Bill Guerin, the general manager of the Minnesota Wild, and highly touted prospect Matt Boldy were finally able to sit down and officially make him a member of the Wild organization. Boldy was the 12th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft and was the second player from the 2021 USA under-20 team to sign their NHL entry contract. The first was Cole Caufield who signed with the Montreal Canadiens.
Since being drafted by the Wild, he has spent two years playing collegiate hockey and winning the 2021 World Junior Championship. Wild fans everywhere should be very excited about their next potential franchise player to play alongside of Russian superstar Kirill Kaprizov. Despite having a smaller frame for a hockey player, Boldy has used his hockey knowledge and quick release shot to his advantage to become one of the better college hockey players in the NCAA and will hopefully continue his rise into the NHL.
Matt Boldy’s Collegiate Career
The newest Minnesota Wild signee is just signing now because his focus was on his Boston College Eagles of NCAA. During his two seasons at Boston College, Boldy has been a very impressive point producer. However, in his freshman season, people thought Matt Boldy had an underwhelming campaign for a prospect of his stature. He scored nine goals to go along with his 17 assists for 26 points in 34 games. Being almost a point per game at any level is very impressive and, contrary to popular belief, Matt Boldy’s future was clearly bright as not many freshmen are able to produce at such a consistent level.
During his sophomore season, Boldy just kept getting better. This season, he played in just 22 games for Boston College. He scored 11 goals and added 20 more assists for 31 total points. This incredible season with the Boston College Eagles is a big reason why Bill Guerin realized Matt Boldy was ready for professional hockey.
World Junior Championship Career
Matt Boldy appeared in the World Junior Championship twice for Team USA. In Matt Boldy’s two appearances at the World Junior Championships, he played for the under-18 team once and for the under-20 team once. In 2019, Boldy suited up for Team USA at the under-18 World Junior Championship. He appeared in seven games and scored three goals to go along with nine assists to help Team USA win the Bronze medal.
In 2021 Matt Boldy appeared in his second World Junior Championships for Team USA. He played for the under-20 team and was an integral part of the team’s success in earning a gold medal. Matt Boldy played in all seven games and scored five goals and added two assists. These impressive tournaments must have impressed Bill Guerin as he was sure to sign him as his college season was over.
How Does Matt Boldy Fit Into the Minnesota Wild Lineup?
Despite starting in the AHL, Matt Boldy should find himself in the Minnesota Wild lineup sooner rather than later. Boldly most likely will find himself playing in the bottom six of the Wilds forward group but as he gets more experience and his production increases he will move up in the lineup. In Frederick Frandsen’s article, he predicts that by the 2023-24 season, Boldy will be playing on the second line alongside Marat Khusnutdinov and Adam Beckman.
Final Thoughts
The Minnesota Wild certainly look like they have found himself a gem in the 2019 NHL Draft. Since being drafted 12th overall Matt Boldy has accomplished some amazing feats such as producing more than a point-per-game player for the Boston College Eagles during his sophomore season, participating in two World Junior Championships, and helping Team USA win the gold medal at the World Junior Championships in 2021.
Matt Boldy will start his pro hockey career in the AHL playing for the Iowa Wild. Since the Minnesota Wild are in a slump right now Matt Boldy should be up in the NHL in no time if he produces in the AHL. Wild fans around the world should be excited about the thought of Matt Boldy joining the organization and making a major impact on the team very soon.
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