Matt Nieto
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Birthday:
1992-11-05 |
Position:
LW |
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Eligible for draft:
2011 |
Shoots:
Right |
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Drafted:
2011 |
Height:
5-11 |
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Acquired:
2nd round (47th overall), 2011 |
Weight:
183 lbs. |
Prospect Talent Score
Probability of Success
- C
History
2007-08: Played for Salisbury Prep, scoring 8 goals and adding 10 assists for 18 points in 23 games.
2008-09: Nieto split time between the U.S. NTDP Under-17 and Under-18 squads this season. In 51 games for the U-17 team, he scored 20 goals and chipped in 33 assists for 53 points. In 13 games for the U-18 squad, Nieto scored 6 goals and added 8 assists for 14 points. Nieto earned the first of two consecutive gold medals at the U-18 World Junior Championship as a member of Team USA. In 7 games, he scored 4 goals and added 12 penalty minutes.
2009-10: Nieto split time between the U.S. squad playing in the USHL and the national program. In 24 USHL games, he scored 15 goals and added 14 assists for 29 points. In 54 games for the Under-18 team, Nieto scored 28 goals and added 26 assists for 54 points. He also picked up 1 goal in 3 games for the Under-17 squad. At the 2010 U-18 World Junior Championship, Nieto again earned a gold medal, scoring 1 goal and adding 3 assists for 4 points in 7 games.
2010-11: Nieto played his freshman season at Boston University. In 39 games, he scored 10 goals and added 13 assists for 23 points.
2011-12: Nieto had an excellent sophomore season at Boston University where the speedy winger scored 16 goals along with 26 assists and a solid plus 19 rating in 37 NCAA games. The offensively talented winger played on both specialty teams units, scoring four power play goals, a shorthanded tally and three important game winning goals this year.
Talent Analysis
Nieto has very quick four-step acceleration and uses his explosive speed to force the oppositions' defenseman to be cautious when defending against him. The sophomore winger has improved his overall game, is equally as fast with or without the puck and has a quick release. He needs to add more muscle mass and continue improving his overall game while putting up better offensive numbers and shooting much more often instead of forcing bad passes.
Future
Nieto will play his junior year at Boston University and continue his overall development at the NCAA level. He will be expected to lead the Terrier's offense and provide character and leadership to the younger incoming players.
