The Macon Mayhem announced that forward Matteo Ybarra has signed with the team for the 2024-25 season.
Ybarra, hailing from Rochester Hills, Michigan, is is set to kick off his professional career this season as he prepares to step onto the ice for the first time with the Mayhem. His journey to becoming a professional hockey player has had its challenges; after sustaining an injury prior to his collegiate career, Ybarra temporarily paused his hockey ambitions to pursue an engineering degree at Michigan State University. Later, Ybarra would opt for a gap year which would allow him to return to the ice and to to train.
It took some time for Ybarra to make his return to collegiate hockey, but he ultimately found a place at NCAA Division III Finlandia University. Unfortunately, just a year later, the university shuttered its doors. Nevertheless, during his tenure there, Ybarra made a notable impact on the ice, scoring a total of 18 points, comprising 10 goals and eight assists, across 22 games.
After his season at Finlandia, he made the decision to transfer to Trine University, again competing at the NCAA Division III level. During his tenure at Trine last year, he amassed 20 points through seven goals and 13 assists in 27 games played.
As Ybarra gets ready for his professional debut, we are eager to see how he will carry his collegiate success into the professional world. Undoubtedly, his determination to pursue a hockey career and make the leap to going pro will set the stage for what could be an impressive rookie season with the Mayhem.
Ybarra will join teammates Hugh Anderson, Brandon Picard, Noah Robinson, Josh Boyko, Michael McChesney, Jarret Kup, Tao Ishizuka, A.J. Ryan, Jake Goldowski, Ben Brockway and Brad Jenion as the Mayhem kick off their season at the Macon Coliseum on October 19th, facing off against the Birmingham Bulls at home.
