Matthew Wood of Nanaimo is listed as the eighth ranked North American skater for this summer's NHL Entry Draft in a mid-season report issued by Central Scouting. (Garrett James Photography)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

bright future

Nanaimo’s Matthew Wood highly ranked for this year’s NHL Entry Draft

Jan 13, 2023 | 4:45 PM

NANAIMO — Arguably the most talent player ever to come out of Nanaimo appears destined to be a first round National Hockey League draft pick in late June.

Central Scouting’s mid-season NHL Entry Draft rankings listed Nanaimo’s Matthew Wood as its eighth ranked North American skater.

Listed at 6’3” and 190 lbs., the 17-year-old forward is having a strong season at the University of Connecticut, collecting eight goals and 17 points in 22 games as an underage freshman.

The Nanaimo Minor Hockey product piled up 50 goals and 98 points in 64 BCHL games with the Victoria Grizzlies over the previous two seasons.

Wood turned heads by leading the BCHL by capturing the league’s Rookie of the Year award.

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He led the league last year with 45 goals and 85 points.

Wood was a member of Team Canada’s gold medal squad at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Red Deer last August.

He scored two goals and five points in five games at the tournament in Alberta.

Wood is the youngest player suiting up for an American collegiate hockey program this season.

Central Scouting’s mid-season report unsurprisingly listed Regina Pats phenom Connor Bedard as the top-ranked North American skater.

Wood was a second round pick of the 2020 WHL prospects draft, however he elected to take the junior A and collegiate hockey route.

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