Merrimack College Warriors‘ sophomore center Matt Copponi(28) gets a maybe little surprising nod on NHL draft day, as he is selected in the 7th round of 2023 (#216 overall) by Edmonton Oilers.
He was actually ranked fairly decent by NHL Scouting.
As a 2nd year college player, he put up a best 13 goals and 14 assists in 37 games last frame with a +8 rating.
The 6″ 179 lbs. forward from Mansfield, MA skipped junior hockey, arriving at college straight from Dexter Southfield School USHS-Prep.
He’s just 20-years old.
For his senior year, he enters the transfer portal to skate for Boston University Terriers.
He posts decent numbers (6-18) in a college high 40 games played with a new best +15 rating.
Upon graduation, he signs an ato with the affiliate Bakersfield Condors and records an assist in his 2nd AHL game, where he was possibly signed to a deal by the parent club, but that seems to only be a rumor so far.
He records 2 assists in 3 games with a +2 rating to earn a new 2-year deal to stay a Condors.