Nieto among Californians showing they belong in NHL

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Matt Nieto's tale is straight from Disney.

Mexican American toddler in Southern California falls in love with a plastic hockey stick and a brand new hockey team - one named for a Disney movie. He baffles his parents by spending hours re-enacting what the Mighty Ducks do on television.

Despite no hockey pedigree or family connection, despite being teased by kids in his rough Long Beach neighborhood, despite the lure of 80-degree days at the beach rather than 6 a.m. calls at a hockey rink, the boy grows up to become a skilled hockey player.

Fast forward to Thursday night: Matt Nieto, a 21-year-old rookie, will suit up for the Sharks, playing against his favorite childhood team, the Anaheim Ducks. For first place in the NHL's Pacific Division.

"Yeah, it's been really crazy," said Nieto, flashing the kind of smile Disney heroes always have. "I wasn't expecting all of this in my first year."

Nieto is the fruit of the seeds Wayne Gretzky planted in California a quarter century ago. The NHL's Johnny Appleseed came to the Kings and helped give birth to West Coast teams like the Sharks and the Ducks. What followed was a wave of California children enamored with the sport (the Jeff Friesen stick mounted on the wall in my son's childhood bedroom is evidence of a California boy's hockey obsession).

California kids who grow up to be NHL players are still a novelty. But Nieto - who started playing roller hockey while in diapers, moved to ice at age 5 and then played for a highly regarded Los Angeles club - had five club teammates who have been drafted by the NHL.

One, Emerson Etem, has been Nieto's best friend since they were learning roller hockey and potty training together. He was the Ducks' first-round draft pick in 2010. Though Etem's been in the minors, Nieto received a text Thursday.

Long Beach native Matt Nieto has become a key player with the Sharks, recording 10 goals and 12 assists in 56 games. Long Beach native Matt Nieto has become a key player with the Sharks, recording 10 goals and 12 assists in 56 games. Photo: Christopher Pasatieri, Getty Images Photo: Christopher Pasatieri, Getty Images Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Nieto among Californians showing they belong in NHL 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

"I'm playing you tomorrow."

If Etem is indeed called back up for Thursday's showdown, well, get Disney on the phone.

The Sharks are less concerned with the fairy-tale nature of Nieto's story and more interested in its daily application, which has been tremendous. The rookie is one reason that, despite a rash of key injuries and an Olympics-interrupted schedule, the Sharks are battling for first place.

"He's made a huge impact on our team and organization," said coach Todd McLellan.

Nieto was drafted by the Sharks in 2011, after his freshman year at Boston University. He had left home at age 14 to attend boarding school and play hockey in Connecticut. After one year at Salisbury School he went on to play for the national team program in Michigan, where he finished high school.

He played three years at BU, before opting to leave early and join the Sharks.

"I thought it was amazing to get a chance to play back in California," he said. "I'd been away from home for so long."

During a summer tournament, McLellan noticed Nieto - his speed makes him stand out - and thought, "this kid can play." But the Sharks had a budding star in rookie Tomas Hertl and Nieto was considered a long shot.

"All the attention went to Tomas and I think that helped Matt," McLellan said. "That gave him some breathing room as a rookie."

"To be honest, I thought that if I even played a couple of games up here I would be happy," Nieto said. "I just wanted to make the most of it."

But because of injuries - particularly the season-ending knee injury to Hertl in mid-December - Nieto got an opportunity.

And he has made the most of it. Instead of "a couple of games" he's played in 56. He's scored 10 goals and has 12 assists and has moved up to one of the key lines.

"There was a spot open for any takers and he rose to the occasion," said Patrick Marleau, who is Nieto's linemate along with Logan Couture. "His confidence is just getting better and better. He understands the system, which is the biggest thing for a young guy."

The team captain agrees.

"He's a very reliable player," Joe Thornton said. "To be playing on a line with Patty and Logan, to have all that responsibility for a 21-year old is big."

Nieto is mature beyond his years. Part of that is leaving home at 14. Some of it may also be from learning to deal with family issues and challenges.

Nieto has a sister, Erin, with Down syndrome, who is 14. When he can, Nieto volunteers at the school she attends. Just as Nieto was leaving for training camp in August, he learned that his mother, Mary, had breast cancer. She recently finished chemotherapy.

"It has been hard, especially because I can't be with her," Nieto said. "But the Sharks have been great helping me deal with it."

"He's very strong," McLellan said. "Just the way he carries himself."

Nieto's parents were born in California but all four grandparents are from Mexico. He's in a rare group, along with Scott Gomez and teammate Raffi Torres, and is proud of his Mexican heritage and chance to be a role model for the NHL.

"The Hispanic population in California is so large," said Nieto, who wishes that he learned to speak Spanish growing up (though French or Russian could be more useful in hockey). "When I was growing up, a lot of people thought it was kind of crazy that I was playing hockey."

It's not crazy, but it is still a little surreal. McLellan's 18-year-old son Tyson, who grew up in California, is now playing in the U.S. Hockey League in Waterloo, Iowa. Nieto is part of a new wave.

"It goes to show you can play if you're a kid from California," McLellan said. "That dream can come true."

When you wish upon a star, and all that.