Matthew Wood (ice hockey)

Matthew Wood
Wood with Minnesota in November 2024
Born	(2005-02-06) February 6, 2005 (age 20) Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
Height	6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight	190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb)
Position	Left wing
Shoots	Right
NHL team	Nashville Predators
NHL draft	15th overall, 2023 Nashville Predators
Playing career	2025–present

Matthew Wood (born February 6, 2005) is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger for the Nashville Predators of the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League (NHL). 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. During the 2023–24 season, in his sophomore year, he again led UConn in scoring with 16 goals and 12 assists in 35 games. ^[2] On April 8, 2024, Wood announced he would transfer to the University of Minnesota for the 2024–25 season. During his junior year he recorded 17 goals and 22 assists in 39 games. ^[3]

International play

Medal record
Representing   Canada
Ice hockey
World U18 Championships
	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. ^[4]

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	University of Connecticut	HE		35	11	23	34	4		—	—	—	—	—
2023–24	University of Connecticut	HE		35	16	12	28	43		—	—	—	—	—
2024–25	University of Minnesota	B1G		39	17	22	39	16		—	—	—	—	—
2024-25	Nashville Predators	NHL		6	0	1	1	2		—	—	—	—	—
NCAA totals				109	44	57	101	63		—	—	—	—	—

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2022	Canada	U18	5th		4	2	0	2	0
2022	Canada	HG18			5	2	3	5	0
2023	Canada	U18			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	[5]

References

1. Cosentino, Sam. "Prospect of Interest: Matthew Wood, the youngest player in NCAA hockey". Sportsnet. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
2. Gilchriest, Zach (April 25, 2024). "Predators First-Round Pick Matthew Wood Facing 'A Great Opportunity' After Transfer to Minnesota". NHL.com. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
3. Loucks, Dylan (April 8, 2024). "UConn's Matthew Wood transfers to Minnesota". The Hockey News . Retrieved April 8, 2024.
4. Masters, Mark (June 16, 2023). "UConn's Wood rides wave of confidence up NHL draft lists". TSN. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
5. "Hockey East names 2022-23 Pro Ambitions All-Rookie Team". Hockey East. March 8, 2023. Retrieved June 27, 2023.

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com , or  Eliteprospects.com , or  Hockey-Reference.com , or  The Internet Hockey Database

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Joakim Kemell	Nashville Predators first round draft pick 2023	Succeeded by Tanner Molendyk