Copponi is in his third year of NHL Draft eligibility and we feel there is real possibility for him to be selected this year. While some of his highly touted peers are still playing junior hockey and other 2003 birth year NHL Draft selections are struggling to find their footing in NCAA hockey Copponi is playing sixteen minutes per game and averaging a point per game while playing in Hockey East.
| Matthew Copponi | Merrimack | NCAA | R | F | 6’0″ | 175 | Merrimack | 2021 | Mansfield, MA | 2003 | 2022-2023: C+ 2021-2022: C 2020-2021: C |
NCAA: Merrimack vs Providence, December 10, 2022: Copponi earned 17:41 in ice time including 5:09 while on the power play. He did not play shorthanded. He finished the game with 4 power play shots on goal, one of which came on a very dynamic line rush were he beat two defenders on 1 on 1 situations and attacked the net front to drive the puck to the far post. He also earned a tripping penalty after he looked to line-up a Providence player in the neutral zone and missed. On the night he went 4/13 on face-offs, had 1 hit, had 1 shot blocked, 4 giveaways, 2 takeaways and won 50% of his 14 puck battles.
NCAA: Merrimack vs Colgate, October 21, 2022: Copponi earned 16:28 in ice time including 4:24 of power play time. He did not play shorthanded. His power play time was one second less than Merrimack’s team leader (Alex Jefferies) at 4:25. On the PP Copponi was positioned as the roving bumper or net front. There were a few times when he slid to the extended goal line. He received a secondary assist on Merrimack’s first goal of the game, but the play was made by his read as the F2 on the forecheck when he picked off a breakout pass. He finished the game +2, with 3 shots, 3 even strength grade “A” opportunities, 4/12 on face-offs, 4 giveaways, 3 takeaways and he won 14% of his 14 puck battles.
NCAA: Merrimack vs Vermont, February 13, 2022: Copponi earned 6:04 of ice time. He did not participate in the special team’s game. He finished the game +1, with 2 shots, 1 grade “A”, 2 PIMs that came on an offensive zone hooking penalty, 0 giveaways, 2 takeaways and he won 56% of his 9 puck battles. Copponi also had 1 secondary assist, but what really showed his development as a player was what he did after his pass. On the play he was F1 on the forecheck. He finished his check, won the puck battle to start a mid-wall scissor and then busted his butt to get to the top of the crease and once he was there he tied up two Vermont players so his linemate was alone in the slot for a wide open scoring opportunity. It was little thing that led to Merrimack scoring their second goal of the game early in the third period. The goal broke the 1-1 and was the eventual game winner.
NCAA: Merrimack vs Providence, October 7, 2021: In Copponi’s second collegiate hockey game he earned 11:32 of ice time including 0:26 on the power play. He did not contribute to the shorthanded unit. He had one defensive zone hooking penalty that was result of the Providence forward using the net as a pick on a high to low cycle. As Copponi continues to gain strength we are fairly confident that this type of play will not happen. He went 5/9 on face-offs, had 7 giveaways, 0 takeaways and he won 31% of his 13 puck battles. The thing that stood out to us was that as a 6’0″ 170lbs freshman he led the game in hits with 4. Three of which were head on collisions that Copponi easily could have shied away from, but instead he kept his hands down and skated right through his opponent.
NE Prep: Dexter vs Pope Francis, February 5, 2021: Matty was involved physically from the start. He won face-offs and he owned 50/50 the puck battles. He played with his eyes up and he consistently manipulated Pope’s gaps control through the neutral zone. In the defensive zone he stopped on pucks, had an active stick and did an excellent job of staying below the puck to provide support. He showed the ability to pass through tight seams while still having the touch to make his passes easy to handle. Matty was involved physically and was not afraid to talk to his opponents when needed.
NE Prep: Dexter vs Boston Advantage U18, February 3, 2021: This was not Matty’s best game. He had his normal high compete, but he seemed very interested in playing 1 on 1 hockey. Dexter won 8-0 so it I will chalk this up to Matty coming back from Green Bay and looking to put on a show.
