Cleve Dheensaw
Victoria Grizzlies rookie sensation Matthew Wood has skated into heady territory. A major media outlet has Wood pegged as a potential top-10 selection for the 2023 NHL draft.
Scott Wheeler of The Athletic mentioned the six-foot-three native of Nanaimo alongside the likes of Kent Johnson, Tyson Jost and former Grizzlies captain Alex Newhook, who are other recent BCHL luminaries who went high in the draft.
“It is well-deserved recognition for Matthew Wood,” said Grizzlies GM and head coach Craig Didmon.
“Matthew has proven himself in his rookie season and keeps getting better. He has worked hard to achieve this notice and deserves it.”
Wood is second in BCHL scoring heading into tonight’s game against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs at The Q Centre and Saturday night’s game in Nanaimo against the Clippers.
Wood has 62 points to Simon Tassy’s leading 67 and 32 goals to Tassy’s 35 despite playing eight fewer games than the Salmon Arm Silverbacks sniper due to Wood’s Canada U-17 duties and a suspension. Wood, however, has the best points-per-game average in the league at 1.94 to Tassy’s 1.68.
Grizzlies captain Ellis Rickwood is third in BCHL points with 59 and teammate Connor Eddy tied for sixth with 53.
“We don’t hold much back and those offensive weapons are feeling good right now,” said Didmon.
The BCHL Coastal Conference second-place Bulldogs (25-12-4) and third-place Clippers (25-13-2) have clinched playoff berths along with the conference-leading Langley Rivermen, while the fifth-place Grizzlies (23-17) have yet to do so, but are closing in on clinching.
“We have to play our tempo this weekend against Alberni Valley and Nanaimo and control the puck,” said Didmon.
LOOSE PUCKS: The Grizzlies are also at home this Sunday when the Chilliwack Chiefs pay a visit to The Q Centre for a 2 p.m. start.
cdheensaw@timescolonist.com
