Prospect Jack Matier Enjoying Breakout Season in Ontario Hockey League

Simple is good.
That is the mantra that Nashville Predators prospect Jack Matier lives by as he tackles each season. He has used this motto to the fullest this year as he is already posting career highs in scoring for the Ontario Hockey League's Ottawa 67s this season.
Matier - selected in the fourth round (124th overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft - is producing at a point-per-game pace, tallying 35 (10g-25a) through 35 contests, also establishing career highs in goals and assists. The 19-year-old is tied for eighth among OHL defensemen in goals, is 11th in points and tied for 13th in assists; he leads Ottawa blueliners in all three categories.
This type of play and consistency from the 6-foot-5, 195-pound blueliner is what led the Preds to draft him in 2021. Predators Assistant General Manager/Director of Scouting Jeff Kealty noticed his upside early and made a push to select him.
"The hockey sense he has for a big guy is fantastic," Kealty said. "He handles the puck really well and makes good decisions."

This breakout season Matier is having is a testament to his continued development and work ethic. Predators Defense Development Coach Rob Scuderi works with Matier often and has been impressed with his production and improvement this season in Ottawa.
"The production is fantastic," Scuderi said. "He is on the power play, he makes things happen, he gets pucks to the net and makes the simple play. I'm glad to see the production."
Matier credits his production this year to his continued maturity, demeanor and improved skill set on the ice, which have all allowed him to settle into the game that he wants to play.
"I've improved my skating ability and my ability with the puck to make plays," Matier said. "I'm getting a little more comfortable now that I'm an older guy and I am playing more confidently with the puck. It is all those things combined that's making me have a good year."
His skill as a defensemen was not the only asset the Preds saw in him from the start. His off-ice work ethic and manner have been a major plus in the eyes of Nashville's front office.
"He has a fantastic sense of self," Scuderi said. "He's such a grounded kid and is just rooted in hard work and honesty. There is a lot to like."
There's also Matier's character, which Kealty said is equally important to on-ice skill in Nashville.
"He is just a really good character kid," Kealty said. "He is doing what you ask of him. As much as we want good players and upside, all that we want is good people. That's part of it and he qualifies."
Having good communication between the staff and Matier has not been taken for granted on either side as the young blueliner continues to develop.
"Scuderi] is a really good resource for me," Matier said. "He usually travels to Ottawa two or three times a year. In between, we usually keep up with conversations over the phone and he'll send me some video clips of my game and [give me pointers]... He's a really good development tool for me and I use him a lot."
The blueliner has leaned into each new situation with confidence and poise, which was apparent in January as he won gold with Team Canada at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship.
After skating in all seven of Team Canada's games and posting one assist in the tournament, the Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., native said he'll never forget the experience.
"It was really special this year," Matier said. "Being on home soil in Halifax and the fans were just great to us… This is a memory that I'll cherish forever."
His play did not go unnoticed. Scuderi relished just how important this moment was to him and how much he earned that spot to skate on a team like Canada.
"He played his way onto that team and he deserved to be there," Scuderi said. "That is something I know us as the Preds organization are very, very proud of."
Matier has one simple goal in mind: To use the momentum to make an NHL roster and one day soon don the Predators Gold.
"They were a team that I really liked," Matier said. "I'm really looking forward to being a part of it and getting to Nashville."
To follow Matier's season with Ottawa
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for their 2022-23 schedule.