NE Prep: Dexter vs The Cape Cod Whalers, December 23, 2021 (Ian Moran): Copponi seemed to win every faceoff. We can’t confirm that but both scouts agreed we didn’t see him lose one. His stick is quick and elusive. He can thread pucks through opponents at top speed or bump pucks quickly up in transition. He also simply flew by defensemen and to the cage. His skill and pace were unmatched in this game. His release was rapid and his shot hard. In his end, his stick placement was very good and he even picked a puck from the air to save a possible goal. His game continues to get better with his best hockey still ahead. Grade: A-
Neutral Zone NHL’s Ian Moran’s comments, December 2020: He’s just a really competitive kid and he plays every game like he’s proving people wrong…. I love it. I saw him play twice recently. The first game I think he had two and two for four. He was dominant. One touch passes were crisp and he handled everything cleanly. The next night you could see early that he didn’t have his hands and he kind of looked sluggish. But rather than forcing things and creating issues Matty simplified things. He made smart decisions at the lines and was committed to be a good in his end. He didn’t cheat and he won the face-off circle. I loved seeing it because it showed maturity and game awareness. He still ended up with a couple of points, but he had the mindset that he was going to have a positive impact no matter what and he did.
NCAA: Copponi Commits to Merrimack, May 2020: The Merrimack men’s hockey team received big news on Friday, when 2003-born center Matt Copponi committed to the Warriors. This past season, the 16-year-old had 20 goals and 22 assists for 42 points in 30 games at Dexter. It was his first season in prep hockey, having previously played at Mansfield High and with the Neponset Valley River Rats (where he also played midget this past season). Copponi, who was being pursued by Hockey East, ECAC and Atlantic Hockey programs, skated at Team USA’s Select 16 camp last summer as well. Copponi was selected in the ninth round of last year’s USHL Phase I Draft and was taken eighth overall by the Quebec Remparts in the 2019 QMJHL American Draft. Copponi is eligible for the 2021 NHL Draft. “I’ve been watching Matty play for a long time,” said Neutral Zone NHL scout, Ian Moran. “He’s always had excellent vision and poise with the puck. Coming out of the defensive zone and through the neutral zone Matty can make plays at top speed and he’s very good at keeping the defenders guessing. He manipulates their gaps by changing speeds and if he gains the blueline uncontested he’s going to generate a scoring opportunity. I like his feet and think they’re going to keep getting better as he matures. I’m not sure everyone knows it, but Matty has a chance to be 6’1″ or bigger. His older brother grew 2″ while in college so there’s a pretty good chance that Matty will too. I also think his game grew by leaps and bounds this year at Dexter. “Matty has huge upside and he’s a player that NHL teams will be watching closely over the next 14 months.” Neutral Zone also had Copponi ranked as the No. 1 uncommitted forward at the NE Prep Finals this past March. Given his age, it’s likely Copponi will arrive at Merrimack in either 2022 or 2023.
Neutral Zone NHL’s Ian Moran’s comments, April 2020: I’ve been watching Matty play for a long time. He’s always had excellent vision and poise with the puck. Coming out of the defensive zone and through the neutral zone Matty can make plays at top speed and he’s very good at keeping the defenders guessing. He manipulates their gaps by changing speeds and if he gains the blueline uncontested he’s going to generate a scoring opportunity. I like his feet and think they’re going to keep getting better as he matures. I’m not sure everyone knows it, but Matty has a chance to be 6’1″ or bigger. His older brother grew 2″ while in college so there’s a pretty good chance that Matty will too. I also think his game grew by leaps and bounds this year at Dexter. There were times when he was younger that the game looked too easy for him and he could look bored. Having hard competitive practices where he had to earn his ice time was great for him. And don’t discount the leadership that Ben Raymond and Aidan Connolly had on him. Those two kids play their asses off and there is no doubt they impacted his future. I’m not saying he wasn’t competitive before, because he was. But I am saying that getting his butt kicked in practice by two Division 1 kids made Matty realize how consistent he needed to be if his game was going to take off. And it did. I’m not surprised that Quebec drafted him so high last year. Matty has huge upside and he’s a player that NHL teams will be watching closely over the next 14 months.
