As the clock approaches midnight for historic Matthews Arena, thousands of people in the world of sports and the Greater Northeastern Community have taken time to reflect on their time within the hallowed walls on St. Botolph Street. More than a hockey arena, Matthews Arena has been a home base, a destination, a meeting area intersecting sports, politics, entertainment, and more for over a century. Everyone who has walked through the famous arched entrance has a memory of the arena they hold dear. We’ve spoken with fans, alumni, former players, and coaches past and present to gather their favorite Matthews moments to preserve them in time so that those memories may never fade even when the building has gone away.
This feature on the beloved arena is broken up into three parts: one for the coaches who have led their teams from behind the benches; one for the players who enthralled us for decades with their successes and their passion playing for their school; and one for the alumni and fans who have been the lifeblood of Husky hockey and basketball for over 100 years. We reached out to nearly 40 former players for this section, and appreciate everyone who responded taking the time to speak with us, and feel privileged to share the memories and moments so many people hold dear from Matthews Arena.
The Players
Aidan McDonough, ’23, current player for the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre Penguins: “The best memories I have of Matthews is spending time in the locker room. We would spend countless hours before and after practice hanging out, eating, watching games…just being college kids and having a place where you can hang with your best friends and not worry about school or anything…I’ll never forget playing at Matthews in high school when I was committed to NU. I played a game there for my club team and the thought of spending 4 years there in college at that time was so exciting. The ceiling, the stands, and the history stood out but that was my first time skating on that ice and it made me so excited for the future…The game we won in a shootout versus BU my junior year always sticks out to me. The crowd was electric and it felt like everybody in Boston was at that game. The game itself was back and forth and it was probably the best crowd I played in front of at Matthews.”
Alina Müller, ’23, current player for the PWHL’s Boston Fleet: “Celebrating the Hockey East Championship in 2022 at home has definitely been my favorite moments in Matthews Arena during my college career. The DogHouse was packed and the mega band was out, creating such a unique atmosphere to play in. Everybody stayed out after the game and cheered with our team during the ceremony. It was probably one of the first moments where I truly started to believe that sold out arenas can become a reality in women’s hockey too.”
Adam Reid, ’15, former captain of the Men’s Hockey team: “When I think about Matthews, I appreciate how fortunate I was to be a small part of the history of a building that holds so many special memories for generations of people. It’s a building where we hosted national champions, Hobey Baker winners, future NHLers, Hall of Fame coaches, and legends of college hockey. It will forever carry a feeling of home to me and so many others.
My senior year, we got off to a slow start before hosting #3 Minnesota at home the Friday after Thanksgiving. Despite being considerable underdogs, we were able to pull off a home win – and for some reason the team salute to the Doghouse after that game is the one I remember the most in 4 years. It turned out to be the spark our team needed, and we finished the regular season on a 13-4-2 run. Off the ice, I had worked Facilities the summer prior, eventually working Jake Negrotti, Bill Smith, Mark Bates and many others installing the ice at Matthews arena. I was glad to stack up a few more home wins after that November…I was beginning to think the ice we installed was cursed.
Now getting to work with Rob Rudnick [and] Ben Weiss on Huskies Radio, I’m fortunate to appreciate Matthews from a new perspective. They are a regular reminder that as many nights I’ve had at Matthews, it’s the people I’ve experienced them with that make the most difference. Laura and I welcomed our son Luke to the world last July. Getting to bring him onto the ice this past October after one last alumni skate at Matthews is something I’ll always cherish.”
Vinny Borgesi, ’26, current captain of the Men’s Hockey team: “That first game for me, being a freshman, scoring that overtime goal, it was pretty special. You know, a guy who didn’t know much about college hockey, didn’t really know what to expect when I got here on campus. For me, when I walk in, I put my head down every single day, showed up to work every day, and it paid off there. That’s a moment I’ll probably never forget, I still have that puck in my room.”
Brad Thiessen, 2006-2009, retired Stanley Cup champion with the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins: “A lot of fond memories thinking back on my time playing at Matthews. When I was recruited to Northeastern, being from the west coast of Canada I had no idea the background and history of Matthews Arena. It was an eye opening experience to step on the ice as a freshman, look around and feel the history of everyone who went before and was a part of making that rink what it was.
