RW Matthew Wood – Univ. of Minnesota, NCAA (2023, 15th, NSH)

[Dominance]

One of the most impressive players today.

 

[Bubbles]

Has his skating improved?

 

[Dominance]

Has his skating improved?

It’s still rough.

 

[Dominance]

Wood has been utterly immovable while defending the puck and shown off his elite vision at the HGC.

 

[GermanSpitfire]

He seems selfish to me although his size, skill combination is worth salivating over.

 

[Dominance]

He seems selfish to me although his size, skill combination is worth salivating over.

Selfish??

He certainly holds onto the puck far longer than most players, but you want him to be doing that with how well he protects the puck and the space it opens up in defenses. He certainly has no issues passing the puck and, if anything, leaves me wanting him to attack the net and shoot more than he does.

 

[GermanSpitfire]

Selfish??

He certainly holds onto the puck far longer than most players, but you want him to be doing that with how well he protects the puck and the space it opens up in defenses. He certainly has no issues passing the puck and, if anything, leaves me wanting him to attack the net and shoot more than he does.

I can understand holding onto the puck if you plan on doing something productive with it, opening up scoring lanes etc. Wood has a tendency to do this at times. He might be used to doing it in the BCHL but it’s something that he won’t be able to do in the NHL and I’d assume he’ll fix this in the coming years.
Maybe it’s being more apparent because he’s playing on a Canada team that is high scoring and he wants his slice of the pie too? He reminds me a bit of Dylan Strome.

 

[Boonk]

He certainly has high IQ, I think he holds onto the puck to slow the game down to compensate for his skating. I think he's better served playing a year in the USHL before playing at UConn. Sioux Falls own his rights in that league.

 

[Leviathan899]

NHL teams are going to be all over Wood come draft day next year. Has a lot of tantalizing tools that are NHL quality or soon too be. His hands are elite for a bigger kid and has a real ability to get his shot off in a variety of ways. can score in tight or beat the goalie from distance. Really strong on the puck down low. Although his skating needs work, it’s not terrible by any means and because of the skill set he possesses, I don’t think being the fastest in a straight line is something he needs to be overly concerned about. Potential top 15 pick imo

 

[Bubbles]

NHL teams are going to be all over Wood come draft day next year. Has a lot of tantalizing tools that are NHL quality or soon too be. His hands are elite for a bigger kid and has a real ability to get his shot off in a variety of ways. can score in tight or beat the goalie from distance. Really strong on the puck down low. Although his skating needs work, it’s not terrible by any means and because of the skill set he possesses, I don’t think being the fastest in a straight line is something he needs to be overly concerned about. Potential top 15 pick imo

At the moment I wouldn't put him in the top 15. I've been baffled by some lists on here, some putting him as high as 10th.

There are a lot more "complete" prospects out there than him, and this is coming from someone watching Wood closely for two years.

He doesn't use his size to bully people around. His skating needs a lot more work.

Right now I see him as a poor man's Patrik Laine.

 

[Leviathan899]

At the moment I wouldn't put him in the top 15. I've been baffled by some lists on here, some putting him as high as 10th.

There are a lot more "complete" prospects out there than him, and this is coming from someone watching Wood closely for two years.

He doesn't use his size to bully people around. His skating needs a lot more work.

Right now I see him as a poor man's Patrik Laine.

I agree with that comparison, and you very well could be right top 15 is maybe too high right now, I’m just trying to project where I think he’ll be on teams list by next June. I think he has a lot of tools that will translate, even if his skating needs a lot of work. I don’t personally think his skating is that bad, he’s a bit too narrow in his stance and doesn’t get deep enough in it for sure. I don’t think you can teach the skills and offensive IQ has and if there are 15 better prospects with better upside than him come June, then it’s a very strong draft imo. He’s definitely a bit raw though as of today. Who would you rather have right now, a kid like Barlow or wood? Barlow is showing how complete of a player he is, but he’s already a man. Both top 5-10 goal scorers in this draft with size and elite shots. Barlow probably is easier to project as he’s closer to being polished, but I think if all goes well, Wood has the higher upside. Either way wood is going to be a first round lock, barring a brutal season.