Top 35 Uncommitted From the NE Prep Finals, March 2020: Copponi has come on quickly in his first year of prep hockey. He got better every time we watched him. He has great speed, a smooth stride and plays with his head up. He played very well in the last game and can break down defenders with pace, patience or his slick stick. He has an elusive stick and tons and tons of upside. He finished third on Dexter in scoring. Matty was Neutral Zone’s highest rated forward, coming in at #4. He placed behind defensemen Matt Fusco at #1, Jackson Dorrington #2 and goalie Dylan Silverstein at #3.
2003s: Mini Chowder Cup, August 2019: Matt was solid overall on the weekend. He played his typical up-tempo, puck-possession game. He is slick with the puck on his stick and is at his best making plays in transition. He is athletic and looks to have added some strength in his lower half. He is tough to track down in the offensive zone and does a good job spinning away from pressure. Sees the ice well and made some creative plays cross-ice. He plays a direct game in the offensive zone and looks to constantly push the pace towards the net. Can make defenders miss in space and has good footwork and agility to beat defenders wide. Strong showing here. Grade: B+
U16: USA Hockey Select 16 National Camp, July 2019: Copponi is an emerging D1 prospect out of Mass HS where he put together an impressive sophomore season at Marshfield HS which led to a first round selection in the QMJHL American Draft as well as a later round pick by Green Bay in the USHL. His work ethic was his most distinct feature and was illuminated through his hustle puck pursuit on the forecheck. He stripped opponents of the puck and once he gained possession he immediately had his head up looking to make a quick play while the defense was scrambling. He also put in work behind the net battling for pucks and working the cycle. He was always involved and showed the speed and edge to make plays to the net. Copponi has a slick set of hands and while he is most active away from the puck he showed great control and stick handling ability when pressured. He flashed those hands when he led rushes up the ice and dangled opponents through the neutral zone. A natural play maker, Copponi has a pass first mentality and caught our eye with some of his backhand saucer passes to the point in zone and his cross ice passes on the rush to the slot or through the neutral zone. He has the vision, the touch on the puck and the ability to elevate it over sticks without having to slow down and can work the give and go. He scored an impressive one-touch hard snap shot goal beating the goalie clean in the slot. Despite being most coveted for his hands and playmaking ability, one of the most underrated parts of his game is his work in the defensive zone. He plays the body and hits to defend. His instincts and toughness in this area stood out and he competed hard to cut down angles and win puck battles. He finished the week with a 1-4-5 line and did a lot to turn some heads here. Grade: B+
QMJHL: 2019 American QMJHL Entry Draft, June 10th 2019: Matty was selected 8th overall in the American portion of the draft. Familiar names Timmy Delay went 1st overall, Declan Loughnane went 3rd, Jack Hughes went 6th, JP Turner 13th while Aidan Lyons, Joe Fleming, Patrick Morrissey, Cullin Wilson and Cooper Flinton were all taken within the 36 selections.
The Québec Remparts Selected Matty 8th overall in Round # 1
2003s: Mass Hockey Festival, May 2019: Matt was more noticeable on Friday than Saturday. He is a dynamic playmaker that plays a slashing style and constantly puts pressure on defenders. He has quick feet and good edges which allow him to attack in straight lines or cut to open ice to find time. He was good off-the-cycle and keeps his feet moving out of the corners. Made some plays in transition that opened-up seams. Has a high motor and can be counted on defensively. He likes to move the puck across the ice and always looks for teammates back-door. Overall had a nice weekend. Grade: B
U15: USA Hockey Nationals, April 2019: Matt is used in all situations for NVRR and is a slick, playmaker. He is light on his feet and has a good first step. He separates from pressure quickly and is efficient with the puck on his stick through the neutral zone. He sees the ice well and uses change of pace and good vision to buy time and space. He is agile and has slick hands which allow him to beat defenders in tight. He is always around the net and slips away from pressure. He scored a few goals in our viewings. He plays with a chip on his shoulder and is always involved in the play. Will need to continue getting stronger but his best hockey is ahead of him. Grade: B+
MIAA: Mass High School Report 1, January 2019: Matthew has had a nice start to the winter and is a major reason why Mansfield is off to a good start at 8-2. He sees the ice really well and has very good play-making ability. The smaller forward has high-end skill, quick feet and can play in all situations, has dominated several games so far this season at the MA-HS level. Unsurprisingly, he leads the team in scoring by a wide margin. If Mansfield wants to make a run at Division 1 South title, Copponi will have to be at his best. As a Sophomore Matty was one of 3 forwards who received an “A” grade, the other 2 were Seniors Josh Barton and Mike Tersoni.