I think for me the best moments and memories I had were a culmination of 3 years, building our team and the excitement in our team that reached its peak in my junior season. That year you could feel the energy around the campus, and going to the home games at Matthews became an event that everyone needed to be at. Skating out onto the ice for warm up and seeing the students already filling the Doghouse, it gave us as players extra adrenaline to go and play in front of them.
Specific games/moments from that season would be games against UNH, the Doghouse had a real hate on for JVR so those 2 games were filled with extra passion and dislike for him. Then obviously the rivalry games with BU/BC. We were highly ranked, those teams were highly ranked so it was a packed rink with tons of energy. A 1-1 tie with BU, coming back to tie BC in the last minute and winning in OT to give us a chance to win Hockey East was a memory I will always have. And then my last home game at Matthews, a tough 3 game first round series with UMass, being able to celebrate another OT win in front of the DogHouse knowing we were going to the Garden. So many memories from Matthews, again especially from that last season because of the passion the students brought in a memorable season.”
Brendan Collier, ’17: (This conversation took place over the phone with the writer transcribing and paraphrasing stories) “Dating back to when I was in high school, when I was at Latin Academy, we’d play at Matthews Arena. I scored my first high school goal for Latin Academy, against Snowden High School, at Matthews Arena, and my sister did too (for Boston Latin School). I slept in there in high school one time when I missed my train when I was in high school coming back from Hyde Park. I remember as a kid, seeing the balcony, it was just the coolest thing to see for a hockey arena. (Brendan goes on to mention that playing at Matthews was a deciding factor when he decided to transfer in 2014 after his freshman year at Boston University).
One of the best things I remember was coming back from winning Hockey East in 2016, with the DogHouse waiting behind the zamboni doors to surprise us. My favorite game, selfishly, was the one where we beat Minnesota my sophomore year. It was the first goal I scored for Northeastern, I took a slapshot and the stick snapped in my hand, so I was celebrating with no stick in my hand. I roomed that year with Kevin Roy, Dustin Darou, and Mike McMurtry, and me and Kevin and Dustin all scored that game. It was so cool beating Minnesota. (Editor’s note: It was also the program’s 500th win at Matthews Arena, which Brendan didn’t know.) Also Michigan State was cool, the holiday showcase against them (where men’s and women’s basketball also played Michigan State at Matthews Arena).”
Mike Jamieson, ’17: “It’s so hard [to pick just a few memories]. I just would want to say how close our teams were those years. We had the tightest locker room, we loved each other. It was so much damn fun to show up there everyday – as a guy who didn’t even play that much I felt that way everyday and I know every other guy did too. Rob Moura our equipment guy, the staff, trainers- everyone loved being there it was like contagious positive energy. I’ve never been in a locker room like that where every guy cared just as much if not more about their teammates and their success as they did their own – that’s hard to find.
As far as Matthews arena memories, I have to mention Jake Negrotti and how close we were. I worked the rink with him after practice a lot and in the summer. Rest his soul. [The other facilities guys], Greg Shields, Curtis, Jason, Batesy, Smitty – I’ll forget some. But those guys were all a part of it for me. Always had a smile on their faces, always chirping and making it fun.
We made everything fun. We loved being together. And we won together. Now my summers are filled with going to my teammates weddings and finding when the next time we’re going to see each other. Our group chats go off every single day. We’re all brothers for life. That’s how I will remember Matthews arena and my time there.”
Skylar Irving, ’25, current player for the PWHL’s Montréal Victoire: “I think there are two that really stand out, the first one being the 2025 Beanpot semifinal against Boston College where the place was packed, you could really feel the school love. The second was definitely the 2022 Regional Final against Wisconsin that sent us to the Frozen Four. The game was electric, and beating them after the team lost the year before in the NCAA Championship Game was super cool. Honestly, to just pick a few is so tough because there have been countless memories, from when I took my first tour and saw the rink for the first time and told my dad “I want to play in that rink for the rest of my college career,” to the Hockey East championships that we won there. I think the rink is incredibly special to everyone who got the honor to play in it. There truly is no rink quite like Matthews Arena.”
