Auston Matthews - 10 things to know with detail
- 1. Auston Matthews was born on September 17, 1997, in San Ramon, California. 2. He grew up playing hockey in Arizona, where he was a standout player for the Arizona Bobcats youth hockey program. 3. Matthews was selected first overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2016 NHL Draft, making him the first American-born player to be drafted number one since Patrick Kane in 2007. 4. In his rookie season with the Maple Leafs, Matthews made an immediate impact, scoring four goals in his NHL debut, becoming the first player in modern NHL history to do so. 5. Matthews won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's Rookie of the Year in 2017 after scoring 40 goals and 29 assists in 82 games. 6. He has represented Team USA at the IIHF World Junior Championships and the IIHF World Championships, winning a bronze medal with the latter in 2018. 7. Matthews signed a five-year contract extension with the Maple Leafs in 2019 worth $58.17 million, making him one of the highest-paid players in the NHL. 8. Off the ice, Matthews is known for his fashion sense and has been featured in several magazines and campaigns for brands like GQ and Hugo Boss. 9. Matthews is of Mexican descent through his mother, Ema, and has embraced his heritage by learning Spanish and participating in events to promote hockey in Mexico. 10. Matthews is considered one of the top players in the NHL, known for his goal-scoring ability, speed, and hockey IQ. He has consistently been among the league leaders in goals scored since entering the NHL and is a key player for the Maple Leafs.