| Matthew Argentina | Boston College | Hockey East | R | F | 5’11” | 190 | Boston College | 2021 | Philadelphia, PA | 2003 | 2021-2022: C |
NCAA: Boston College vs Maine, November 19, 2021: In the 3-2 loss to Maine Argentina earned 8:35 in total ice time. He did not contribute to the special team’s game. Statistically he finished with 0 points, was -1, had 2 shots on goal (0PP), 1 grade “A” scoring opportunity, 2 penalty minutes, 2 hits and 2 giveaways versus 1 takeaway. This was Argentina’s first game after missing the previous six. The right shot primarily played left wing on the forth line, but to us he looked stronger through contact and showed a more explosive first step. We liked how he used his body to protected the puck while cycling. Even though Boston College lost we feel this was a game for Argentina to build on.
NCAA: Boston College vs Denver University, October 23, 2021: In the 5-1 Boston College win Argentina earned 8:59 in total ice time. He did not contribute to the special team’s game. Statistically he finished with 0 points, an even plus / minus rating, 0 shots on net, 1 grade “A” scoring opportunity, 1 hit and 3 giveaways versus 1 takeaway. We feel this was a learning game for Argentina as he was eased into action against Denver. His first three shifts started as offensive zone face-offs in the right corner and by our count his line never started a shift with a defensive zone face-off. Defensively we liked his depth and width in neutral zone transition and his angles while pursuing Denver’s defensemen while they retrieved loose pucks. One thing that could be viewed as both a negative and a positive. The negative, Argentina had a few grey area turnovers that led to Denver odd man attacks. The positive, he immediately slammed on the breaks and busted his butt to backcheck through the middle of the ice so that his Boston College defensemen could play with a tight gap and force poor Pioneer decisions. Argentina’s last learning point came with about ten minutes remaining in the third period with BC holding a 2-1 lead and it pretty much ended his night. An Eagle defenseman made a hard wrap from the neutral zone with Argentina coming down the weakside wing in pursuit of the puck. Rather than using his body to shield and protect the puck, and in essence protecting the one goal third period lead, Argentina tipped the puck into the high slot hoping that a teammate was crashing through the middle for a highlight reel goal. In reality it was just a turnover that lead to a Denver odd man rush and extended defensive zone coverage for Boston College. Again, little things to learn from, but they will have a huge impact on the game and his ice time.
NCAA: Boston College vs Holy Cross, October 9, 2021: In the 5-1 Boston College win Argentina earned 13: 17 in total ice time. He did not contribute to the special team’s game. Statistically he finished with 1 goal and 1 assist, was +2, had 3 shots on goal (0PP), 1 grade “A” scoring opportunity, 2 hits, 1 shot that was blocked and 5 giveaways versus 4 takeaways. It was a two point college debut for Argentina. His assist came on a broken play along the mid-wall where he fed a pass to the weakside defenseman who was creeping in along the dot lane. We really liked his goal, where he used his speed to create a mismatch in the Holy Cross defender’s gap. Argentina then drove wide to the bottom of the circle where he used strong edges to cut hard to the far post before he chipped the puck high on the short side. We feel it was a good college debut for the 2003 forward. As expected there were times when he appeared to be “thinking”, but we feel tonight was a great game to build on.
USHL: Waterloo Black Hawks vs Lincoln Stars, April 20, 2021: In Waterloo’s 8-4 win Argentina earned 15:20 in total ice time, including 0:39 while on the power play and 1:37 while shorthanded. Statistically he finished with 4 assists, was +3, had 4 shots on goal (0PP), 4 grade “A” scoring opportunities, went 1 for 4 on face-offs, had 2 hits and 1 giveaway versus 4 takeaways. Offensively it was obviously a nice night for Argentina as he finished with four primary assists. What we liked about the assists is that they all came on ten foot passes that went to an area where his teammate was going. They weren’t just casual line rush helpers or passes to the point that resulted in a deflection. On each pass Argentina possessed and protected the puck with his eyes up reading where his teammates were going. He then gave a touch pass that allowed his teammate to have the time and space to make the play.