 

[Bubbles]

I agree with that comparison, and you very well could be right top 15 is maybe too high right now, I’m just trying to project where I think he’ll be on teams list by next June. I think he has a lot of tools that will translate, even if his skating needs a lot of work. I don’t personally think his skating is that bad, he’s a bit too narrow in his stance and doesn’t get deep enough in it for sure. I don’t think you can teach the skills and offensive IQ has and if there are 15 better prospects with better upside than him come June, then it’s a very strong draft imo. He’s definitely a bit raw though as of today. Who would you rather have right now, a kid like Barlow or wood? Barlow is showing how complete of a player he is, but he’s already a man. Both top 5-10 goal scorers in this draft with size and elite shots. Barlow probably is easier to project as he’s closer to being polished, but I think if all goes well, Wood has the higher upside. Either way wood is going to be a first round lock, barring a brutal season.

I'd probably take Wood over Barlow at the moment.

It's more that there are lot of good centres available that can play a complete game, and Wood is a winger.

Wood has poor acceleration. His top speed is not too bad but at the next level, everyone is just that much faster.

HIs linemates Eddy and Rickwood have left Victoria, so Wood will basically lead his team (not too many additions). It remains to be seen if he can maintain or increase his production with significantly lesser teammates.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I'd probably take Wood over Barlow at the moment.

It's more that there are lot of good centres available that can play a complete game, and Wood is a winger.

Wood has poor acceleration. His top speed is not too bad but at the next level, everyone is just that much faster.

HIs linemates Eddy and Rickwood have left Victoria, so Wood will basically lead his team (not too many additions). It remains to be seen if he can maintain or increase his production with significantly lesser teammates.

He’s playing college hockey, not BCHL.

 

[kyle44]

HIs linemates Eddy and Rickwood have left Victoria, so Wood will basically lead his team (not too many additions). It remains to be seen if he can maintain or increase his production with significantly lesser teammates.

When the Hlinka Gretyzky Cup is over, Wood, who led the BCHL in scoring last season and was named the league’s rookie of the year, has a tough decision to make. He has just finished taking the remainder of his Grade 12 courses online so he could graduate early from Belmont Secondary and has been invited to begin his NCAA Div. 1 scholarship at the University of Connecticut this September. So does he return to Grizzlies and help them chase down a BCHL title, or jump at the chance to start his NCAA career a little early?

“I think I’m going to go to Connecticut,” Wood said. “I’m really leaning toward that. I had a great time with the Grizzlies and played with a great group of guys, but I think it’s time for me to move on to the next level.”

Grizzlies' Wood ready to lead Canada at Hlinka Gretzky Cup

 

[57special]

Mark Stone vibes?

 

[StreetHawk]

When the Hlinka Gretyzky Cup is over, Wood, who led the BCHL in scoring last season and was named the league’s rookie of the year, has a tough decision to make. He has just finished taking the remainder of his Grade 12 courses online so he could graduate early from Belmont Secondary and has been invited to begin his NCAA Div. 1 scholarship at the University of Connecticut this September. So does he return to Grizzlies and help them chase down a BCHL title, or jump at the chance to start his NCAA career a little early?

“I think I’m going to go to Connecticut,” Wood said. “I’m really leaning toward that. I had a great time with the Grizzlies and played with a great group of guys, but I think it’s time for me to move on to the next level.”

Grizzlies' Wood ready to lead Canada at Hlinka Gretzky Cup

Connecticut not known for their hockey program. Quinnapeic is the more well known in terms of frozen four tournament over U conn.

Tage Thompson only name from Ucon. That I recognize.

In terms of competition, probably the best option to go is ncaa. He’s listed at 6’3 and over 190 lbs so physically should be able to handle it.

