MANSFIELD — From the halls of Mansfield High School to the rink at Foxboro Sports Center, Matt Copponi's hockey journey has led him to one of the top programs in NCAA Division I college hockey and an NHL Stanley Cup finalist rink.
The three-year standout at Merrimack College and Warriors' leading scorer last season is transferring to Boston University to join the Terriers, a Frozen Four semifinalist, next season.
Additionally, Copponi was recently invited by the Edmonton Oilers, who selected him with a seventh-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, to attend their annual development camp, which took place last week for the second consecutive year.
“I never want to take anything for granted,” Copponi told the Oilers website. “This opportunity to be a part of such a great organization is something I never take for granted and it's something I want to wake up to every day and live this lifestyle.”
“I think it's just about learning the little things, whether it's in the classroom, on the hockey rink or in the gym,” Copponi added. “I've been ignored a lot in my life, so I just keep my head down and keep working because I believe in myself.”
Copponi was one of 17 players in the Oilers' pipeline invited to an off-ice camp that included fitness testing, training sessions and off-ice team-building activities.
That's a far cry from his time at Mansfield High School, when as a sophomore in 2018-19 he appeared in 21 games for Hornets coach Mike Balzarini, recording eight goals and 28 assists for 36 points.
Copponi went on to play for the Dexter Southfield Academy prep school program, scoring 42 points in 30 games, and also played for the Neponset River Rats club program, scoring 103 points in 85 regular season games.
“I've been overlooked a little bit in my hockey career, so this is a surreal moment for me, my family and everybody back home,” Copponi said of joining the Oilers program. “Everybody's rooting for me and I'm just here to give it my all and prove what I can do.”
Over three seasons at Merrimack, Copponi totaled 92 points and 70 assists in 92 games.
“I love the sport of hockey,” Copponi said, “it's my favorite sport in the world, so I think every day I just fall in love with it more and more and enjoy it, because like I said, I love the sport of hockey and I love playing and I love putting on my skates.”
He recently finished his junior season strong at North Andover, Merrimack, where he led the Warriors in scoring with 32 points (25 assists) in 30 games, including a 12-game point streak during the Hockey East season, and also excelled defensively, blocking 31 shots.
The 20-year-old had gone undrafted in two NHL drafts before the Oilers selected him 216th overall out of Merrimack College.
Copponi flew out to Edmonton Development Camp in Western Canada for the second time in the first week of July, uncertain as to whether he would have a path to becoming a professional hockey player. This opportunity is the result of his dedication to training, good work habits and belief in himself.
“This means a lot to me right now,” Copponi said, “it really does. It means my work hasn't paid off yet, but I'm starting to get closer to that stage in my career and it's a complete honor and privilege.”
In his second season at Merrimack, Copponi tied for the team lead with 14 goals and added 15 assists while finishing second on the team with 29 points. His five power play goals were a team-high for the Warriors, who finished the season with 23 wins and he was named to the Hockey East All-Tournament Team.
Copponi seemed a bit disheartened after two straight seasons without his name being called in the NHL Draft and his rookie season at Merrimack in 2022 ended with him being named the starting line-up for the NBA.
In his first season in NCAA Division I and Hockey East, he played with players four to six years older than him and recorded nine points (three goals, six assists) as an 18-year-old.
“I went undrafted twice, so I really focused on embracing that mentality and not letting it faze me,” Copponi said. “As soon as those two drafts were over, I just put my head down and went to work. That's kind of my personality.”
“That's what my life is all about,” he added. “I've been pretty ignored in life so I'm just going to keep my head down and keep working because I believe in myself and I believe I can do what I'm capable of and be successful.”
Things started to change for Copponi last year as his offensive production and opportunities exploded. The gritty forward finished second on the Warriors' scoring list with 29 points (14 goals) in 37 games, trailing only former New York Islanders draft pick Alex Jeffries for the team lead.
“He’s been underrated as a player for a long time,” Merrimack head coach Scott Borek told MerrimackAthletics.com . “He’s a great pick for Edmonton and his best is yet to come.”
His combination of speed and tenacity caught the attention of Oilers scouts, who saw him on TV and experienced moments with his family before adding him to the organization's depth chart with the final pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.
“It was a long day, and I was so excited when I got the call,” Copponi recalled. “I didn't really know what to expect. I've been through this process a few times before, so I really didn't know what to expect.
“When we got the call and our dream came true, it was a whirlwind of emotions and brought a lot of joy and happiness to our family.”
It was that bravado that caught the eye of Boston College coach Jay Pandolfo, who welcomed him into the Terrier family.
“I think I'm a hard worker. I love to compete, I love to win, I'll do whatever it takes,” Copponi said. “My main job is finding ways to win. Just doing the things other guys aren't willing to do. Getting in the dirty areas, winning puck battles, that's the type of guy I am. I don't want to take anything for granted. This opportunity to be a part of such a great organization is something I can't take for granted. I wake up every day and I want to live this lifestyle.”
“I just focused on making the most of it,” he added. “Obviously it's been a good year, but I want to keep improving.”
