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The Nashville Predators made some noise as the host of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft when the selected Matthew Wood with the 15th overall selection.

Wood, 18, is a Nanaimo born prospect who spent this past season with the University of Connecticut.

Hockey fans in Victoria will recall the success of Wood during his time with the Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL) between 2020 – 2022.

Wood played 64 games with the Grizzlies where he would record 50 goals and 48 assists for 98 points.

The product of Nanaimo also played a majority of his junior hockey on the Island. He suited up for the U15 Nanaimo Clippers and the U18 North Island Silvertips.