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Former Avalanche Forward Announces Retirement
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- Former Avalanche Forward Announces Retirement
USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect
Former Colorado Avalanche forward Matt Nieto announced his retirement from the NHL on Monday, bringing an end to a 12-year career that saw him suit up for more than 700 regular-season games.
Nieto, 33, announced the decision through his personal Instagram account. The 2011 second-round pick established himself as a reliable bottom-six forward throughout his career, carving out a lengthy NHL career with his speed, defensive responsibility and ability to play in a variety of situations.
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Over 708 NHL games, Nieto recorded 206 points, including 87 goals and 119 assists. He also appeared in 62 playoff games, adding eight goals and 13 assists.
Nieto began his NHL career with the San Jose Sharks , the team that drafted him 47th overall in 2011. He made his debut during the 2013-14 season and spent his first three-plus seasons with San Jose before joining the Colorado Avalanche midway through the 2016-17 campaign.
His first stint with the Avalanche lasted through the 2019-20 season. Nieto became a dependable part of Colorado's bottom six during those years, often playing on a line with Carl Soderberg and Blake Comeau .
After leaving Colorado, Nieto returned to San Jose for three seasons before rejoining the Avalanche via trade during the 2022-23 season.
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The reunion came during a season in which Colorado was attempting to defend its Stanley Cup championship. Nieto appeared in 36 regular-season games for the Avalanche that season, recording four goals and nine points.
Following the season, Nieto signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins in free agency and played there for two seasons. He did not appear in an NHL game in 2025-26.
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