Matthew Wood '26 Recruiting Profile

My parents brought me up through hockey telling me that success comes when talent and drive meet opportunity. Seeing the sacrifices my parents made to help me get opportunities has made me appreciate each one and is why I have a high compete level.  I have had the opportunity since I was 6 years old to train with the same goalie coaches that worked with Spencer Knight. Through youth hockey I was lucky to play at the AAA level on teams that needed good goaltending to compete which gave me great game experience.  At Bantams, I was only 5'6 which taught me to play big and rely on positioning.  Now that I am over 6 feet tall, the style I learned has been very good for my game.  In my first Varsity Prep School season, I came out of tryouts as the #3 goalie. Since I had just turned 16, I was happy to be on the team and have the opportunity to compete.  By early January, I earned the starting role and finished the season playing more games than all but one other 16 year old goalie in NEPSAC hockey.  I played 16 games, had a .906 save %, 484 Saves, helped get my team to the NEPSAC Small School Quarterfinals and was voted Best Breakout Performance by my team.  

With all of the opportunities I have had that made me a better hockey player, my goal is to turn it around and have hockey be my opportunity to get a great college education.  If I can get that education and play D1 or D3 Hockey I will be very grateful.  

Feedback from my coaches has always been: Good positioning.  Great speed side to side.  Competes for every puck.  Gives our team a chance every game. Very Athletic. Very consistent effort with few soft goals. Mature in his understanding of the game and his coach-ability.