Wood aims to keep ‘climbing the ladder’ as Predators prospect

NASHVILLE — It didn’t take long for Matthew Wood to make a strong impression on the University of Connecticut hockey team last season.

The Nashville Predators are hoping the 18-year-old forward, selected in the first round (No. 15) of the 2023 NHL Draft, will continue that progression as a sophomore.

Wood was the youngest player in the NCAA in 2022-23 but was UConn’s leading scorer with 34 points (11 goals, 23 assists) in 35 games. He had seven multipoint games and closed out his season with at least a point in 14 of his final 15 games (five goals, 14 assists), earning Hockey East all-rookie honors.

He became the highest NHL Draft pick in UConn history; Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson was selected by the St. Louis Blues in the first round (No. 26) of the 2016 NHL Draft.

Wood (6-foot-4, 197 pounds) used his size and reach to advantage.

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“He’s a big body who is growing into his frame,” said former Predators general manager David Poile, who retired June 30. “He’s a goal-scorer and he’s got size, and that’s something we really wanted.”

One of the most memorable moments of his first season came Jan. 7, when the Huskies faced Northeastern in an outdoor game at Fenway Park. He was disappointed Connecticut lost 4-1, but Wood scored and enjoyed the nontraditional hockey environment.

“It was just something I never really thought was possible,” Wood said. “I was sitting down on a heated bench, looking up and seeing the dugout with ‘Fenway Park’ above it. I couldn’t believe it was happening. Obviously it was a great event put on for Hockey East and all the teams that go to play there. It’s something I’m definitely not going to forget.”

A few days after being chosen by Nashville, which hosted the draft, Wood flashed some of his skills in the Predators’ Future Stars Game, with a goal and an assist in the Gold team’s 2-1 win against the Blue team.

“I think you gravitate to Wood, just the size and the power that he has, how he protects the puck and skates real well for a big man,” said Scott Nichol, Nashville assistant general manager and director of player development.

“He’s still a young player. So his upside is through the roof. We’re really excited about him and just have to try and develop him the right way and have patience with him, let him go to college and just keep climbing the ladder, gaining more confidence.”

In addition to increasing upper-body strength this offseason, Wood wants to improve his acceleration. He’ll be spending plenty of time doing off-ice sprints, agility drills, change-of-direction drills and jumping.

“Those are things I’ll definitely be working on throughout the summer,” Wood said. “I want to come in for my sophomore season and make a big jump from my freshman season. That’s something I’m really looking forward to.”