Eriks Mateiko scores first AHL goal in Hershey Bears loss

"📸: Hershey Bears Washington Capitals prospect Eriks Mateiko scored his first AHL goal as a member of the Hershey Bears on Wednesday night. The 6-foot-6 Latvian centerman was the beneficiary of a great netdrive to the slot by Justin Nachbaur, who then slid the puck over to Mateiko for a one-timer from the right circle. The goal narrowed the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins' lead to 5-3 with 2:08 remaining in the game. The Bears would go on to lose 6-3."

"The tally marked Mateiko's second point of his professional career after he recorded an assist on a Spencer Smallman goal during a 5-4 loss to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on October 24. The rookie, who turned 20 on November 18, is currently playing his first season for the Bears after spending the 2024-25 campaign in junior as a member of the QMJHL with the St John Seadogs and Rimouski Océanic. Mateiko recorded 41 points (26g, 15a) in 47 games."

"His most significant moments of the season came in the 2025 World Junior Championship where he led Latvia to a huge upset victory over Canada, scoring the team's first goal of the game and the game-winning shootout goal. He also scored twice, including the overtime game-winner, in a 4-3 win over Germany and briefly led the entire tournament in goals after scoring twice against Sweden. Mateiko, a Capitals' third-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, has spent most of the season centering the Bears' fourth line, but has also seen time at wing. He lives with Bogdan Trineyev and Ilya Protas."

Eriks Mateiko scored his first AHL goal for the Hershey Bears on a one-timer from the right circle after Justin Nachbaur's netdrive, bringing the score to 5-3 late in the game. The goal was Mateiko's second professional point following an earlier assist on October 24. The 20-year-old rookie joined the Bears after a 2024-25 QMJHL season with St John Seadogs and Rimouski Océanic, where he tallied 41 points in 47 games. He starred at the 2025 World Junior Championship, is a Capitals' third-round pick, and has primarily centered the Bears' fourth line while also seeing time on wing; he lives with teammates Bogdan Trineyev and Ilya Protas.

Read at RMNB