Matikka’s second professional season was another struggle. After a 20-goal NCAA championship campaign at Denver, the transition to pro hockey has been rough. He split time between the Tucson Roadrunners in the AHL and the Allen Americans in the ECHL, never establishing himself as a full-time AHL player. The 6-3, 201-pound frame and the shot that produced at the college level have not translated into consistent professional production. Utah’s own report card gave him a D for the season, and with the organization loading Tucson’s roster with higher-pedigree prospects (Tij Iginla, Caleb Desnoyers, Joshua Roy), ice time will be even harder to find. Matikka enters the final year of his entry level deal in 2026-27, and this is effectively a last-chance season. Defensive gaps and an inability to sustain offensive stretches have kept him from earning coaches’ trust. Fantasy managers should drop him in all formats. The realistic outcome at this stage is an AHL or ECHL career. The NHL dream is fading fast without a dramatic improvement in all-around play.

After a tough first pro year with Utah, Matikka was an early cut from camp and will head to Tucson. There he will hopefully see a bigger role with the team. A year of pro under his belt now will help Matikka and he should show more offense than in 2024-25.

In his first season with the Utah Mammoth organization, Matikka split the season with their minor league affiliates, the ECHL’s Allen Americans and Tucson Roadrunners of the American Hockey League. He began the 2024-25 season with the Roadrunners before being sent to the ECHL on February 12, 2025. With the Americans, he played 25 games and recorded 12 points (five goals and seven assists). Matikka only contributed two assists in 25 games with Tucson. The 21-year-old forward is well off the fantasy radar and does not need to be rostered until he shows significant improvement in his development. If he can grow his game over the next two seasons, he could earn his second NHL contract and become a bottom-six forward option for the Mammoth; if he does not, he could be a player who ends up heading back to Europe to further his career.

In a surprise move, Matikka will leave Denver and sign his entry-level contract with the Utah Hockey Club. After a successful freshman campaign at Denver, the future potential power forward seemed ready for the next challenge.

Matikka had a very successful freshman year at Denver. Matikka had 20 goals and 33 points in 43 games, helping Denver bring home a NCAA championship. He was named to the NCHC All-Rookie Team and All-Tournament Team. Matikka will be back at Denver for 2024-25, where he will continue working on his power forward game and improving his speed and skating.