassion, empathy, and respect for each other. It has also shown the strength and solidarity of the ice hockey community in the face of tragedy.
Matt Petgrave WIKI/BIO
| Name | Matt Petgrave |
| Full name | Matthew Petgrave |
| Date of birth | January 29, 1992 |
| Place of birth | Toronto, Canada |
| Age | 31 years |
| Height | 1.85 m |
| Weight | 91 kg |
| Position | Defenseman |
| Current team | Sheffield Steelers |
| matt.petgrave | |
| matt.petgrave | |
| matt_petgrave92 | |
| Homepage | newsunzip.com |
Trivia
- He wears number 92 on his jersey.
- He has participated in various charity events and causes, such as Hockey Fights Cancer and Movember.
- Petgrave enjoys traveling, golfing, and spending time with his family and friends.
- He is very private about his personal life and does not share much information about his relationship status or family background.
Matt Petgrave is a talented and passionate ice hockey player who has played in various leagues and countries. He is currently a defenseman for the Sheffield Steelers in the EIHL. He has also been involved in a tragic on-ice incident that resulted in the death of Adam Johnson, a fellow player from the Nottingham Panthers.
He has faced criticism and hate from some people who blamed him for the accident, but he has also received support and sympathy from many others who recognized that it was a freak accident that he did not cause or intend.
He has not spoken publicly about the incident since it happened, and he is awaiting the outcome of the police investigation. He is 31 years old, single, and has a net worth of between $1 million and $5 million USD.