Pro-Am Junior Chowder Cup, August 2018: Athletic right-shot winger that has a high compete level. He has quick feet and is always in motion. Effective on the PK as he pressures defenders and takes good angles to trap the puck carrier. Average hands and does an OK job of managing the puck. Will need to get stronger in order to be tougher on the puck. Interesting player to keep tabs on. Weekend Grade: B-
U16: Blue Line Elite Prep Cup, June 2018:Matt is still small and far from finished growing. He is fast and stayed around the play. Nice touches on pucks and a clever stick handle to create. He is really smart and gets to excellent spots at both ends of the ice. He has a low center of gravity and that helped him along the wall and also in the face-off dot. He made some hard hits. Hid his release and can snap the puck. His shot gave goalies trouble. His hands were soft to receive pucks and hard to snap passes. Consistently was able to slip passes through. Moved really well to soft ice. Once he adds size and strength, his game will intensify as he should be able to get to the net more and play with even more pop. Size did not limit overall here, however. Smart with a great approach.
2003s: Mass Hockey Festival, May 2018: Matt is a high compete player. Played with great pave on the rush and has a quick stick. Scored a goal on a wrister and another on the rush where he held off the defenseman and snapped it far side. He can fire it off his stickhandle and with his feet moving. Speed and an allusive element. Athletic player who is still small. He will improve as he has nice tools. One of our higher rated played who did not make the Final 40. Neutral Zone’s 4 highest rated forwards Jack Hughes, JP Turner, Timmy Delay, Cullin Wilson and 4 of the highest rated defensemen Aidan Lyons, Joe Fleming, Patrick Morrissey and Declan Loughnane were QMJHL selections.
U14: ECC Labor Day, September 2017: Our notes last time had him as a small and crafty forward. He can play for smaller guy, when he moves the puck he is very effective. He plays with his head up and his IQ is high. Made some nice plays for goals and assists. He needs to work harder for loose pucks but when he applies himself he is very effective and fun to watch.
U14: River Rats Jamboree, September 2017: Small/crafty forward who can create offense, his line was constantly playing in the offensive zone. He protects the puck well and works hard to compete for possession. He wants the puck on his stick, he plays with his head up and is looking to make plays. Needs to work harder to get back in his own zone.
2003s: Crimson Combine, August 2017: He was fun to watch, he is a smaller sized player, but he finishes his checks and competes for pucks. His hockey IQ is very high, he knows how to use his linemates all over the ice. Had two goals including the GWG in overtime. He plays with his head up and uses his support well. Needs to get work harder on the backcheck as that will help to start to round out his overall game. 2019 QMJHL Selections Ryan St. Louis, Billy Norcross, JP Turner, Paul Davey, Timmy Delay, Jack Hughes, Matthew McGroarty, Patrick Morrissey and goaltender Nick Bevilacqua made their mark at the Combine. Interestingly, 2019 QMJHL #2 overall selection Anthony Cafarelli and 2004 birth year Michael Callow were on Neutral Zone’s honorable mention list.
Mini Chowder Cup, August 2017: He is the typical, talented, setup man: he may be small at 5’6 but he is great at thinking one play ahead in his mind. He is able to concentrate on possessing the puck while evaluating his options on the rush. He makes crisp area passes which makes things easier for his linemates. Works hard to pry pucks loose and create instant transition. We liked how he protected the puck which helped him in transition on the rush as well as the cycle in zone. First step is to the net which opened up lanes and allowed him to be a triple threat with the puck. Smart player with an excellent shot. Consistent. He will be worth a watch entering his age 15 season. 2019 QMJHL Selections Cooper Flinton, Declan Loughnane and Aidan Lyons participated in the tournament as well.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images