Sam Cosentino on the player: Undeterred as the youngest player in college hockey this past season, Wood scored 11 goals and finished the season with 34 points in 35 games for the University of Connecticut. For his efforts he was named to Hockey East’s All-Rookie team.
His 2021-22 season with Victoria in the BCHL was prolific. After winning the scoring title, he was named the Rookie of the Year and a first-team all-star for his 45-goal, 85-point season.
In the course of one calendar year, Wood represented Canada in three different U18 events. It started in April of 2022 where he suited up for Canada at the U18 worlds where he scored twice for his only two points of the event. Then came the Hlinka-Gretzky, where he played limited minutes, but still managed to put up five points in five games en route to a gold medal. He really excelled individually at the 2023 U18 worlds, where he lead Canada with 11 points in seven games, while chipping in with an assist on the bronze medal game-winning goal.
Wood is one of the best pure shooters this draft class has to offer. He has undercover skills in the puck play department and there's plenty of room to add to his 6-foot-4, 193-pound frame. Wood jumped from No. 8 on NHL Central Scouting’s mid-term list to No. 4 in the final ranking.
Jason Bukala's scouting report: A big body forward who is hard to defend in the tough areas of the ice, along the boards and out front of the net. Leans goal scorer, but has shown the ability to make sneaky small area puck plays.
Skating mechanics on straight lines are fine, but there is room for more power and quickness out of the gate. Projects to produce offence in a top six role at the NHL level. Power forward.
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