In David Poile’s final NHL Draft as general manager of the Nashville Predators, and incoming GM Barry Trotz’s first, the team selected right winger Matthew Wood of Connecticut with the 15th overall pick at Bridgestone Arena.
It was the first of two first-round picks the team owned going into the draft, the other being the 24th pick. The Predators entered the draft with a league-high 13 picks.
The 18-year-old is 6-foot-4, 197 pounds. He had 11 goals and 24 assists last season for the University of Connecticut. Wood said he plans to return to college next season but said he plans to be at the Predators’ development camp, which begins this weekend.
Trotz told The Tennessean earlier this week the Predators were trying hard to move into the top five.
The pick was preceded by chants of “Let’s go, Predators!” team went on the clock at 7:45 p.m.
As expected, the Chicago Blackhawks picked Connor Bedard with the first overall pick.
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This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: 2023 NHL Draft: Nashville Predators pick Matthew Wood with 15th pick
