Predators sign Matthew Wood to entry-level contract

The Nashville Predators announced Saturday that the club has signed right winger Matthew Wood to a three-year, entry-level contract that begins in the current campaign.

Through 39 appearances this season with the NCAA’s Minnesota Golden Gophers, Wood amassed point-per-game production counting 17 goals and 22 assists to finish second in team scoring with 39 points. Prior to transferring to Minnesota, Wood also spent two seasons with the Connecticut Huskies highlighted by the 2023-24 campaign in which he finished first in team scoring with 28 points counting 16 goals and 12 assists coming in 35 games. As a freshman, Wood was also named to Hockey East’s All-Rookie Team after collecting 11 goals and 23 assists for 34 points in 35 appearances. In all, through three seasons in the collegiate ranks, Wood totaled 44 goals and 57 assists for 101 points in 109 career contests.

Prior to his collegiate career, the 20-year-old native of Nanaimo, B.C., also spent part of two seasons with the BCHL’s Victoria Grizzlies. With the Grizzlies in 2021-22, the 6-foot-4 forward paced the league with 45 goals and 85 points coming in 46 games. For his efforts, Wood was named to the BCHL’s First All-Star Team and was presented with the Bruce Allison Memorial Trophy as the Rookie of the Year. In all, through two seasons in the BCHL, Wood combined for 98 points counting 50 goals and 48 assists through 64 appearances.

Wood has also seen success in international competition highlighted by a gold medal at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup that saw him put up two goals and three assists for five points in five games. Wood also captured a bronze medal at the 2023 IIHF Under-18 World Championship where he was named a top-three player for Canada after registering two goals and two assists for four points in five outings.

Wood was originally chosen 15th overall by the Predators in the 2023 NHL Draft.