| Matthew Coronato | Chicago Steel | USHL | R | F | 5’10” | 181 | Harvard | 2021 | New York, NY | 2002 | 2020-2021: B |
USHL: Chicago Steel vs NTDP U17, February 24, 2021: Coronato is a skilled offensive player who is dangerous whenever given time and space to work with the puck. He is highly skilled and is most effective working on the rush and powerplay. On the rush he likes to work laterally, often cutting to the middle as he enters the offensive zone where he will shoot through screens or attempt to pass through a seam. The Harvard commit has the ability to slow the game down and use his vision to create offensively. He often does this when defenders have a soft gap and he knows he can’t beat them wide. On the powerplay, he works the wall extremely well. He scored a goal from his spot after creating a small two on one, and using a give and go maneuver to find himself in open space with the puck. From here he ripped a hard wrist past a screen and into the top corner of the net. Overall, Coronato is an offensive threat and has the ability to create scoring opportunities whenever he is given time or space to work. Grade: A
USHL: Chicago Steel vs Green Bay Gamblers, February 10, 2021: Coronato was ultra-productive in this game, registering a hat-trick and two assists for five total points on four shots. He has elite offensive instincts and is dangerous with and without the puck. With the puck on his stick, he plays with his head up and uses his edges to navigate open ice extremely well. The Harvard commit also has quick hands, which he uses to throw fakes in open ice and maintain the puck in tight areas. Without the puck on his stick, he is very adept at reading the play, especially in the offensive zone. Coronato regularly finds open ice in prime scoring areas and uses his skillset to finish at a high rate around the net. On the powerplay, he is really good at using his eyes to move penalty killers out of position. After doing so he regularly finds passing lanes through the middle of the ice to give his teammates quality shot opportunities. Overall, Coronato is a high-end offensive player and showcased that in a three-goal, five-point effort against Green Bay. Grade: A
USHL: Waterloo vs Chicago, January 28, 2021: Coronato didn’t stand out quite as much in this game as he has when Neutral Zone has seen him play before, but he still ended up with two assists in the game and was a key factor in the Steel’s victory. The Harvard commit is always dangerous when he has the puck and is thinking offense. On the rush he is creative and can slow the play down, often finding space high in the zone where he looks to make plays. He has excellent vision and uses this to find teammates in high percentage scoring areas. In the offensive zone he is very smart with the puck and does an excellent job of using his eyes to throw off defenders. Overall, Coronato had somewhat of a quiet game, but proved he is always a dangerous offensive threat that finds a way to contribute. Grade: B+
USHL: Youngstown Phantoms vs Chicago Steel, January 27, 2021: Coronato is another Steel forward who is creative on the rush and generates offense with his speed, skill and vision. He didn’t end up on the scoresheet in the game but was a crucial part of Chicago’s offensive attack and was responsible for establishing an offensive zone attack. The Harvard commit registered five shots in the game, most of which came as he created space when entering the offensive zone. He liked to cut to the middle when entering the offensive zone on rush attacks and could do so because his straight ahead speed made defenders uncomfortable and created bad gaps. Coronato was moving his feet throughout the game and was essential to his team’s offense even though his name didn’t end up on the scoresheet. Grade: A-
Neutral Zone NHL’s Ian Moran’s comments, December 2020: Matthew can do everything at top speed. He handles bouncing pucks, passes in his feet and strange bounces off the walls with his head up and while he’s still moving. One of the things that stands out to me is his ability to handle a poor pass, settle it down and still keep his feet moving to generate power or speed. It’s obvious to anyone watching that his skills are really high end, but I keep being drawn to the fact that he can be in awkward situations, or areas, and it looks like the play is dead, but Matthew will move his feet to create space. He’s not trying to toe drag or flip the puck in desperation. He moves his feet while shielding the puck and has his eyes up looking to make a hockey play. I mean let’s be honest, he’s averaging a goal a game and and has 26 points in 11 games so right now he is having his way with the league.
