The Gophers men's hockey team has not had an active roster in the transfer portal over the past few seasons. Things changed dramatically on Sunday.
Matthew Wood, the Nashville Predators' 2023 first-round draft pick who played two seasons in Connecticut, will be joining the Gophers, a person with knowledge of the matter told the Star Tribune. Wood entered the transfer portal last week, drawing interest from Michigan State and North Dakota State, among other programs.
The 19-year-old from Lethbridge, Alberta, played the past two seasons at UW, leading the Huskies in scoring each season. He had 11 goals and 12 assists in 35 games in 2022-23, and has 16 goals and 12 assists in 35 games this season. Wood finished his sophomore season on a strong note, scoring five goals in his final three games, including two goals against top-ranked Boston College in the Hockey East Tournament.
The 6-4, 196-pound pitcher played in 64 games over two seasons with the Victoria Grizzlies of the British Columbia Hockey League, scoring 50 goals and 48 assists. That includes 45 goals and 85 points in 46 games during the 2021-22 season.
Wood also had seven goals and six assists in seven games for Canada at the 2023 World Under-18 Championship, and had two goals and two assists in five games at the 2024 World Junior Championship.
Wood's addition is the second positive development for the Gophers since losing in the NCAA Sioux Falls regional final on March 30. Forward Jimmy Snageld, the team's third-leading scorer and a first-round pick of the St. Louis Blues, made the announcement. Last week, he said he plans to return for his junior season. Snagerd has 42 goals and 42 assists in 79 career games.
