ITEM DESCRIPTION: What you are looking at right now is game worn 2006-07 Texas Wildcatters ECHL jersey worn by former Washington Capitals netminder, Matthew Yeats, in statistically the best season of his pro hockey career. It exhibits excellent wear comprised of black marks throughout, some minor material pilling, and a small stain under the center crest.
SHORT BIO: Born on April 6, 1979 in Montreal, Quebec, Matthew Yeats was a solid netminder coming out of the Olds Grizzlys of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. Drafted 248th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in 1998, Yeats did not immediately turn pro, instead, he headed to the University of Maine to play collegiate hockey. There, he helped them become the 2000 NCAA Hockey East Champions. After his collegiate career ended, he turned pro in 2002-03, spending the majority of the season with the ECHL's Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies, leading them to the ECHL Kelly Cup victory. On March 19, 2004, Yeats was signed as a free agent by the Washington Capitals.
He made his NHL debut for them four days later on March 23, 2004. Relieving Olaf Kolzig in goal for the final period of action vs the New York Islanders, he stopped all 14 shots that he faced as Washington fell 3-0. He ultimately appeared in five NHL games that season before being sent back to the minors. With the lockout season in effect, Yeats split the season with the Reading Royals and the Idaho Steelheads in the ECHL. 2005-06 saw him continue his ECHL journey with Idaho before the 2006-07 season saw him join the Texas Wildcatters. There, he appeared in a career high 60 games, going 32-19-7 with 6 shutouts, and a 0.910% save average. Despite the excellent season, Yeats ultimately opted to head to Europe for the next two seasons, playing in Norway (where he led their entire league with the best GAA), Denmark, and Slovakia before retiring from play in 2009. In his NHL career, Matthew Yeats appeared in 5 games, going 1-3-0 with a 3.03GAA, and a 0.908% save average. He appeared in no NHL playoff games. |
YEAR: 2006-07
TEAM: Texas Wildcatters GAME WORN? Yes MANUFACTURER/MODEL: Reebok SIZE: 58G ACQUIRED FROM / LOA: Private collector, no LOA DATES OF GAME USE: Dates unknown NOTABLE MOMENTS: N/A PHOTOMATCHED: No, referenced AUTOGRAPHED: No AVAILABILITY: THIS ITEM IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR SALE/TRADE/DONATION |