DEV CAMP: Copponi an Oilers underdog story

EDMONTON, AB - Oilers prospect Matt Copponi simply refuses to be counted out.

The 20-year-old had been passed over in two NHL Drafts prior to the Oilers selecting him in the seventh round (216th overall) out of Merrimack College last week. Copponi went from the uncertainty of not knowing if he had a path to professional hockey, to flying out to Western Canada for the first time in his life for Oilers Development Camp.

The opportunity is a long time coming for the Mansfield, Massachusetts native, who believes his hard work and dedication is finally being rewarded.

"Honestly, it really hasn't kicked in too much. This last week has been pretty much a whirlwind since the draft. I flew out about two days later," Copponi said about being at an NHL camp. "Right now, it means the whole world to me. It really does. It means that my work is not paying off yet, but it's starting to get towards those steps in my career, and it's a complete honour and a privilege.

"I've been kind of been looked over a little bit in my life in hockey, so this is a surreal moment for me and my family and everyone back home. They're rooting for me, and I'm just here to put my best foot forward and show what I got."

Copponi went through the ringer when it came to his draft day experience, but he's all the better for it. He went undrafted out of United States high school prep in 2021, and once again did not hear his name get called after his freshman season at Merrimack in 2022. In his first NCAA season, the underdog forward managed nine points (3G, 6A) as an 18-year-old playing with men, but it wasn't enough to draw the eyes of NHL scouts.

"I was missed twice in the draft, so just taking that mentality and not letting it get to me was something I really focused on," Copponi said. "The second that those two drafts ended, I just put my head down and went to work, and that's kind of who I am. That's kind of what I have been my whole life. I've kind of been looked over a lot in my life, so just continuing to put my head down and work because I believe in myself, and I believe that I can do what I can do and make it."

Last year, things began to change for Copponi as he saw his offence and opportunity explode. The feisty forward finished second on the Warriors in scoring with 29 points (14G, 15A) in 37 games, trailing only New York Islanders draftee Alex Jeffries for the team lead. His combination of speed of tenaciousness finally broke through and the Oilers saw enough to add him to the organization with their final pick of the 2023 NHL Draft - a moment he watched on TV and got to experience with his family.

"It was a long day and it was pretty exciting to get the call. I really didn't know what was going to happen. I've been through this process a couple of times now and so just didn't really know what was going to happen," Copponi said. "I went in with an open mind and the second I got the call and my dreams came true, just a whirlwind of emotions came through and just a lot of joy and happiness in my family."

Despite not having the certainty of being drafted, Copponi admitted that the last two years have been vital in his growth as a player and a person. He showed up big when the moments counted for his college, scoring the emphatic double-overtime goal against UMass Lowell that sent Merrimack to the Hockey East Final. The Warriors season would end a goal short -- losing to Boston University in overtime in the final -- but it has only given Copponi more motivation to work on his craft.

"I think it's a lot of my personal growth. I really started focusing on my physical strength and the physical nature of my whole body, and I think just really focusing on my diet was a big thing," he said. "I really took steps as a human being as well. I think I'm learning a lot as I'm growing up and just being able to adjust and adapt to new things every day. The opportunities that I was given this year were awesome.

"I think just making the most of it was something I focused on, and obviously I had a good year, but I want to keep improving on it."

Copponi isn't your typical, flashy NHL prospect. He comes to Oilers Development Camp as a stout 5-foot-11 centre with his greatest skill is his dogged determination. However, it is that determination that helps him on and off the ice -- making his opponents life difficult while serving as fuel to his own fire.

"I think I'm a hard worker. I like to compete and I love to win. I'll do anything it takes," Copponi said. "I think just finding ways to win is my main thing, just doing things that maybe some guys may not like to do. Getting in the dirty areas, win puck battles, that's just the kind of guy I am."

The scrappiness that drives Copponi is a product of his environment. He is the youngest of a household of three boys, with both his parents having athletic backgrounds. Copponi and his brothers had dabbled in lacrosse and football, but ultimately it was hockey that captured Matt's heart.

"I absolutely love the game of hockey. It's my favourite thing in the world, so I think just continuing to fall in love with the game more and more every day and just enjoying it because like I said, I love the game of hockey and I love playing and putting my skates on," he said. "Every day, going to the rink and loving what I do I think is important."

Copponi will finish up at Oilers Development Camp on Thursday, before heading back to Merrimack for his third season of college hockey. He will return with a little more certainty that his hard work can lead to great things and incredible experiences, and he is certainly not the type of prospect anyone should count out.

"I think just never take anything for granted. This opportunity that I have to be a part of such an awesome organization, it's just something that you can't take for granted, and every day you wake up and you want to be able to live this lifestyle," he said. "I think just learning the ins and outs, whether it's the classroom, the hockey rink, or it's the gym. Just continuing to follow the lead of guys that have put good footsteps in front of me and just continue to grow."