Matthew Wood commits to Minnesota

Former UConn forward Matthew Wood has committed to Minnesota out of the transfer portal. He reportedly picked the Golden Gophers over Michigan and North Dakota.

"I just felt like it was best for my development and best for myself," Wood told The Rink Live. "Obviously it was a really hard decision, and something that I never really saw coming. But it ended up happening and I'm super excited to join the Gophers."

Minnesota is one of the most storied programs in the sport, winning five national championships in its history — tied with BU and BC for fourth-most all-time.

Wood entered the transfer portal after two seasons with the Huskies alongside fellow forwards Samu Salminen, Jake Black (Bentley) and Mark D’Agostino in addition to goaltender Arsenii Sergeev (Penn State).

UConn can bring back Hudson Schandor and John Spetz for fifth years, but it’ll still need to hit the portal hard for at least two forwards and a goaltender.

Wood has a family tie to Minnesota: His dad, Jamie, spent two seasons as an assistant coach on the Golden Gophers’ women’s team from 2008-10.