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36 // JULY 2023 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM VIDEO: BECOMING WILD: MATT BOLDY VIDEO: GET TO KNOW RISING WILD STAR MATT BOLDY It still just feels kind of crazy to be honest. But I am appreciative of it all." –Matt Boldy However, for nearly the first time in his career, things didn't go as smoothly once he arrived at Boston College. Boldy's slight struggles his freshman season led to one of the biggest hurdles he had faced yet in his career. "The biggest thing, looking back, was not making that World Junior team my first year," explained Boldy. "Seeing some of my best friends make that team and go and play, that was a kick in the butt that reminded me to kind of snap out of the drought I was in." The next year, Boldy earned himself a spot on the 2021 U.S. National Junior Team and helped the red, white and blue take home a gold medal. WILD RIDE In 47 games of his first professional season, Boldy posted 39 points (15 goals, 24 assists). In his sophomore season, he nearly doubled that with 31 goals and 63 points through 81 regular season games—including signing a seven-year, $49 million contract which solidifies his place at the corp of a burgeoning Wild team. Has the whirlwind of the past few years been what he's expected? "You don't really expect it to happen at all," Boldy said. "Sure, when you're younger and you have those dreams and aspirations, there's the thought of making it (to the NHL). Sometimes you don't get a chance to look at the journey and all the ups and downs until you're there because it all happens so quick. Once you make it, it's about having an impact and being a player that people can look to make plays and carry a big role on the team. That's kind of the biggest thing I've looked at. "It still just feels kind of crazy to be honest. But I am appreciative of it all." Crazy indeed. P Jessi Pierce is a freelance writer covering the NHL and hockey in Minnesota. She hosts Bardown Beauties podcast and can be fol- lowed on X @jessi_pierce. 36 // OCTOBER 2023 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM