Eurolanche

Avs acquire Matthias from Toronto

The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that the team has acquired forward Shawn Matthias from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for forward Colin Smith and a fourth-round selection in the 2016 NHL Draft.

Matthias, 28, has appeared in 51 games for the Maple Leafs this season, tallying 17 points (6g/11a).  The 6-foot-4, 231-pound center signed with Toronto as a free agent on July 6, 2015 after spending last season with Vancouver, where he recorded a career-high 18 goals and 27 points in 78 games.  He dressed in all six playoff contests for the Canucks, picking up a goal and one assist.

Selected by Detroit in the second round (47th overall) of the 2006 Entry Draft, Matthias made his NHL debut for the Florida Panthers in 2007-08 and has gone on to collect 148 points (75g/73a) in 459 career games for Florida, Vancouver and Toronto.  He also has three points (1g/2a) in 13 playoff contests.

A native of Mississauga, Ontario, Matthias won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2008 IIHF World Junior Championship in the Czech Republic.

-- Avalanche Press Release --