USHL: Omaha Lancers vs Waterloo Black Hawks, March 9th, 2021: Argentina is another skilled and crafty forward for Waterloo who registered a goal in this game. He plays the game with his head up and does a great job of navigating the neutral zone with the puck on his stick and carrying it into the offensive zone. On his goal, he showed off a quick release and buried a hard shot after finding the puck through traffic in front. The Boston College commit has good skills and is crafty with the puck when he is allowed to get his head up and examine the ice in front of him. Argentina was most effective entering the offensive zone with the puck on his stick, showing his ability to generate offence off of even and odd-man rush opportunities. Grade: B+
USHL: Waterloo vs Lincoln, December 30, 2020: Argentina is a smart, hard working forward for the Black Hawks that has good skill and can create off the rush. Argentina was moving his feet all night for Waterloo, pressuring hard on the forecheck to force hurried plays and cause turnovers. He also skates well with the puck on his stick, showing great north/ south speed through the neutral zone when he is attacking on the rush. Argentina also has a good hockey IQ which he uses to create offensive opportunities for his team. On the rush he likes to move his feet and look to drive the puck hard and wide to the net. If that play isn’t there, Argentina does a great job of delaying and looking for the second wave of attackers joining him. On the forecheck Argentina does a fantastic job of immediately looking for quick transition attacks after creating a turnover. Overall, Argentina competes hard and uses his hockey sense to create offense for the Black Hawks in a number of different areas on the ice. Grade: A-
USHL: Waterloo Blackhawks NHL Prospects, December 2019: Not a draft eligible player as he is only an 03, but he played very well tonight. Matthew can really skate and played with energy while hounding pucks. His puck skills matched his speed and he made several plays including a great pass on the backhand backdoor resulting in a goal. He did things at full speed and competed. As he continues to grow his game and make it more complete as a player, he should be on the 2021 Draft radar. GAME GRADE: B+
Select 16’s USA Hockey National Camp, July 2019: Argentina was one of the bigger names heading into camp after being invited to NTDP Evaluation Camp and being tendered by Waterloo Blackhawks in the USHL soon after. He is a natural goal scorer who has soft, elusive hands and the ability to score from anywhere in the offensive zone. His shot is powerful, as he can score from the top circles; and his shot is accurate, he can place it and has a rapid release that he can get off in stride and in traffic. He’s got excellent balance, he can get off checks and power his way through contact and has sturdy edges and a hard stick in tight around the net. While he doesn’t have an explosive first step or breakaway speed, he’s able to find open ice and has the strength and edgework to protect the puck and get to scoring areas. He’s more of a finisher than a playmaker, but has good touch on his passes and can snap it off or sauce it into soft spots and allow his teammates to skate into it. Argentina’s goal scoring was his best attribute here, as he finished with 5 goals in 5 games. However, we were impressed with his play along the boards, spinning off hits, lowering his shoulder and protecting in tight areas and making quick, subtle stick moves to change the angle and get to the slot area. He reads goalies and breaks them down, allowing him to pick corners in stride, which is rare at this age. On the powerplay, he showed great poise and composure with the puck, both from the perimeter and in tight around the net. He also showed an ability to elevate pucks in tight and knock defenders off the puck on the forecheck. He’ll need to get a step quicker, but he scored some highlight reel goals here; quick release snap shot top corner in stride on the rush; a quick stick deke move in tight on a rebound; a patient stick play just outside the crease out waiting the goalie and firing it to the empty netting and finally, he scored from beyond the dots on a power wrister. A talented sniper who is tough to knock off pucks, tough to take on 1v1 and is one of the most junior ready prospects in the age group. College: Notre Dame Grade: A
NTDP Evaluation Camp Report, March 2019: Argentina is a highly skilled player who has a rare combination of power and finesse. He has excellent puck handling ability; he can control it, he can dangle, he can make plays in tight areas and he can maneuver his way through traffic. He has a quick, powerful release and is able to use his balance and strength to protect the puck down low and drive the net. He was a bit in and out through the first day but his second day he played with more edge and showed more versatility as someone who can fill multiple roles offensively. Argentina is right up there with the best in the country with stick skills; he undressed opponents several times but he does get tunnel vision and plays too much 1v1 hockey (because he can) and got caught with his head down too often missing passing or shooting lanes. He’s one of the tougher matchups because he’s so strong on his skates that defenders can’t knock him off the puck, they can’t go for poke checks because of how slick his hands are and he is someone that needs to be challenged because he can score from beyond the dots. He was particularly effective coming off the wall, out of the corners or below the dots where he uses his combination of power skating and elusive stickhandling to create chances for himself. Poised, controlled, tough and can zip passes or blast a quick snap shot with defenders on him. While he scored a rebound goal in the final day he wasn’t able to finish off a lot of drives and produce offense. The Mercer Chiefs prospect will need to play a more complete game and show more consistency as he was in and out at times; but when he’s on and his feet are moving he’s a special offensive talent. College: Notre Dame
ISS Showcase, December 2018: When the puck is on Argentina’s stick, he can be a dynamic play maker. He sees the ice very well as he was able to distribute the puck to his line mates on a regular basis. He has an explosive first step which allows him to beat defenders to the edge. Argentina’s problems are away from the puck as he need to engage more in all three zones and play the game with more jam. Grade: B
Atlantic District Development Camp, June 2018: Playing on bad ribs Matty was not even close to 100 %. But he still played a good two-way game making a lot of plays on the backcheck and had his moments on the attack. There is high-end skill here packed with a feisty streak, work ethic and character.
AYHL Oaks Showcase, October 2017: Matt was again highly noticeable. If you knew no better you would never think this is a 2003. He is smarter than most guys and plays a game you would not expect from a guy his age. He played a good two-way game, he gets back. He also understands how to harness his skills. His shot is a very quick release but he always sets it up well, he does not shoot wide or off of a bad angle, and he knows how to use his speed to create chances. He just has to get stronger but he is only 14 so that will some.
AYHL/USPHL 16U: Gulls vs. Virtua; PAL vs. Jersey Shore; Team MD vs. Mercer, September 2017: It is out and out scary that this kid is an 2003 at 16U. He has size for that age, skills, can skate and just understands the game. His anticipation is excellent, he reads the play well. His goal was shorthanded which says a lot to begin with…a bantam aged kid killing penalties in 16U game… that was a lightning quick release off the rush that caught the corner like a laser.
AYHL U14 Playoffs, March 2017: Considering his age and he was playing with a bad wrist, he put on a very strong show. Matt has good size for an 03, is smart and handles the puck well. We look forward to seeing him healthy next year.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
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