Matthew Wood is the fourth-ranked North American skater in Central Souting's final pre-NHL draft report. (Garrett James Photography)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

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Nanaimo’s Matthew Wood climbs in final NHL entry draft rankings

Apr 18, 2023 | 4:23 PM

NANAIMO — An impressive ascent up the NHL prospect ladder continues for a talented forward who calls Nanaimo home.

Right-winger Matthew Wood, a standout freshman for the University of Connecticut, was listed as the fourth ranked North American skater in Central Scouting’s final rankings for this summer’s NHL entry draft.

The report released on Tuesday, April 18 represented a notable jump from the eighth-place ranking in the mid-season report released in mid-January by the NHL.

The first round of the NHL entry draft takes place on Wednesday, June 28 in Nashville, followed by rounds two through seven the next day.

Wood, who turned 18 in Feb., compiled 11 goals and 34 points in 35 regular season games to lead the U-Conn Huskies in scoring as an underage freshman.

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He was the youngest player on an American collegiate hockey roster this past season.

The 6’3”, 190 lbs. Wood led the BCHL last year as a 16-year-old with 45 goals and 85 points with the Victoria Grizzlies, where he also captured the league’s Rookie of the Year award.

Central Scouting’s final pre-draft ranking had North American forwards Connor Bedard, Adam Fantilli and William Smith listed ahead of Wood.

Wood was born in Lethbridge AB and grew up in Nanaimo, playing minor hockey locally before leaving the city in the 2019/20 season to play a year of academy hockey in West Vancouver.

Wood was a second-round pick of the 2020 WHL prospects draft, however, opted to play junior A and collegiate hockey instead.

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