Coyotes AHL prospects review by Ryan Garner
Matthew Spiller – Matthew Spiller emerged as the leader of the Utah Grizzlies defensive corps during the 2004-05 season, his first full year in the American Hockey League. At 6’5, 230 pounds, the mammoth rearguard brought a dominant physical presence to the rink every night and shouldered a considerable amount of playing time on the Grizzlies top defensive pairing.
The 22-year-old defenseman benefited from 51 games with the Phoenix Coyotes during the 2003-04 season and it served him well playing for the Grizzlies. Possessing a 90-plus mph slap shot and a healthy mean streak Spiller quickly established himself as reliable two-way defenseman, posting three points in his first four games and punishing opposing forwards who dared to venture into the Utah zone. After 40 games he had eight points and a -9 patrolling the Grizzlies blueline. Injuries to Grizzlies defensemen caused Spiller to take on a larger role in the second half of the season and it seemed to take a toll on his performance. Over his last 40 games he only registered three points with a -17. Despite his poor second-half showing, Spiller garnered year-end honors as the Utah Grizzlies defenseman of the year. The Daysland, Alberta native finished the season with three goals and eight assists for 11 points in 80 games and a -26, third-worst in the league.
Selected by the Coyotes with the 31st overall pick at the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, he has the defensive instincts and physical attributes to be a reliable defensive defenseman in the National Hockey League for a long time. Spiller is still growing and maturing and should develop into an even more intimidating physical package in the next couple years.