Solid , who is the Connor McDavid of the 2016 NHL draft. Matthews, 17, was born two days after 2015 draft cutoff date, otherwise he would be picked no worse than third in this June’s draft that has McDavid undoubtedly going No. 1 to the Edmonton Oilers.
In the linked story, Matthews said he has spoken to Boston University freshman Jack Eichel — the likely No. 2 pick in June — about the benefits of doing a one-year NCAA stint and playing against men, opposed to the U20 major junior. In college, Matthews would have more off-ice training with older teammates. At major-junior, he would play more games with like teenagers.
Matthews is considering the University of Denver, Michigan, Boston University and Boston College, North Dakota, and Wisconsin has been added to the NCAA list. His Canadian Hockey League draft rights are owned by the WHL’s Everett Silvertips.
Matthews is currently with the U.S. National Development Program in Ann Arbor, Mich., and coming off an MVP performance at the U18 World Championship, where the Americans won the gold.
From what I’m hearing, Matthews will likely choose major-junior. But DU and Michigan are the NCAA frontrunners if he goes the NCAA route. Matthews grew up in Scottsdale, Ariz., and buddies with DU senior wing Zac Larraza, a USNDP graduate. And the Pioneers return two of the most electrifying wingers in the country in Trevor Moore and Danton Heinen, and they happen to be in need of a center with the graduation of Danny Doremus.
I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t want to play for DU coach Jim Montgomery, and recruiting coordinator David Carle, 25, is an excellent point man.
Eichel, the 2015 Hobey Baker Award winner, grew up in Massachusetts and followed through with his age 15 commitment to BU. And he had a great season. Eichel surely wants Matthews to sign with the Terriers, but I continually hear DU or Michigan could win the NCAA lottery.
“We’ve had that conversation and Jack gave me his spiel but in the end said it’s what will make me happy and where I want to play, where I believe I fit in and can develop most as a player,” Matthews said. “I’ll sit down with my family and figure it out.”
