Las Vegas, NV (June 29, 2024) – Nanaimo Clippers defenceman Matt Lahey has been selected in the 7th round of 2024 NHL Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs, with the 200th overall pick.
Lahey becomes the first Nanaimo Clipper in eighteen years to be drafted into the NHL directly from the team.
“Matt chose the college route early, made our team as a sixteen year old, and worked incredibly hard to get better; he earned every minute he played,” said Clippers head coach and GM Colin Birkas. “This year, he made a massive step playing big minutes on our top pair with Brett Merner. Our entire organization is very proud of him, excited for his future with Toronto, and optimistic about the growing NHL attention our program is continuing to earn.”
The Victoria, B.C. product just completed his second BCHL season, tallying 19 points (2 goals, 17 assists) in 54 games. The 6’4”, 201lb rearguard played 34 games in his rookie campaign in 2022-23, after being recruited out of Pacific Coast Academy in the CSSHL.
He made his NCAA commitment to Division I Clarkson University last May.
Lahey is the eighth Clipper in franchise history to be drafted from the team, and the first since Marc Cheverie was selected in the 7th round of the 2006 draft by the Florida Panthers.
It caps off an eventful 2024 for NHL connections to the Clippers. Former Nanaimo goaltender Cooper Black signed his entry-level contract with the Florida Panthers this past April, while the Calgary Flames also invited Lahey’s teammate, graduating Clipper defenceman Isa Parekh, to their development camp later this summer.
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