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Photo credit: Garrett James Photography
In 2022, Matthew Wood was the youngest player in NCAA Division I hockey at 17 years old. After completing his first full season with the BCHL’s Victoria Grizzlies in 2021-22 and capturing the league’s Rookie of the Year award, as well as the scoring title with 85 points in 46 games, he made the jump to college hockey a year early, suiting up for the University of Connecticut (UConn) for his freshman season that fall.
Despite his youth, he finished his rookie year in the NCAA with 34 points in 35 games and was named to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team at season’s end.
Even though he enjoyed success right away, there was still a steep learning curve for the Nanaimo, B.C. native.
“It was a big jump,” he said. “College is a really good league. It’s older, faster and stronger, so everything jumps up to the next level. I started to kind of figure it out after the Christmas break and I just kept going from there. It took a little while for me to adjust, but I kept trying to do what I’m good at and just keep getting better overall.”
His success during his freshman collegiate season led to him being a top prospect for the 2023 NHL Entry Draft in Nashville, Tenn. where he was selected in the first round (15th overall) by the hometown Predators.
“It was a really special week,” Wood recalled. “I had my family there, of course. It was the first big step in the right direction for me. I was just able to enjoy the moment. Being picked by Nashville in Nashville was a really cool experience as well. It was one of the best memories I have.”
He went on to play one more season at UConn before transferring to the University of Minnesota for his junior year last season where he enjoyed his best statistical season in college, finishing at a point per game with 39 in 39 contests, to go along with 17 goals.
When his season ended with Minnesota, it was time to take the next step in his journey, which was making his NHL debut.
On April 6 of this year, Wood was in the Predators lineup for a home game against the Montreal Canadiens where the 20-year-old played over 13 minutes of ice time.
“It was a moment I’ll never forget,” he said. “I had a lot of fun. Everyone on the team treated me well and welcomed me. I was fortunate to have a great group of guys to be able to do that with. My family was there with me again, so it was another really special moment.”
Wood played six games for Nashville to close our their 2024-25 campaign and picked up his first NHL point with an assist against the Utah Hockey Club on April 14.
When considering the benefits of getting into NHL action late in the season, Wood recalled how a similar situation helped him in his BCHL career.
“It’s really beneficial for me to see how everyone handles themselves on and off the ice,” he explained. “It was kind of similar to when I started with the Grizzlies and I was able to play in the pod season the year before I ended up playing full time. Those experiences really helped me prepare myself in the summer to know what I needed to work on.”
Looking back on where his career has taken him in recent years, from the BCHL, to the highest level of college hockey, to representing his country on the international stage on multiple occasions, and finally to the NHL, he is grateful for his time spent in Victoria and how it helped his development.
“We had a great year when I was in the BCHL and we had a lot of skilled players,” he said. “Just being able to play in that league and have confidence and show what I’m good at, it’s one of the main reasons I am where I am today.”
Looking ahead to next year, now that he is officially a professional athlete, his mindset is simple.
“My only goal is to try to make the Nashville roster for the whole year and try to help them out and give them a chance to win every game,” said Wood. “That’s the ultimate goal and all I’m really working towards.”
