Auston Matthews is widely recognized as one of the premier hockey players in the NHL today. The American forward made an immediate impact, earning Rookie of the Year honors in the 2016-17 season and securing his first MVP award during the 2021-22 campaign. Throughout his entire 10-year NHL career, Matthews has remained loyal to the Toronto Maple Leafs, consistently leading the team to the playoffs each season while pursuing his first Stanley Cup championship.
Beyond his NHL success, Matthews is a pivotal figure for the United States national team, representing Team USA in prestigious tournaments like the Four Nations and the Olympics.
Hometown and Early Life
Matthews was born in San Ramon, California, on September 17, 1997. Shortly after his birth, his family relocated to Scottsdale, Arizona, where he spent his formative years. His amateur hockey development took place with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, based in Plymouth, Michigan. Notably, Matthews also spent a year playing professionally for the ZSC Lions in Switzerland before settling in Toronto for his NHL career.
Junior Hockey Path
Unlike many NHL prospects, Matthews did not follow the traditional junior hockey route. Although drafted by the Everett Silvertips in the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft, he chose to hone his skills with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, which competes in the United States Hockey League and focuses on preparing players for international competition.
After the 2014-15 season, Matthews faced a critical decision: continue with amateur hockey, transition to major junior hockey in Canada, or pursue professional opportunities abroad. He opted for the latter, joining the ZSC Lions in Switzerland's National League A. This experience proved invaluable, as he was subsequently selected first overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2016 NHL Draft.
Career Statistics
Here is a breakdown of Auston Matthews' career stats with the Toronto Maple Leafs:
| Season | Team | GP | Goals | Assists | Points | +/- | |----------|--------------|-----|-------|---------|--------|-----| | 2016-17 | Maple Leafs | 82 | 40 | 29 | 69 | 2 | | 2017-18 | Maple Leafs | 62 | 34 | 29 | 63 | 25 | | 2018-19 | Maple Leafs | 68 | 37 | 36 | 73 | -9 | | 2019-20 | Maple Leafs | 70 | 47 | 33 | 80 | 19 | | 2020-21 | Maple Leafs | 52 | 41 | 25 | 66 | 21 | | 2021-22 | Maple Leafs | 73 | 60 | 46 | 106 | 20 | | 2022-23 | Maple Leafs | 74 | 40 | 45 | 85 | 31 | | 2023-24 | Maple Leafs | 81 | 69 | 38 | 107 | 31 | | 2024-25 | Maple Leafs | 67 | 33 | 45 | 78 | 11 | | 2025-26 | Maple Leafs | 51 | 26 | 22 | 48 | 4 | | Total| Maple Leafs| 680| 427| 348| 775| 155 |
Matthews' journey highlights the importance of alternative pathways in sports careers, demonstrating that success can be achieved through diverse experiences and international exposure.
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