Gilmour’s Sutton on NHL radar
Lancer appears on Preliminary Central Scouting list
The National Hockey League released their Preliminary Central Scouting list earlier this month and, as usual, it was comprised mostly of major junior, college, Tier I and II Junior A and European players. There are always some high school players in the mix as well and, amid all of the Minnesotans and New Englanders there was the latest evidence of high-end talent being developed right here in Ohio.
Matthew Sutton, a 5’11”, 172-pound right wing on Gilmour Academy’s Prep team was rated as a “C” prospect, which indicates he is a candidate to be selected in the fourth- to sixth-round of the draft. He is also committed to play NCAA Division I hockey at Brown University.
Sutton scored 16 points (10-6-16) in 20 games for the Lancers in the Midwest Prep Hockey League (MPHL) last season. A native of Gibsonia, PA, he played his AAA hockey with the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite program and was invited to the USA Hockey Select 16 and 17 festivals.
Gilmour head coach Michael Chiellino says Sutton has an amazing ability to change his speed and deceive defenders.
“His skating ability, puck protection as a whole, and shot release is at an extremely high caliber,” he said. “More importantly he has a work ethic both in the classroom, in the gym and on the ice that is second to none.”
Matthew Sutton, Gilmour Academy '19
Having top-notch hockey skills grabs the attention of scouts and recruiters, but to have an opportunity to play in the Ivy League, you need to excel in the classroom as well.
“Matthew is a top student here at Gilmour Academy,” says Chiellino. “He skates 1-2 times at our arena every day and is regularly in our weight room following a strength and conditioning plan.”
Deciding which college offer to accept is a big decision, but the answer was clear to Sutton.
“I had multiple options when it came to my college decision,” Sutton said. “But to be honest it all came down to what school/program was the right fit for me. I wanted a place that combined academics and athletics, which Brown does. Also the coaching staff is fantastic.”
For Sutton it was about more than just the hockey.
“At the end of the day I wanted to go to a place where I felt really wanted and Brown displayed that to me,” he said. “All around it was the right fit for me to succeed in my academic and hockey path.”
Sutton’s commitment to Brown University begins with the 2020-21 season. That gives him a year between GA and his freshman year of college for further development.
“Matt is keeping his options open for next season right now,” said Chiellino. “He has skated with and visited some USHL teams and has already been offered tenders in the NAHL.”
Sutton will also explore the BCHL – one of the top Junior A leagues in Canada – to keep all options open, and will make a decision later this year.
For now, he will concentrate on having a big final season with the Lancers.
“Gilmour gave me the tools I needed to advance and develop myself into the player I am today,” said Sutton. “The constant access I have to the amazing facilities and coaching here is second to none. I have every opportunity here to succeed, it has been up to me to use everything that is available here at Gilmour Academy. Working hard day in and day out has been crucial in my development as a hockey player and student over the past two years.”
Sutton’s commitment will add to the long list of college hockey players from Gilmour Academy – a list that now stands at 252 former Lancers who have, or who are playing, some level of college hockey.
Twenty-two former Lancers have moved on to play pro hockey – including current New York Rangers defenseman John Gilmour. Last year, in just his second season of pro hockey, Gilmour appeared in 28 NHL games. He is back with the Rangers’ farm team in Hartford to start this season but, with the Rangers rebuilding, there will be ample opportunity for another call-up.
There is also Hampus Gustafsson with the Hershey Bears and Michael Phillips, currently playing with Wheeling in the ECHL, to name a few.
“The MPHL has a long list of college hockey alumni as well but this one is the most recent so hopefully it will raise the profile of our league more,” Chiellino said of Sutton’s commitment to Brown. “The accomplishment to be on the NHL Central Scouting list is also very exciting for both our league as well as our hockey program here at GA.”
--- Scott Harrington for Ohio Hockey Digest
