Fan Favourite Maione Returns to the Beast
Brampton Beast Media Release
BRAMPTON, ON — The Brampton Beast are excited to announce the re-signing of 24-year-old defenseman and last season’s Rookie and Fan Favourite Player of the Year Mathew Maione.
Maione notched 43 points (14 goals and 29 assists) in 69 games for Brampton, leading all ECHL rookie blueliners in scoring and coming in 10th overall in scoring among ECHL defensemen.
“Mathew had a true breakout season last year,” said team President and General Manager Cary Kaplan. “He was consistently our best defenseman and often our best player. Known for his breakaway speed and great on-ice instincts, I feel the Beast faithful will be really excited about this signing. We are looking forward to Mathew being a big part of what is shaping up to be a powerful roster in Brampton this season.”
Despite several offers to play in Europe in the fall, Maione chose to remain in the GTA and continue his professional career with the Beast for the upcoming year. The close proximity to home has allowed the offensive-minded defender to once again train with renowned fitness guru and feared NHL forward Gary Roberts at St. Andrew’s College during the offseason.
“I love working out with Gary, he’s an awesome guy who is extremely competitive and I feel like I’m in great shape coming into this season,” said Maione. “Truthfully I just want to get started. I’m excited about the team Chaulk is putting together, and to play for a guy who was a captain for ten years in Fort Wayne where he won five championships is going to make us a really tough team to play against.”
Maione suited up for four seasons of CIS hockey with the University of Prince Edward Island before beginning his professional debut with the Fort Wayne Koments in the spring of 2014. During his university hockey career, Maione tallied 65 points (9 goals, 56 assists) in 112 games to go along with 102 penalty minutes and a +24 rating.
“Maione is a smooth skating, puck-moving defenseman who has a natural confidence and poise with the puck,” said Head Coach Colin Chaulk. “Given his ability and skill on the ice we expect him to be able to contribute both offensively and defensively for the Beast.”
In 2013 Maione represented both the University of PEI and Atlantic University Sports in the International University Sports Federation Games in Italy, where the young blueliner scored the game-winning goal for Team Canada in the tournament final to defeat Kazakhstan and bring home the gold medal.