Q&A with Matthew Wedman
The T-Birds selected center Matthew Wedman in the second round, 38th overall, in the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft. In his first season with the T-Birds, Wedman appeared in 70 games registering six goals and eight assists for 14 points with 24 penalty minutes. He appeared in all 18 playoff games for the T-Birds, recording one goal and two assists for three points. Wedman sat down to chat with us about his first season in the WHL with the T-Birds.
Seattle Thunderbirds: Thanks for sitting down with us, Matthew. First off, how’s your summer been?
MW: It’s been good! I’ve been training hard and having some fun.
ST: How was your experience in the playoffs with the T-Birds last season?
MW: It was a really fun ride! I just wish there was a different outcome.
ST: You scored the game-winning goal to win the Western Conference Championship in a double-overtime game against Kelowna. How was that moment for you?
MW: It was surreal. It’s the kind of thing I would dream about when I was growing up playing minor hockey.
ST: After you scored the game-winning goal you were mobbed by teammates and fans went nuts. Some have said that the ShoWare Center was the loudest it has even been after your goal. What are your thoughts on the celebration and crowd reaction after the goal?
MW: It was definitely the loudest I’ve ever heard ShoWare or any game I’ve been to! It was a pretty special feeling hearing the crowd and seeing all the boys celebrating!
ST: The T-Birds fell to the Brandon Wheat Kings in five games in the Championship. What do you think the team needs to do next season to win a title?
MW: I think we just need to play our game and keep adding on to the success we had last season. If we do that, I think we can win the championship.
ST: How would you say your rookie season last year was overall for you?
MW: I thought I had a solid rookie season. I think my experience last year will really help me improve for next season.
ST: You have older two brothers who also play hockey. One played for the Spokane Chiefs while another played hockey at Cornell University. How did your family get into hockey?
MW: I’m not really sure! My dad was a basketball player so he didn’t know too much about hockey. He just signed up my brothers and me and we fell in love with the game.
ST: You were recently listed on NHL Central Scouting’s Futures Watch List along with teammates Jarret Tyszka and Sami Moilanen. Is this something that you think about at all? Or does it not really matter to you?
MW: I try not to think about that stuff too much. I’m just going to go out and play my game.
ST: What types of training have you been doing during the offseason?
MW: I’ve mostly been training in the gym and doing some skating.
ST: Is there anything you’re looking to improve on for next season?
Matthew Wedman skating in a game against Tri-City at ShoWare Center.
MW: I’m looking to shoot the puck more and be quicker on the ice.
ST: Is there an NHL player you model your game after?
MW: I like to watch Sean Monahan on the Calgary Flames.
ST: That’s all the time we have for today. Thanks for sitting down and talking with us, Matthew!
MW: Thanks! I’m looking forward to heading back to camp.
Seattle Thunderbirds Public & Media Relations Intern Kerry Colby conducted the Q&A with Matthew Wedman. The team will be posting Q&A’s during the off-season with returning T-Birds players.
