Matthew Wood (ice hockey)

Matthew Wood
Born (2005-02-06) February 6, 2005 (age 19)
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight 190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb)
Position Left wing
Shoots Right
NCAA team University of Connecticut
NHL draft 15th overall, 2023
Nashville Predators

Matthew Wood (born February 6, 2005) is a Canadian collegiate ice hockey winger for the University of Minnesota of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). He was drafted 15th overall by the Nashville Predators in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career

Wood was the youngest player in college hockey when he scored 11 goals and 34 points in 35 games playing for the University of Connecticut.[1] He was named to Hockey East's All-Rookie team.

International play

Medal record
Representing  Canada
Ice hockey
World U18 Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2023 Switzerland

At the 2022 Hlinka-Gretzky tournament, Wood put up five points in five games, winning a gold medal. At the 2023 U18 worlds, he led Canada with 13 points in seven games, winning bronze.[2]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2020–21 Victoria Grizzlies BCHL 18 5 8 13 4 — — — — —
2021–22 Victoria Grizzlies BCHL 46 45 40 85 33 5 2 3 5 10
2022–23 U. of Connecticut HE 35 11 23 34 4 — — — — —
2023–24 U. of Connecticut HE 35 16 12 28 43 — — — — —
NCAA totals 70 27 35 62 47 — — — — —

International

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2022 Canada U18 5th 4 2 0 2 0
2022 Canada HG18 1st place, gold medalist(s) 5 2 3 5 0
2023 Canada U18 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 7 7 6 13 6
2024 Canada WJC 5th 5 2 2 4 0
Junior totals 21 13 11 24 6

Awards and honours

Award Year
BCHL
All-Rookie Team 2022
First All-Star Team 2022
Rookie of the Year 2022
Brett Hull Trophy - Top scorer 2022
College
HE All-Rookie Team 2023 [3]

References

  1. ^ Cosentino, Sam. "Prospect of Interest: Matthew Wood, the youngest player in NCAA hockey". Sportsnet. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  2. ^ Masters, Mark (June 16, 2023). "UConn's Wood rides wave of confidence up NHL draft lists". TSN. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  3. ^ "Hockey East names 2022-23 Pro Ambitions All-Rookie Team". Hockey East. March 8, 2023. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Nashville Predators first round draft pick
2023 		Succeeded by