He had plans on playing elsewhere but those plans fell apart.
He's now 21 games into his final season as a junior hockey player and while Dauphin may not have been his first-choice destination, he's thrilled that things worked out the way they have. Matthew Haun has become one of the team's top defenders and is enjoying every second of living in the City of Sunshine.
"I think things have been getting better as the season has gone on, I got off to a little bit of a slow start," said Haun. "Recently, I've been getting my confidence up and I feel that I've been playing well."
Haun, who was born in Washington, D.C, comes to the Kings after a solid season with the Rochester Grizzlies of the NA3HL. He had 41 regular-season and two playoff points with them last year. The NA3HL is regarded as a Tier 3 junior league south of the border while the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) is one of the top Junior A leagues in Canada.
The competition is stiff from night to night and as someone who prides himself on hard work and commitment, Haun is enjoying how competitive the league is.
"There is a lot more competition here compared to the NA3HL, you have to bring your A-game every night to have success," offered Haun. "It's a quick and physical game here. It's a great league with a lot of competition, it's exciting to be a part of."
As Dauphin beat their Parkland rival Swan Valley Stampeders on November 16, it was a milestone night for Haun. He scored his first MJHL goal and had one assist in a 5-2 victory.
"That felt great, I've had quite a few opportunities this year, they just haven't been going in for me," continued Haun. "After getting one, my confidence was up and that was very big for me. At the end of the day, very happy to help the team win games, that's what matters."
Matthew takes great pride in his defensive play and has become a shutdown defender for one of the most storied franchises in Canadian Junior A hockey. He is, however, starting to hit his stride offensively with six points in his last five games. He has three multi-point games in that time and four on the season. He's 11th in team scoring with one goal and eight assists while showing an outstanding ability to stay disciplined with just eight penalty minutes.
Heading into a home-and-home with the Virden Oil Capitals, Dauphin is on top of the MGEU West Division. With a record of 16-6-1, Dauphin has been one of the most consistent teams in the league and is just two points behind Steinbach for first place overall.
From October 20 to November 2, Dauphin won five straight games and overall, have points in 10 of their last 12 games. They're coming off an impressive 3-2 win over Portage and will look to keep the good times rolling against a division opponent that is currently chasing them.
"We have a great group this year, everyone is on board. We have a goal of making a deep playoff run and winning a championship," commented Haun. "It's nice showing up every day knowing that we have a great group and everyone is doing what is needed."
You can see Haun in action on Friday when the Virden Oil Capitals come to town. You can also hear Matt's full interview with Darnell Duff during the Dauphin Kings Power Play Show after the 4:00 p.m. News, Weather, and Business Report on 730CKDM on Friday afternoon.
Get to Know Haun:
Q: When did you get into hockey?
A: I wasn't big into it when I lived in Washington but when I moved to Minnesota, I started getting into it. That was when I was seven and the game was way bigger, I had to start playing.
During his high school days, Matt also played football and baseball. He had planned to play football and baseball in college but the school that he was going to didn't interest him. He decided to play his first year of junior hockey in his hometown and the rest is history.
"That's one of the best decisions that I have ever made," said Haun. "I believe I was always the most passionate in hockey, I just had more opportunities in the other sports. I was lucky enough to have a chance to play hockey after high school and I just ran with it. It's my favourite sport."
Q: What's your favorite memory on the football field?
A: We were playing a cross-town rival during the last game of my senior year and we were supposed to get hammered but we stuck in there until the last snap. It was too bad that we lost but it was a good game to end my football career.
Q: What about your favourite baseball memory?
A: During my junior year, we beat a team that was favoured twice, so that was awesome as we moved on in the playoffs.
Q: Do you have any siblings and what is your relationship with your parents?
A: I have one older sister who studies at the University of Minnesota and I am very close with my parents. I lived at home for the past two years playing junior hockey. It was tough leaving home but Dauphin has been great, it's like a second home to me.
Q: If you could go on a 2-on-0 breakaway with any teammate this year, who would it be and why?
A: I would say Cayden Glover, he's leading the league in goals and I feel we could do some damage.
Q: What's one of the most enjoyable vacations that you have been on?
A: My dad has family that has a beach house in Delaware and we go down there every summer for a week. It's great family time and my favourite thing to do.
As Haun prepares to play in front of the home crowd at Credit Union Place again on Friday, he wants to tip his cap to the fans.
"We play in an incredible facility and have such a great fanbase," ended Haun. "It's awesome to see the community show up and cheer us on, it's special to be a part of. Thank you, Dauphin."