General Manager Dale Tallon previously selected offensive-defenseman Michael Matheson with the 23rd overall selection in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Matheson would spend the following three years with Boston College playing in the NCAA.
Matheson was simply sensational with Boston College and spent the majority of the 2016 season with the Portland Pirates of the AHL. Additionally, Mike made his NHL debut in 2016, participating in three regular-season contests and five playoff matches.
Matheson was stellar in the playoffs versus the New York Islanders, recording an assist and playing a consistently steady style of defense alongside franchise cornerstone Aaron Ekblad for the majority of the series.