Matthew Byrne, a Nelson Leafs alum, is a senior for the Anna Maria College AMCATS. A business administration student, Byrne has five goals and seven points in 10 games this season, after posting five points in seven games last season that ended due to injury.
Byrne, who had 37 points in 23 career KIJHL games, spoke with KIJHL communications director Emanuel Sequeira about his season and playing for the AMCATS.
KIJHL: How is this season going for you?
MB: Really good. We’ve got a great group of guys and we’re doing pretty well at 7-3-0. It’s our first year in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC). It’s our first year of seeing standings and being able to play in the playoffs, which is really awesome. We’ve been an independent program.
KIJHL: What are you looking to accomplish personally and as a team this season as a senior?
MB: I want to make sure I’m doing all I can to have the best individual season, but overall, I want our team to do well this year and winning the MASCAC would be awesome. It’s been a lot of fun with the guys and I think we have a good opportunity to do something special.
I didn’t really have confidence during my first year, 2021-22, but my coaches and teammates have helped me since then and I’ve been able to progressively get better every year.
KIJHL: What have you enjoyed about your time playing college hockey?
MB: I actually have loved college hockey. I love being in class with teammates and the aspect of being in college and playing on the team. It’s just awesome. It’s definitely been an awesome opportunity. We try to have classes between 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and then practice each day at 1:30 p.m. You have time after to do your homework. We also do gym sessions every week. It’s not easy to balance, but it’s definitely attainable and you can do it.
KIJHL: How was the KIJHL an important step in your career path?
MB:Â It was definitely a lot of fun and I had great teammates there, great teams there. It helped me play with more confidence. The physicality got me ready for college, which has older players and is definitely a physical league.
In 2019-20, Byrne joined the Steam for the final half of the season and produced 18 goals and 26 points in 15 regular season games. He added three points in four playoff games. He joined the Leafs for the 2021-22 season disrupted by COVID-19 and had five goals and 11 points in three games.
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