 

[Bubbles]

When the Hlinka Gretyzky Cup is over, Wood, who led the BCHL in scoring last season and was named the league’s rookie of the year, has a tough decision to make. He has just finished taking the remainder of his Grade 12 courses online so he could graduate early from Belmont Secondary and has been invited to begin his NCAA Div. 1 scholarship at the University of Connecticut this September. So does he return to Grizzlies and help them chase down a BCHL title, or jump at the chance to start his NCAA career a little early?

“I think I’m going to go to Connecticut,” Wood said. “I’m really leaning toward that. I had a great time with the Grizzlies and played with a great group of guys, but I think it’s time for me to move on to the next level.”

Grizzlies' Wood ready to lead Canada at Hlinka Gretzky Cup

Thanks for the new info! I was under the impression he would return to Victoria. Sad to see him leave the BCHL, but it's probably the best decision for him to go to UConn.

 

[StreetHawk]

Thanks for the new info! I was under the impression he would return to Victoria. Sad to see him leave the BCHL, but it's probably the best decision for him to go to UConn.

Typically dont expect kids to finish school early. But sounds like he was very diligent during Covid and got his studies in.

UConn from what I saw has several former bchl ers on their roster.

Not known as a hockey school like North Dakota, BC, BU, Minnesota, Northeastern, etc. Kind of surprised someone rated that high is going there.

 

[Bubbles]

Typically dont expect kids to finish school early. But sounds like he was very diligent during Covid and got his studies in.

UConn from what I saw has several former bchl ers on their roster.

Not known as a hockey school like North Dakota, BC, BU, Minnesota, Northeastern, etc. Kind of surprised someone rated that high is going there.

Apparently it's an up and coming hockey program, someone said earlier in the thread.

 

[StreetHawk]

Apparently it's an up and coming hockey program, someone said earlier in the thread.

I only saw the roster list on wiki and it had 1 player Firstov a Russian born player who played in the USHL that was a 2nd rounder. Aside from him another 5/6 guys who were o4-7 round picks.

Only UConn alum in the nhl right now is Thompson of Buffalo.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

More like Dany Heatley. And for that reason, Wood is going in the top 15.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I didn't realize how bad his skating was until I concentrated on it. One of the worst I've seen from a guy who will go first round in recent times.

I'd be worried about picking this guy if he doesn't improve his skating. People say Jason Robertson was a terrible skater and look how he turned out. It was nothing like this. Wood has serious potential, but I don't think he can reach it being as bad of a skater as he is.

 

[GermanSpitfire]

Wood will play for UConn this season as the only ‘05 in college hockey this season.
Impressive stuff.

UConn's Mike Cavanaugh (UConn’s Head Coach) on Matthew Wood:

"Only 17 years old but he’s got a tremendous skill set. If I was going to compare him to anybody it would probably be Tage Thompson. Similar in size, both right shots, shoots the puck extremely well - Both came into college at a young age. We just want him to come in and be a good player. He doesn’t have to be a superstar on our team. Just come in and be a good, honest hockey player”

 

[AlexanderSemin21]

I didn't realize how bad his skating was until I concentrated on it. One of the worst I've seen from a guy who will go first round in recent times.

I'd be worried about picking this guy if he doesn't improve his skating. People say Jason Robertson was a terrible skater and look how he turned out. It was nothing like this. Wood has serious potential, but I don't think he can reach it being as bad of a skater as he is.

Worst skater than Connor Geekie?

I didn't realize how bad his skating was until I concentrated on it. One of the worst I've seen from a guy who will go first round in recent times.

I'd be worried about picking this guy if he doesn't improve his skating. People say Jason Robertson was a terrible skater and look how he turned out. It was nothing like this. Wood has serious potential, but I don't think he can reach it being as bad of a skater as he is.

Worst skater than Connor Geekie?

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Worst skater than Connor Geekie?


Worst skater than Connor Geekie?

Yes, much worse. He is so sluggish with his skating. Looks as if he's going 50% when he's going full speed.