Stefan Matteau's father, Stephane, wasn't happy with how the QMJHL Blainville-Boisbriand Armada treated his son.
Stefan was released from the team after because of his "unacceptable" behavior, according to Blainville-Boisbriand. However, his father, who is a coach in the organization, believed that they were eager to make an example out of Stefan after he spent time with the New Jersey Devils earlier this season. "They released him on emotion and emotion only," Stephane Matteau said. "In the semifinals, he got speared and he retaliated - it's a hockey play - and they decided to sit him out the whole third period of a 1-1 game. Emotionally, he let coach know it was unfair the way he was treated for that moment and they went at it verbally and they kicked him off (the team) five minutes after the game." Devils GM Lou Lamoriello previously voiced his support of Blainville-Boisbriand's decision.

Stefan Matteau has been released by QMJHL Blainville-Boisbrand.
Matteau reportedly left the team after he was benched in the third period of Saturday's playoff contest. Blainville-Boisbrand has informed Matteau that "his behavior was unacceptable to our organization." The New Jersey Devils drafted Matteau with the 29th pick in 2012 and he even played in 17 NHL games this season. The Devils ultimately decided to return Matteau to the minors so that he could continue his development and participate in Blainville-Boisbrand's postseason run. "I have spoken to his general manager (Joel Bouchard) and there is a situation and he is not with the team," Devils GM Lou Lamoriello said. "You never like to hear something like this. I support the junior team in doing what they think is right. It's my understanding he will not be going back at the choice of the team." Lamoriello also voiced his support of Blainville-Boisbrand's decision, although he added that he hasn't talked to Matteau yet.

Stefan Matteau will probably be back in the lineup Thursday night.
He didn't play in the team's last game Tuesday versus Tampa. The rookie forward has one goal and two assists in 14 games. Tom Kostopoulos is also expected to be available to suit up after being claimed off waivers from Pittsburgh, but it's unclear if he'll play or if his presence will impact the playing time of Matteau.

Stefan Matteau is a "little banged up" so he'll sit in favor of Jacob Josefson on Sunday.
Neither forward is particularly fantasy-relevant at this point in their careers, although Matteau has great upside to eventually be a go-to guy.

Stefan Matteau will celebrate his 19th birthday on Saturday.
Matteau has two points in 10 NHL games. He's a physical forward, but he has some offensive upside as well. "I think he has the ability and the tools to be a top six forward and complement some of the high-skilled guys in the world that play in the top sixes around the league," Devils coach Pete DeBoer said. "He can skate with them. He has the vision and the hands to make a play with those type of players. He's 6-2 and he's probably going to play at 225 or 230 before he's done." DeBoer added that he could see Matteau developing into a David Clarkson or Scott Hartnell type of player.

Stefan Matteau skated on New Jersey's third line during Wednesday's practice.
He took the spot of Ryan Carter, who sat out the session due to a head injury. Matteau has been a healthy scratch for the last three games, but he could make his return with Carter questionable to play.

Stefan Matteau will spend Friday's game in the press box.
That's an early indication that Matteau might be the big loser in the Devils acquisition of Alexei Ponikarovsky. He has two points in nine games this season. Because he's already played in five contests, this will count as the first year of his entry-level contract regardless of how much the Devils use him.

Stefan Matteau recorded his first NHL goal in New Jersey's 3-1 win over Pittsburgh Saturday.
His second-period marker evened the game's score at 1-1 before the Devils took the good for good in the third frame. It took Matteau seven games to record his first NHL point. However, he should get more comfortable now that the first year of his entry-level deal has kicked in and he'll probably remain in the NHL for the rest of the year.

Stefan Matteau will leave the press box to play in Thursday's game.
Matteau served as a healthy scratch in four straight contests. He's re-entering the lineup because Dainius Zubrus has an upper body injury. Keep an eye on him, as he'll start the game on a line with Ilya Kovalchuk and Travis Zajac.

