Let’s get to know defender, Matt Sykes!
Sykes, 26, was drafted in the second round (25th overall) in 2019 by the San Diego Seals. The Oakville, Ont. product was later acquired along with a sixth-round pick by the Riggers in Feb. 2025 in a trade with the Seals for a compensatory first-round pick.
Suiting up in his second season with the Riggers, Sykes has seen his love for the game return playing in Calgary.
“Coming from San Diego, the travel is a lot easier,” he said. “I kind of lost my love for the game, in a sense, but just the traveling, I couldn’t really focus on the lacrosse aspect. And I found it again.”
That love for the game has translated well for the rugged defender inside the locker–room, where his role continues to grow.
“I’ve definitely found myself kind of moving into more of a leadership role,” he explained. “I mean, I came from a team that was a little older over the years, so I was always a young guy. And now, I mean, I’m 26, but probably the sixth oldest on the team, so it’s kind of just that leadership aspect of my game’s grown and my voice, which has helped me a lot in playing.”
Nickname: Syksy
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 220 lb.
Birthdate: July 17, 1999
Hometown: Oakville, Ont.
Shoots: Left
Calgary Roughnecks vs. Halifax Thunderbirds at the Scotiabank Saddledome. (Photo by Angela Burger/Calgary Flames)
Q: How did you get into lacrosse?
A: It’s a good question. I’m honestly not too sure. Neither of my parents played, which was the interesting thing. My dad was a big rugby and basketball guy. My mom was soccer. Then when I was four years old, I was given a stick, helmet and gloves and played in a T-shirt and shorts with my younger brother, so … it’s kind of how it started. I don’t know what made them do it, but that’s how it started.
Q: Occupation?
A: I work for the town of Oakville as an irrigation technician.
Q: Favourite athlete growing up?
A: I mean, I’m a huge MJ guy, but probably Dan Marino.
Q: Morning person or night owl?
A: I can do both, but I definitely love me a nap.
Q: If you could be a pro in any other sport, what would it be?
A: I’d probably be a football player.
Q: Do you have any superstitions?
A: Nope.
Q: What’s something people don’t know about you?
A: Off the floor I’m actually a pretty bubbly and friendly dude. A big teddy bear, my parents always say so.
Q: When you’re not playing lacrosse, what’s your biggest hobbies?
A: I love watching sports. Like I watch everything, every sport, whatever is on TV. I play all the fantasy stuff like that. I probably know stats that I shouldn’t about just random things in sports that I watch so much.
Q: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: I wanted to be like Horatio Kane. I actually wanted to be a CSI. Everyone grew up on kid shows. The first show I probably watched in full was Criminal Minds. And then I loved the CSI’s.
Calgary Roughnecks vs. Georgia Swarm at the Scotiabank Saddledome. (Photo by Angela Burger/Calgary Flames)
Q: Typical game day meal?
A: Something lighter, not too heavy, usually a Chipotle bowl on the road.
Q: Go-to Pre-game song?
A: I have a playlist that’s like super heavy metal rock that is not usually my genre, but that’s what I listen to before games.
Q: Favourite TV show or movie?
A: Criminal Minds.
Q: Dream vacation spot?
A: Bali.
Q: Cats or dogs?
A: Dogs.
Q: What would your entrance song be?
A: My style of play, probably, Here Comes the Boom by Nelly.
Q: If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A: An accurate answer would be a turkey sandwich. I mean, I’ve had a turkey sandwich for lunch every day since probably elementary school.
Q: Favorite cheat-meal after a win?
A: Not really. I would hammer a chicken sandwich if we could. I haven’t really done it very often, but like a spicy chicken sandwich.