USHL: Chicago Steel vs Youngstown Phantoms, December 16, 2020: Coronato established his presence from the drop of the puck in this game, skating hard on the opening shift to create a turnover on the forecheck that resulted in a high quality scoring chance for the Steel. Coronato finished the game with six shots on net, adding one goal and one assist to his totals for the night. He skated hard throughout the game, using his speed to his advantage on offense and defense. Coronato has elite skill, always threatening to create when the puck is on his stick, but he is especially dangerous with time and space coming through the neutral zone or when he has the puck high in the offensive zone. Coronato plays with his head up and has good one on one skill, making him very difficult to defend when he is entering the offensive zone. On the powerplay, Coronato is dangerous on the half wall, threatening with hard cross seam passes, but also looking to rip pucks through traffic and on the net. Coronato is a creative offensive player that is a legitimate threat any time he is given time or space to work with the puck. Grade: A-
USHL: Chicago vs Green Bay, November 2020: Coronato is another skilled offensive threat for Chicago that is always looking for a way to funnel the puck towards the net to create offense for his team. He is effective on the rush, using his speed to push defenders back and looking for his teammates streaking backdoor or getting the puck to the net. On one play at the end of the first period, Coronato circled back in the neutral zone to collect a loose puck and gain speed. The Gamblers were on a change and Coronato took advantage, driving the puck down the open lane wide and throwing the puck into the goalie’s feet from a tough angle. The puck found its way in and Coronato was able to bring his team within one at the end of the frame. He was also very good on the powerplay, moving pucks quickly and finding ways to get shots off from his spot in the slot. Overall, Coronato is a fast, skilled, offensive threat for the Steel that loves to funnel the puck to the net and create chances for his team. Grade: A-
USHL: Des Moines, Sioux Falls, NTDP 17, Chicago, November 2020: Poised forward that can shoot the puck effectively from far out. His quick release is dangerous from anywhere in the offensive zone and caught goalies off guard. If he could pick his corners better he would have padded his stats but the fact that he’s in the scoring chance area says a lot about his game. Grade: B+
USHL: Chicago Steel Draft Prospects, December 2019: Matthew played with a ton of speed and pace to his game tonight. He was all over the ice and putting pressure on the opponent’s defensive core. His quickness and change of direction gave him a lot of chances. He cashed in tonight as he had 2-0-2 with 4 shots on goal. His stick was as quick as his feet and made things very difficult for defenders to get the puck back from him. He made plays on the rush as well as down low. A player who has room to get stronger and be a player to follow for the 2021 NHL Draft. GAME GRADE: B+
U16 USA Hockey Nationals, May 2019: Coronato has some of the best set of hands of anyone in the tournament, but what was more impressive than his slick, fancy 1v1 moves was his ability to find his teammates in all three zones and get them the puck. He has excellent vision, the poise to wait for the passing lane to open and the touch and precision to place it perfectly on their blade. He’s smart, he makes great reads, he can dangle in open ice when pressured and has the rare ability to stop and accelerate in any direction while keeping his head up and maintaining possession of the puck. A puck possession style forward with elusive, creative offensive game, a quick, accurate release and high level passing ability. Coronato senses pressure, reads the full sheet, understands where his teammates are at all times and has the puck control and composure to create offense nearly every shift. He finished the tournament with 1 goal and 6 assists. College: Harvard
Flood Marr Tournament, January 2019: While Salisbury’s entire forward group put on a show here at Flood Marr, there may not have been a more impressive overall performance than Coronato start to finish. The late ’02 isn’t the flashiest skater but he’s got jump and a balanced stride. He has high-level hockey sense and game management, he sees the entire sheet and has the dual ability to slow it down, breakdown defenders and make plays in space or push the pace and make quick plays at full speed. His stickhandling is arguably the best in the tournament in that he can turn defenders inside and out 1v1 because he’s both quick handed and elusive making him tough stop. He’s poised, he doesn’t force plays and allows the play to develop in front of him and quickly attacks seams as they open. A heady, nifty forward who made a ton of plays here and in a variety of ways. He changes speed, he cuts across the blue line and turns 2v2’s or 3v3’s into odd-man situations and can pick apart penalty killers on the power play. What is equally impressive as his offensive skills and smarts are his effort away from the puck, his backchecking and overall compete level. A complete player who coaches can win with. College: Harvard Grade: A
