Topic: Matt Niskanen

Matthew Norman Niskanen (born December 6, 1986 in Virginia, Minnesota) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman. He was drafted by the Dallas Stars in the first round, 28th overall, in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. His roots are in Finland and all his great-grandparents are Finnish, but he does not speak Finnish himself.

Niskanen attended the University of Minnesota Duluth. In 2005–06, his freshman season on the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs hockey team, he recorded 14 points in 38 games. Before that, Niskanen played for the Virginia/Mountain Iron-Buhl boy's hockey team and helped bring the Blue Devils to their first state high school tournament appearance. During 2006–2007, his sophomore season on the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs hockey team, he recorded nine goals, twenty-two assists in thirty-nine games.

Niskanen was named to the 2006–2007 All WCHA first team, and the All WCHA academic team.