Zak Stone, ’14: “Matthews is a special place. Spent four years there. The best memories that I remember from that place are from the locker room, the down time, the pranks that we would pull on each other, including our equipment manager in them…all of us rode bikes throughout the arena. One prank had my bike hanging from the rafters from Matthews, and I still have that image in my head. After the season the ice would come out and we’d play football in the offseason there, it was such a special place. Going back now these last few years with my kids, I’m going to miss it. It’s a place I will never ever forget. There’s no other arena like it still standing at this point.” Editor’s note: Stone also shared in-person that his son being able to skate on the ice during an intermission skate with his mites team was one of the coolest moments of his life, and the fact that his son got to skate where he played college hockey is something that he will treasure forever.
Devon Levi, 2020-2023, current goaltender with the AHL’s Rochester Americans: “The atmosphere and energy in the rink when it’s packed with Northeastern fans and students is unlike any other place I’ve played. But some of my favorite memories were when the rink was completely empty. Whether it was being there with the guys or stretching alone late at night, the place had a timeless stillness to it. The vastness of the arena made it feel like the world outside was paused for a second, and all that existed was what was inside. It felt alive in a way. Peaceful and calm like home.”
Leon Hayward, ’02, current assistant coach of St. Thomas University: “One of my favorite games was the Surge game. I was only a recruit at the time but it was a TV game against BU and it was awesome to see Matthews rocking. As a player there were two weekends: Sweeping Maine when they were #1 in the country at Matthews, and also beating Wisconsin in OT at Matthews when they were #1 in the country.“
Eric Williams, ’19, former captain of the Men’s Hockey team: “I remember the first day I stepped on the ice at Matthews my freshman year, being in awe of the thought of all those red seats being filled with Husky fans cheering us on. My favorite memories include knocking off top ranked teams such as St. Cloud, to sold out hockey and basketball games on a weekend series against Michigan State, and the first time we played a game featuring that massive new Jumbotron. Big playoff wins against Maine & UMass that sent our team to the Garden where we would win numerous trophies in front of our beloved DogHouse – who always travelled to support their dogs. The signature player signs and chants would fill the arena with a passion that remains unmatched throughout college hockey. The legend of Matthews Arena will live on forever for all who had the good fortune of playing and witnessing a game in the historic old barn.”
Keni Gibson, ’05: “As a small town Canadian kid there was nothing better than being able to play at Matthews Arena and be part of hockey history. From the first time I walked through the arch on my recruiting trip to my last game on senior night I knew I was part of something very special. Sharing that with my teammates, the DogHouse, friends and family is something I will cherish forever. [My favorite memory], my first start and win Oct 19th 2001 vs Mercyhurst… leading the team onto the ice while the DogHouse cheered us on! Makes me smile every time I think about it. Last year I was able to watch a game with my father one last time and my son for the very first time, was as great as being able to step on the ice. Matthews won’t stand much longer but it will always be a big part of who I am. Of all the photos I have from my time at NU this one of my dad and son last year is my favourite.”
Jordan Harris, ’22, currently player for the NHL’s Boston Bruins: [Comments via ADV Video Northeastern] “It’s the feeling when you walk in, it just feels like home. Not many places feel like that over the course of your career…my freshman year, maybe the second weekend of the season, we played St. Cloud, and we beat them in overtime, and I’d never experienced anything remotely close to that, it was so cool, like, this is college hockey, this is what I signed up for. It just blew my mind, and really introduced me to Matthews. College I feel like is such a developmental time in your life, and just thinking about all the practices and all the games, how much you grow as a player but also as a person, you just make so many memories, and it becomes a special spot, like I said, feels like home.”
In a separate interview with NESN on The Hockey Hub, Harris added more Matthews Arena thoughts: “It’s sad, not only because of my memories there but also Boston sports. Right? Like, it’s more than just Northeastern, more than just my four years there. So many legacies and great athletes have come through that building…I loved my time at Northeastern, and the rink was one of the things I remember from touring, when I toured as a potential player to go there, that was one of the things that stood out to me was how cool the rink was and how cool it would be to play college hockey there.”
