Merritt Centennial Alumni Watch: Matthew Kopperud signs with Bridgeport Islanders (AHL)

MERRITT — Another former Merritt Centennial has made it to one of the highest levels of hockey.

Matthew Kopperud has signed with the Bridgeport Islanders after an extremely successful career in the NCAA with Arizona State University.

Kopperud was called “one of the most prolific scorers in ASU history” by the Arizona State. He was also nicknamed the “power play king.”

Yesterday (March 22nd, 2024) he signed with the Bridgeport Islanders of the AHL, the farm team of the NY Islanders.

Kopperud started his junior career with the Calgary Mustangs of the AJHL in 2016/17 when he would score 3 goals and 4 points in 5 games on the worst team in the AJHL that year.

He wouldn’t last long in Alberta heading to British Columbia to attempt a junior career in the BCHL with the Centennials.

kopperud stats | hockeydb.com

In his first full season with the Cents he would get 9 goals and 17 points in 40 games on a team that had a strong start then hit a lengthy losing streak and finished around .500.

In his final season he would shine with 27 goals and 51 points on Joe Martin’s famous 2018/19 team that finished first in the Interior Conference.

That year the team had a shocking finish in the playoffs with the team being upset in the first round in five games against Trail.

In the NCAA he had 64 goals and 43 assists for 107 in 118 games in four seasons.

His prolific abilities were enough to send him straight to the American Hockey League where he now has a chance to impress and possibly get a taste of action in the NHL.