USA Hockey Select 16 National Development Camp, July 2018: Coronato returns to his second National Camp after a highly successful season with Long Island Gulls where he finished second on the team in points and was drafted in both the USHL and OHL drafts. He’s smooth, balanced skater with strong edges and an explosive first step. He’s a heads up puck carrier with great poise and a rocket release. He led several end-to-end rushes, played a possession style game and made opponents miss all over the ice with his quick, strong, elusive hands. He also showed the ability to come off the wall with burst, separate from opponents and stickhandle his way to the net or fire a hard shot from the outside. While he created a lot of offense and led his team with a 2-3-5 line in 5 games his best play was actually after a turnover he caused on a bad pass just inside the offensive blue line that got intercepted. He immediately stopped on the puck, accelerated back to the puck, passed two opponents on the way and caught the puck carrier and got the puck back. That speed and determination tell a lot about the kind of player Coronato is and what he could become down the road. He’ll make the move to New England prep runner-up champion Salisbury School next season. College: Harvard
Liberty Bell Games, June 2018: Matt is ultra-skilled and really smart. He was all over the ice making plays here. The late 2002 slipped through the smallest seams. His agility is elite and his pace of play was superb. Moved to smart spots were the puck finds him. Twisted and turned, spun and changed pace to create. Went end to end and separated with possession with ease. He also worked very hard to hunt pucks and won almost every battle on the wall. Scored, moved pucks to scoring spots and competed. He played like he had something to prove and was the best player on the ice virtually every shift. College: Harvard
USHL Phase 1 Draft Grades, Chicago Steel, May 2018: The Steel had 12 picks in the draft and occupied 10% of the Top 100 picks which left them in a great position. They went after the #2 ranked prospect in the draft in Owen Power, a pro style 6’5” Michigan committed defender out of Mississauga Reps. He has the size, athleticism and versatile skill set to play in the league next season if needed. They didn’t stop there; they tapped into the GTHL market again for arguably the smartest player in the draft in fellow Michigan commit Cole Perfetti out of Vaughn Kings. In the second round they selected an elite pace and playmaker in Cole Shepard who is signed with Penticton next season and expected to attend Harvard University. Their last Canadian pick was NTDP Evaluation camp invite and Toronto Jr. Canadians standout Dylan Robinson, a skilled power forward who can finish but carries high OHL risk so it was a smart risk/reward play in the ninth round. With their American picks they selected 4 NCAA D1 commits in nifty, skill forward Joe Miller out of Blake HS, slick handed Matt Coronato out of Long Island Gulls U16, a high compete, all-around forward in Sasha Teleguine and mobile, two-way, puck moving defender Jason Marsella out of NJ Avalanche U16. Among their uncommitted prospects they added some nice prospects in Tim Lovell, a small but elite skating defender out of Boston Advantage, NTDP Evaluation camp invite and Shattuck U16 standout Matthew Samoskevich, sneaky, slippery forward in Josh Doan (son of NHLer Shane Doan) and speedy, hard working David Ma out of Shattuck St. Mary’s. This was a solid draft; they took some chances taking high skill up north and they complimented it well with US NCAA commits and great value picks late in the draft. The Steel staff lost their GM late in the scouting season so this was an impressive performance by the scouting staff and new GM to take over last minute and put together this draft.
AYHL U16, January 2018: Matt was quiet early on but he ended up with a goal and an assist and made some plays. His hands are high-end and he finds the open ice well. He has to get stronger to be more consistent. He was not involved in the dirty areas today. The defensive game is a work in progress as he has to get back quicker but that will come as he gets better leg strength. He is a young 2002 with real skills. High ceiling
AYHL Oaks Showcase, October 2017: Matt is just a very smart, subtle player. He sees the ice well and is great at finding the seam to make the feed through in all three zones. His hand skill are strong and he knows where to go. He needs more power to his stride and to get quicker, athough his straight-line speed is solid. He has to get stronger. His hockey IQ is high.
AYHL/USPHL 16U, September 2017: Matt played a good game for young 2002. He has a good shot, sees the ice and has decent skills. We liked the way he understands the game and how he knows where to go. He has to improve the feet and get another step but there is a lot to like here.
Junior Chowder Cup 2002 Division, August 2017: A smart, slick handed, puck possession forward with natural hockey instincts. He made great passes off the rush and knew how to manage time and space and make plays in open ice. He can both finish and create but did more passing than shooting here. His best attribute is the pace in which he plays and his ability to access all of his skill at full speed.
U14 USA Tier 1 Nationals, April 2017: Matt got better and better as the week went on and the games got bigger. He has really neat hands that allow him to find pucks and make plays. His vision along the goal line and around the net was impressive. His shot is quick and accurate. His skating is above average and his stride should allow him to add speed as he gains strength. We really liked his play without the puck. He moved to quiet/productive parts of the ice and presented his stick well for passes. His approach was meticulous each game. Against SSM (1G 1A), Coronato got knocked down in the offensive zone. The puck left the zone. He popped right up, hustled to get out of the zone and got onside(it was a long skate). NJ scored right after. His effort and attitude were excellent.
AYHL U14 Playoffs, March 2017: Matt is a late 02 with excellent vision and creativity. His feet are average. His straight line speed is strong but he is not quick in his first few steps. His hands are top shelf.