Chris Nilan, 1976-79, retired two-time Stanley Cup winner with the Montreal Canadiens: “My memories of Matthews go back to the 70’s when it was the Boston Arena. I played high school games there with Catholic Memorial. It’s sad to see it go as it is a building that had so much character. The balcony, the smell, the entryway, even a rat here and there. The late Ken Dryden told me last year that the arena was his favorite building to play in college. It was mine also thanks to Coach Flaman.”
Sebastien Laplante, ’93, former Northeastern assistant coach: “In the fall of ‘89, my freshman year, a group of loud fans started signing songs in French incorporating my name in those songs. My teammates on the bench started asking me: who are those guys? Do you know them? I did not know them. But shortly thereafter, I met them. There was a program back then where French students would complete their education at NU and they adopted me because I was the only French speaking player on the team. Some of them are to this day, my best friends.
There was a cat that used to live inside the building. The maintenance guys who had their offices in the back of the rink, they would feed it. The cat would walk around the building all the time, but would hide when the crowds came into Matthews as it was not a big fan of crowds. But we would see it roam around the building during practices. [It] managed the rodent population in the 80’s and 90’s. Our weight room when I first got there in ‘89 looked like the “trash compactor” from Star Wars. Some benches and weights surrounded by a bunch of abandoned equipment dimly lit!”
Jack Williams, 2022-25, current player for the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters: “I think my favorite memories from Matthews would just have to be the rivalry games, playing against BU and BC. It was always so loud in there and the atmosphere was like something I have never experienced anywhere else. Just being able to practice in that great arena for 3 years was such and amazing experience. I loved how gritty it was, and all the history that went with it.”
Brandon Hawkins, ’19, current reigning ECHL MVP and captain of the Toldeo Walleye: “Honestly I fell in love with the place on a tour when I was [in juniors] on Little Caesar’s [2011-2012] and Garret Vermeesch was still on the team since he grew up 2 streets from me! Honestly any game vs BU or BC when the DogHouse was packed, it was one of the coolest atmospheres in hockey! But senior year, when we beat Maine to move on to hockey east finals at the garden would probably be the top for me when they had Swayman and Keeper and Trailmaks as well as Pearson I think!”
Cam Lund, 2022-25, current player for the AHL’s San Jose Barracuda: [Comments via ADV Video Northeastern] “Matthews is special to me because I had a great three years at Northeastern. I enjoyed coming to the rink every single day, and I’ve made so many friends along the way. Everyone on the staff were super supportive. I wouldn’t trade that for anything. Playing games here was great, I would say the start of the year, every first home game every year would be my favorite, seeing all the fans come out, and that atmosphere, all the students makes it special. I’m going to remember being able to show up with my teammates every single day, whether it was for practice or a game. The feeling you have walking into the rink, there’s just so much history behind it.”
Mike McLaughlin, ’12, former captain and assistant coach of the Men’s Hockey team: “I think everyone recalls their first college goal, I was fortunate for it to be at Matthews against Vermont. We were a top 5 team in the country all year that year and had incredible crowds for every game. What made that even more memorable was that my mom had flown in for the game and was sitting right by the glass where I scored, so I was able to celebrate with her!
As a coach, you really appreciate the beauty of Matthews during the early morning skates and skills sessions. I think every hockey player recalls the early mornings at the rinks, hearing the buzz of the lights turn on and that unforgettable smell of fresh ice in the morning. Walking into Matthews before the sun came up and stepping on the ice with players who eventually got to achieve their dream of playing pro hockey is something I’ll never forget.”
