A former Victoria Grizzlies hockey player is a first-round NHL draft pick.
Matthew Wood, 18, was selected 15th overall on Wednesday, June 28, by the Nashville Predators., the team that was hosting the National Hockey League draft.
Wood was born in Lethbridge, Alta., but lives in Nanaimo. He played junior A hockey with the Victoria Grizzlies and then played with the University of Connecticut Huskies of the NCAA Div. 1. The 6-foot-4, 197-pound forward was the No. 4-ranked North American player in NHL Central ScoutingB次元官网网址檚 pre-draft rankings.
B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 a big body who is growing into his frame,B次元官网网址� said David Poile, Predators president of hockey operations, in a club press release. B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 a goal scorer and heB次元官网网址檚 got size, and thatB次元官网网址檚 something we really wanted. We were fortunate to get a player like Matthew at 15th overall who we rated very high heading into the draft.B次元官网网址�
Wood led the BCHL in goals (45) and points (85) in his rookie season in 2021-22, then made the jump immediately to college hockey, where he led UConn in scoring with 34 points in 2022-23.
"I really loved my time in Victoria. I had some really great years there. Those seasons really helped prepare me for college. IB次元官网网址檓 really grateful to that organization, my coaches and my teammates, all the experiences I had there."
B次元官网网址� BCHL (@BCHockeyLeague)
-Matthew Wood on his time in the BCHL
READ ALSO:
The Preds had two first-round picks, as they went on to select defenceman Tanner Molendyk, from McBride, B.C., 24th overall.
B次元官网网址淎s IB次元官网网址檝e said before, when youB次元官网网址檙e coaching in the National Hockey League, youB次元官网网址檙e looking at guys who have impact,B次元官网网址� said Predators general manager Barry Trotz, in the release. B次元官网网址淏oth of these players have outstanding quality. Where they were on our list is exactly where we thought we might have gotten them.B次元官网网址�
Poile said the Predators are trying to add players they envision being on the team in two to three years.
B次元官网网址淲e got our goal scoring and size with our first pick, and we got our skating and speed with our second pick,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e looking for ingredients.B次元官网网址�
READ ALSO:
editor@nanaimobulletin.com
Like us on and follow us on
