He's a New York Rangers hero. If it wasn’t for Stephane Matteau, the Rangers would never have won the Stanley Cup in 1994. That title ended many years of frustration for fans and players. Matteau scored two overtime goals in the Eastern Conference Finals agains the New Jersey Devils, including one that is forever known as “Matteau, Matteau, Matteau", the iconic radio call of broadcaster Howie Rose. Stephane’s goal at 4:24 of the second overtime in Game 7 propelled the Blue Shirts into the Stanley Cup Final. The Rangers with stars like Mark Messier, Brian Leetch, Adam Graves and Mike Richter would go on and beat the Vancouver in seven games to win the 1994 Stanley Cup Championship.
Matteau joined SportsJam with Doug Doyle for a very personal talk about the 30th anniversary of his legendary goal and his foundation that helps kids learn the tools to combat anxiety and bullying.
Stephan Matteau will be featured in a May 23 NYC event that celebrates the 30th anniversary of his Game 7 double OT game winner vs NJD in '94. The event will include a panel discussion with Matteau, broadcaster Howie Rose, NYR teammates Mike Richter and Adam Graves along with former NHL stars Pierre Turgeon of the New York Islanders and Jim Dowd of the New Jersey Devils.
The evening which will take place at the Angel Orensanz Foundation at 172 Norfolk St. (5pm-10pm) will benefit both the Stephane Matteau Foundation and Dr. Reza Mehrazin at Mt Sinai Hospital, Department of Urology with bladder cancer research (on behalf of Howie Rose). Signed Rangers jerseys and special golf and MSG packages with Matteau will be just some of the items auctioned off that night.
Despite growing up as terrific athlete in Quebec with his long-time friend Pierre Turgeon (they also played on the Little World Series team together in 1982), Matteau says he always dealt with bullying and had bouts with anxiety and depression. His program helps kids in the Bronx, Brooklyn and beyond learn how to address those difficult situations.
"The kids I try to help have a beautiful smile in the morning but some of them are actually starving or have just one t-shirt, one pair of jeans and they are being bullied over and over because they don't fit in most of the time. I'm very sensitive about that. I was bullied when I was a kid. I had very low self-esteem. By talking to those kids I find out there's more of them to help so I created a program years ago."
Matteau is excited about the May 23 event.
"We want to raise money so my wife and I can buy clothing, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant and other items for kids. That's why I'm using my platform from the 1994 success to raise money to help more families."
Through the years, many fans have come up to Matteau and thanked him for scoring the big goal in 1994 that helped eliminate the Devils in game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
"Every time I go to Madison Square Garden it's magical. I hugged a 70-year old man who cried in my arms. I would have been uncomfortable 20 years ago, but I get it today. I think I'm a great ambassador for that moment. I think I'm very generous with the fans. They come up to me and tell where they were seating, what row and seat and who was with them or where they watched the series-clinching goal."
Matteau credits teammate Adam Graves for being a tremendous mentor in how to handle the publicity and proud Rangers faithful.
Both of his children, Stef and Alyson have played professional hockey. Now Matteau and his wife Sue are also enjoying their two young grandchildren.
You can SEE the entire SportsJam interview here.