Laura Schuler, ’93, former captain of the Women’s Hockey team and Team Canada Olympian: [Comments via ADV Video Northeastern]”My favorite memory at Matthews was probably just sitting in the locker room with my teammates, and some of the emotions I would experience before big games. I just remember feeling so nervous, and those feelings of anticipation that you only get when you get to do something you really truly, genuinely care about…Matthews Arena is such a special place for me, to be able to skate at a facility that was home to the Boston Bruins and so many elite NHL players. Back then, to be given that opportunity to play at an arena like that was just so special and to me it represented a place that valued women in sports, valued women’s ice hockey, and it was really at the forefront of growing the women’s game. For me, I take so much pride in just being a little piece of that puzzle, part of that history, so to me it represents the legacy of hockey on both the men’s and women’s side, and being at the forefront of growing the women’s ice hockey game.”
Brian Deeth, ’07: “I think for me, its two things about Mathews Arena: Hanging with our teammates in the locker room, and the fans. We would hang in the locker room for hours after practices, chatting it up and telling stories. That’s the stuff we’ll remember forever. And the fans, the DogHouse, the greatest student section in all of college hockey! They prove that every year at the Beanpot. Those Beanpot games were always special, even when we lost (which was the worst feeling). I still remember those games to this day… One of the greatest awards I received at NU was the DogHouse Fan Favorite Award, given to me by Cowboy Daniel Paredes, Andrew Sullivan and Aren Ghazarians. Along with Tim Fouche, those guys are some of the greats who led the DogHouse for so many unbelievable years. That’s what’s made Matthews Arena so special. It’s the team and the fans, and the connection we all had for so many years…I still speak to several members of the Dog House all the time.
My wife, Kim, and I had fun looking through photos, especially Kim who’s also an alum. Now with our kids, who are huge NU fans who have been to a few games! I think it’s a cool piece to write about, the culture at NU and how we (the alums) have so much pride for the university and the hockey program. It shows with how important it is to us to bring our kids around and get them exposed to the school and Matthews Arena. I’ve been super lucky (as a sponsor of the Youth Skate for the last several years with Jersey Mike’s), my son’s hockey team has skated during the intermission over the last two years. That’s something he will never forget and still talks about all the time!”
Jim Fahey, ’02, former captain of the Men’s Hockey team and retired NHLer: “The most notable time for me at Matthews was playing with all my roommates in our senior season- Chris Lynch, Jason Braun, Leon Hayward, and Will Levesque to name a few. Another was the 2001-2002 season, we played Boston College at Matthews Arena. We ended up winning 4-3: it was in October 20th, 2001, they were a highly ranked team who I think beat North Dakota in the 2001 national championship the previous year. We also had a 19-17 record that year, 12-4 at Matthews. So it’s just a great experience to own that barn in our final season that year, it was awesome. The DogHouse was a competitive advantage we enjoyed very much.”
Zach Solow, ’21, former captain of the Men’s Hockey team: “I love Matthews and will miss it greatly. I will never forget my first home game in front of the DogHouse vs Sacred Heart. It was special. I will also NEVER forget the first time we played BU at Matthews. We had special jerseys, it was a packed barn and Nolan Stevens scored one of our first shifts of the game…the ice was vibrating. I think we went on to win like 6-1 that night. One of my most fond memories of that historic building. To this day I still try to find the Matthews Arena similarities in the buildings I play in. Nothing compares and nothing comes close to the DOGHOUSE! Well maybe the fans of The Adler…”(Editor’s note: Solow currently plays for Adler Mannheim in the DEL in Germany).
Multiple Men’s Basketball alumni contributed to a video for ADV Northeastern including former NBA champion JJ Barea, former players now coaches Matt Janning, Joel Smith and Brian McDonald, and former players Manny Adako, Jordan Roland, Jahmyl Telfort.
We also wanted to link to articles written by Alena Kuzub for News at Northeastern as well as Ian Kennedy at The Hockey Writers who have more quotes from Women’s Hockey alumna gathered at the final women’s game this past weekend, including quotes from Kendall Coyne Schofield, Florence Schelling, Aerin Frankel, and Dyer Hayes. As we count down the final days of Matthews Arena, we will have Part Three of this feature coming later this week, featuring the coaches who led their teams in shaping these moments at Matthews Arena. Part One featuring memories from over two dozen alumni and fans was published Monday afternoon.
As always, go Huskies.