Stefan Matteau was a healthy scratch on Saturday afternoon against the Penguins.
The Devils are still deciding whether to return him to junior hockey after playing in five NHL games. New Jersey's first rounder from the 2012 draft does not have the projection of a big-time scorer, thus limiting his fantasy value this season. If the Devils do decide to send him down, he will continue playing for Blainville-Boisbriand of the QMJHL.

Stefan Matteau will be a healthy scratch on Thursday.
Once Matteau plays in his sixth game the first year of his contract kicks into play and he has already played five. Coach Pete Deboer said he wants the 18-year-old forward to watch the team's veterans from the press box.

Stefan Matteau will stay with New Jersey for now, according to GM Lou Lamoriello.
"He will not be going back immediately and we're not going to let his contract status get in the way," Lamoriello said. "We're going to continue evaluating this and a decision won't be made at this point." Matteau has played in five games already and if he participates in his sixth then the first year of his entry-level kicks in. It's unclear if he will be in the lineup on Thursday when the Devils host the Islanders.

Stefan Matteau played his fifth game with the Devils on Tuesday.
He expects to learn shortly if he's on his way back to junior hockey or if he's staying with New Jersey for the remainder of the year. "I'm guessing I'll have a meeting and figure out what's going on within the next two days before the next game," he said. "Whatever happens, happens, but I worked and I want to stay here for sure."

The New Jersey Devils will be forced to decide whether they want to keep Stefan Matteau at the NHL level before their next game against the New York Islanders on Thursday night.
The 18-year-old feels as though he's earned a right to stay with the Devils. "I'd like to think so. I worked as hard as I could and today we had a lot of opportunities, but it's not up to me. It's out of my control. I thought I played well," he said. Matteau cannot play another game with the Devils without this season counting off a year of his entry-level deal. Although he skated on the Devils' top line on Tuesday, he's averaging just eight minutes of ice time. If the Devils do decide to send him down, he will continue playing for Blainville-Boisbriand of the QMJHL.

Stefan Matteau got to start Sunday's game in Montreal on New Jersey's top line in front his parents, friends and junior teammates.
"It was great, a great experience having my family and everyone else here," he said. Matteau has one game remaining before the Devils decide to keep him on their roster or return him to the junior hockey and save a year on his entry-level deal. He has six shots and no points in four games this season, while averaging just 8:21 of ice time per contest, so it's reasonable to believe that he will be returning to the QMJHL.

Stefan Matteau practiced alongside Travis Zajac and Ilya Kovalchuk on Saturday.
That would be an incredible opportunity for Matteau is the Devils go with that line on Sunday. Matteau is searching for his first point after playing in three NHL games. We can't recommend picking him up at this time in standard leagues, but this line shakeup makes him worth watching.

Devils rookie Stefan Matteau made his NHL debut Saturday.
The 18-year-old left wing registered three shots on goal and a hit in 7:26 in ice time, skating on a line with Jacob Josefson and Cam Janssen. "Warm-ups was pretty special," said Matteau. "There were a lot of people here. I was very nervous, but as the game went on it went better and better. The Devils' first rounder from the 2012 draft does not have the projection of a big-time scorer, thus limiting his fantasy value this season.

Stefan Matteau has been skating with Dainius Zubrus and David Clarkson at training camp.
"He looks to me like he's going to be an NHL player and it's just a matter of when," coach Pete DeBoer said. Matteau could be attending camp just to see how far along his development is, which GM Lou Lamoriello hinted at on Sunday, but if he continues to impress then it may not be a stretch to see him play with the Devils on a five-game tryout before being sent back to junior.

Stefan Matteau will be joining the New Jersey Devils' training camp.
Matteau has 28 points and 70 penalty minutes in 34 QMJHL games this season. Don't count on him to make the Devils' squad, although Adam Henrique's thumb injury has created a possible opening.