In 2018, Virginia native and UMD alum Matt Niskanen lifted the Stanley Cup with the Washington Capitals. They had just defeated the Golden Knights 4-1 winning their franchises first championship.

Click the video box below for the full interview between Niskanen and WDIO’s Alicia Tipcke.

Now, after a 13 year career in the NHL, the man known as “Nisky” is head coach of the Rock Ridge boys hockey team.

“The school decided to make a change, and once the job was posted, I applied and went through the interview process and was offered the position, and I jumped at the opportunity,” said Niskanen. “It’s really exciting. This is home for me and I’m excited to kind of get back into hockey after a couple year hiatus. We have a good group of kids here that really love the game and want to compete and get better. Looking forward to creating an environment where they can do that and compete for state tournaments.”

Niskanen himself helped lead Virginia-MIB to their first state tournament in 2005, then skated two seasons for UMD.

In 2005, he was drafted in the first round by the Dallas Stars. He’d go on to play for the Stars, Penguins, Capitals and Flyers.

It’s a career that’s taught the first-time coach a lot about how to run a locker room.

“I was fortunate to play for a long time after high school and played for a bunch of different coaches, some good, some bad, and different team chemistries between the organizations where I was at. I’ve learned what a good locker room looks like, what a culture looks like. Hopefully I can relate that to the kids. Kind of build a culture of competing, practicing well, always striving to get better. High school hockey should be the best time of your life, and it was for me. I want the kids to experience that here too.”

Niskanen retired from the NHL in 2020.

He takes over the Rock Ridge program from Ben Johnson, who’s contract was not renewed.

Related stories:

Rock Ridge hires Matt Niskanen as next boys hockey coach

Rock Ridge does not renew Ben Johnson’s contract as boys hockey coach