Miko Matikka’s First AHL Goal: A Journey Through Adversity and Growth

The path to a professional hockey player’s first AHL goal rarely follows a straight line. For Finnish forward Miko Matikka, that journey included an NCAA championship, a challenging rookie season with limited production, a demotion to the ECHL, and the life-changing arrival of his first child. All those threads converged on October 19, 2025, when Matikka finally buried his first American Hockey League goal for the Tucson Roadrunners against the Calgary Wranglers, capping a weekend that saw three different Roadrunners record their first career tallies.

Matikka’s first AHL goal wasn’t just another marker on a scoresheet—it represented perseverance through adversity and personal growth both on and off the ice. After managing just two points in 28 games during his rookie campaign and spending significant time with the ECHL’s Allen Americans, the former third-round pick had to fight his way back to the AHL level and earn every opportunity. That fight made his breakthrough moment against Calgary all the more rewarding.

The journey to Miko Matikka’s first AHL goal with Tucson Roadrunners in October 2025

From NCAA champion to AHL rookie

Miko Matikka arrived in Tucson with impressive credentials. The 6-foot-3 Finnish winger had just completed a stellar freshman season at the University of Denver, where he played a crucial role in the Pioneers’ record-breaking 10th NCAA championship. Matikka finished the season with 20 goals and 33 points, becoming the first Denver freshman to score 20 goals since fellow Finnish forward Henrik Borgström accomplished the feat in 2016-17.

Selected by the Arizona Coyotes in the third round (67th overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft, Matikka signed his entry-level contract with the Utah Hockey Club organization following Denver’s championship victory. The expectations were clear: this was a power forward with size, skill, and a proven ability to find the back of the net. However, the transition from collegiate star to professional contributor proved more challenging than anticipated.

“I blacked out,” Matikka would later say about his first AHL goal. But the path to that moment began with considerable struggle and self-discovery.

Struggles and demotion to ECHL

Matikka’s rookie professional season in 2024-25 tested his resolve. After recording just two points in 28 games with the Roadrunners and enduring stretches as a healthy scratch, the organization made a decision that would ultimately prove pivotal. Matikka was assigned to the ECHL’s Allen Americans, a move designed to help him regain confidence and rediscover his scoring touch.

Rather than viewing the demotion as a setback, Matikka embraced the opportunity. He tallied 12 points (5 goals, 7 assists) in 25 games with Allen, including his first professional goal against the Kansas City Mavericks. The experience provided more than just statistical improvement—it offered perspective.

“Those guys were having a hard time as well,” Matikka reflected on his time in Allen. “Me going there, I tried to do my job and help the team a little bit. It gained me confidence I might have lost at the start of the year, but learning how hard it is and how many guys there are to take your spot, it’s eye-opening.”

The stint in the ECHL served as a catalyst. Matikka returned to Tucson for the offseason with renewed purpose, hitting the gym and working closely with Roadrunners head coach Steve Potvin to address the weaknesses in his game. His commitment extended beyond physical training—Matikka also sought mentorship and studied film to understand how he could better contribute at the AHL level.

October 19, 2025 - The special day arrives

Game details and goal description

The moment arrived during the Roadrunners’ fourth game of the 2025-26 season. Tucson was hosting the Calgary Wranglers in the finale of their 10th Anniversary Home Opening Weekend. After a scoreless first period that featured Montana Onyebuchi’s second fight of the season, the game remained locked at 0-0 early in the second frame.

At 5:26 of the second period, Matikka found himself in the right place at the right time. Defenseman Artem Duda collected the puck behind the net and delivered a perfect feed to Matikka in the slot. With a quick release, Matikka beat Calgary goaltender Owen Say blocker-side to give Tucson a 1-0 lead.

“I was trying to follow the plan we had,” Matikka explained afterward. “There was a loose puck, and I said that’s mine, and I put it in.”

The goal sparked an eruption from his teammates on the bench. The Roadrunners’ official Twitter account captured the moment: “Marvelous Miko Matikka putting us up 1 in the 2nd. First goal of the night and it’s by TUCSON.”

Team reaction and significance

Matikka’s goal held special meaning beyond the personal milestone. It marked the third consecutive night a Tucson player scored his first AHL goal, following teammates Noel Nordh and Daniil But who had accomplished the feat the previous evening against the same Wranglers squad. The Roadrunners were witnessing the emergence of their young talent in real-time.

Head coach Steve Potvin, who had witnessed Matikka’s struggles firsthand, recognized the growth his player had undergone. “He’s grown,” Potvin noted. “He’s a father now. He has responsibilities as a young man. I think that wakes you up. I think Matikka was a player who was wide open after he was sent down. He understood that there was some growth that he needed to go through, and now his eyes are wide open.”

The goal came just weeks after Matikka experienced another life-altering moment. On September 21, 2025, Matikka and his partner welcomed their daughter Monroe into the world. The combination of fatherhood and professional setbacks had matured the 22-year-old forward, providing clarity and purpose to his approach.

What it means for Matikka’s future

While the Roadrunners eventually fell 4-3 in overtime—earning three of four possible points on the weekend—Matikka’s breakthrough provided a promising sign for the organization. After taking 31 AHL games to score his first goal, the Finnish forward now aims to build on that success and become a consistent offensive contributor.

Matikka’s development trajectory aligns with the Roadrunners’ broader philosophy of cultivating NHL-ready talent for their parent club, the Utah Hockey Club. His combination of size (6-foot-3, 201 pounds), skill, and determination makes him an intriguing prospect for a team still building its identity in the NHL.

The early results are encouraging. Since scoring his first goal, Matikka has continued to generate offensive chances and establish himself as a physical presence. “I want to try to keep shooting, using my big body, and trying to use that to our team’s advantage, and trying to push the team forward,” he said. “I just want to keep shooting. It’s gonna come eventually.”

For a player who scored his first AHL goal during the team’s 10th anniversary season, Matikka’s journey represents a perfect microcosm of perseverance. The Roadrunners organization has seen plenty of talented prospects pass through Tucson Arena over the past decade, but few have displayed the resilience Matikka showed in overcoming early professional adversity.

October 19, 2025, will forever hold a special place in Miko Matikka’s memory—not just for the goal itself, but for everything it represented. From NCAA champion to struggling rookie to proud father and assertive AHL contributor, Matikka’s path exemplifies the dedication required to succeed in professional hockey. As the Roadrunners continue their season, they’ll look to Matikka to provide that same determination and scoring touch that finally broke through against Calgary.

The organization and its fans now wait to see if this milestone marks the beginning of a prolific AHL career rather than just a memorable moment. Based on Matikka’s work ethic and growth, both on and off the ice, the future appears bright for the Finnish forward who turned adversity into achievement.