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The US NTDP Under-18 squad has an incredible group of forwards this year, and a number will go high in the 2019 NHL Draft. The latest member of that group is left wing Matthew Boldy. He scored 30 goals and 69 points in 55 games this year. He was also a leader on the squad, wearing the alternate captain’s “A”. Boldy also shone at the USA Hockey Top Prospects Game scoring two goals and an assist and picking up MVP honours.
The Millis, Massachusetts native had a solid season with the Under-17 squad last season with 29 goals and 76 points in 61 games. He was also part of winning the gold medal at the Under 17 World Hockey Challenge where he scored three goals and six assists for nine points in six tournament games.
Boldy and the rest of the US NTDP team is currently preparing for the IIHF Under 18 World Championships, where they will be one of the favourites in the tournament. Going forward, he is committed to joining the Boston College Eagles next season. If he changes his mind and opts to go the CHL route, his rights are owned by the QMJHL’s Halifax Mooseheads.
Matthew Boldy Scouting Report
Left Wing — shoots Left
Born April 5th, 2001 — Millis, Massachusetts
Height 6’2″ — Weight 187 lbs [188 cm / 85 kg]
Skating
Boldy has a powerful skating stride. He can fight through checks and get to the front of the net. Boldy has very good balance and is tough to knock off the puck. This helps him in battles on the boards as well. He also has very good agility and edgework. His quick changes of direction often cause issues for defenders. He uses this skating ability to get away from defenders and create open space both with and without the puck. Boldy’s speed and acceleration are good but not great. He is smart enough and moves well enough to keep up with the play, even with the outstanding speed of some of his faster teammates, but doesn’t match them step for step.
Offensive Game
Matthew Boldy is pure sniper. He has an excellent wrist shot and release. It is close to being NHL calibre already. He also has a very good snapshot, slap shot and one-timer. Boldy has very good hands. He can make moves in tight to beat a goaltender. Excellent hand-eye co-ordination also allows him to tip in pucks and bang in rebounds. He even has a good backhand. Boldy is a smart player. He finds soft spots in the opposing defence when he does not have the puck, finding the space that allows teammates to set him up to get his shots off.
Boldy has also shown more creativity as a playmaker this season. He is also good at keeping the cycle game going, letting his teammates find openings and get away from defenders. Boldy has very good stickhandling skills, protecting the puck and even beating defenders one-on-one. He has also shown good vision and the hockey IQ to make his passes to his teammates to create scoring chances. He can thread the puck through tight spaces. Boldy uses his size to forecheck and create turnovers. He is aggressive in chasing down the puck and creating offence. Boldy is not a big hitter, but is not afraid to use his size to battle for loose pucks and to lean on opponents on the boards and in front of the net.
Defensive Game
Boldy has shown real improvement this season. Last year he looked like a liability defensively. Now, he is a player who works hard in all three zones. He brings his physical and gritty game on the backcheck, supporting the defence with effective backpressure and containing the cycle down low in the zone. His positioning and long stick allow him to cut down passing lanes and create turnovers. Boldy has been used on the NTDP penalty kill units and has done an effective job with that. He reads the play well and is willing to put his body on the line to block shots.
Projection and Comparison
Boldy has the potential to be a top line winger in the NHL. He will also be a key asset on the power play. There is time for Boldy to continue to add muscle to his frame and become part of the new style of power forward. He also has the skill to play a finesse game. Add in the ability to work in his own end, and he is a very complete winger. Boldy’s game is reminiscent of Mark Stone, but this is a style comparison and not one based on skill and ability.
Highlights
The following is a compilation of some of the highlight packages and features of Matthew Boldy that are available on youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOT5yxlzesM&list=PLOgBIUfkk2BOnwpb72XAZc9_lcv0FGGrT
Check back tomorrow for the next prospect on our draft board.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
