Matthew Wood of Nanaimo will represent Canada on the international stage over the Christmas holidays at the annual World Junior Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden. (TSN)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Nanaimo's very own

‘He just scores goals:’ Matthew Wood of Nanaimo makes Canada’s world junior team

Dec 13, 2023 | 3:33 PM

NANAIMO — Local hockey fans will have even more of a reason to be invested in the annual World Junior Championship (WJC).

Following a three-day selection camp in Ontario, Matthew Wood of Nanaimo was named to the Team Canada roster for the 2024 WJC which starts on Boxing Day in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Canada”s 23-man roster to include Wood was perhaps not surprising based on comments made by head coach Alan Letang on Tuesday.

Letang was impressed by the rangy forward’s finishing ability while referencing a goal Wood scored in a 4-2 win over a U Sports selects team.

“He just scores goals, you give him a chance inside the hashmarks around there and he overpowers the goalie…that’s what he does, give him the puck inside the dots,” Letang told TSN.

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After learning he had made the team, Wood told TSN he was relieved to hear the great news and that his first phone call was to his parents.

“I’m very fortunate and grateful to have this opportunity and obviously they helped me get here.”

Instead of spending the Christmas break in Nanaimo, Wood will be in Sweden trying to help Canada win a third straight world junior gold medal.

“It’s a really special tournament, and I’m just going to try to enjoy every day and help the team win.”

Wood, 18, leads the University of Connecticut Huskies in scoring as a second year player with seven goals and 12 points in 17 games.

Wood already has considerable experience representing Hockey Canada internationally.

The 6’3′, 190 pound Wood shone at last April’s Under 18 Championship in Switzerland, registering 13 points in seven games to help Canada secure a bronze medal.

Wood participated in the Under 18 Championship as an under-aged 16-year-old in 2021 in Texas.

The former Victoria Grizzlies standout and BCHL rookie of the year was selected 15^th overall by the Nashville Predators in this past June’s NHL Draft.

Wood and his Team Canada teammates persue another WJC gold medal starting on Dec. 26 against Finland at 5:30 a.m. Pacific time.

Team Canada’s 2024 WJC roster. (Hockey Canada)

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