Bowling Green State University Athletics
Matsumoto Drafted By Philadelphia In 3rd Round of 2006 NHL Draft
June 24, 2006 | Ice Hockey
June 24, 2006
VANCOUVER, BC - Bowling Green forward Jonathan Matsumoto was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 3rd round of the 2006 National Hockey League Entry Draft, held in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Saturday evening. Matsumoto, who was taken with the 79th overall selection is the 3rd Falcon drafted in the last three years, and is the 64th BGSU member to be taken in the draft all-time.
The third round pick and 79th overall selection of the Flyers is the highest BGSU selection since Peter Ratchuk was taken by the Colorado Avalanche in the first round, 25th overall.
Matsumoto is the sixth BGSU player taken by Philadelphia, joining Aris Brimanis (1991), Angelo Libertucci (1991), Paul Connell (1988), Daryn Fersovich (1984), and Duffy Smith (1975).
In two years with the Falcons Matsumoto has scored 80 points (46g, 34a) in just 72 career games.
This past season he finished the year with 20 goals, 28 assists and 48 points, all career-bests, while also posting a team-high 12 power-play goals. He scored a point in 28 of 36 games this past season and had 15 multiple point games. He had a career game versus Boston College, posting he first career hat trick. He had a nine-game point streak from Dec. 9 - Jan. 20 and was named to the UConn All-Tournament Team after scoring a tournament-best three goals.
He finished the regular season ranked 12th in the country in points per game (1.35), tied for eighth in points (46), 12th in power-play goals (10), tied for 18th in goals (18) and 11th in assists (28). In 2004 he became just the third freshman in BGSU history to lead the team in scoring, notching 32 points (18g, 14a) in 36 games. He joined George McPhee (1978-79, 88 pts.) and Gerry Bradbury (1970-71, 52 pts.) as the only others to do that. The first year Falcon also led BGSU in goals (18), PPGs (10), GWGs (5), and shot percentage (.189) and was named to the CCHA All-Rookie Honorable Mention Squad.
