Auston Matthews is a Canadian professional ice hockey center who currently plays for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). Matthews is widely considered one of the most talented and prolific goalscorers in the NHL today. He has won numerous awards and accolades, including the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s Rookie of the Year in 2017.
Matthews was born on September 17, 1997, in San Ramon, California. He began playing hockey at a young age and quickly developed a reputation as a natural goalscorer. Matthews moved to Scottsdale, Arizona, with his family when he was an infant and later moved to Toronto, Ontario.
After playing hockey in the Arizona youth hockey system, Matthews moved to Toronto to play for the Mississauga Steelheads of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). In his first season with the Steelheads, Matthews led the league in goals with 40, helping the team reach the OHL finals.
Matthews’ impressive performance in the OHL caught the attention of NHL scouts, and he was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs with the first overall pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. Matthews made an immediate impact in the NHL, scoring four goals in his first game, becoming the first player in NHL history to score four goals in his debut.
Matthews has continued to impress in the NHL, establishing himself as one of the league’s premier goal-scorers. He has won numerous awards, including the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s Rookie of the Year in 2017, the Maurice Richard Trophy as the NHL’s leading goal-scorer in 2019–20, and the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s Most Valuable Player in 2021–22.
Matthews is also known for his strong work ethic and determination. He is a dedicated teammate and a role model for young hockey players. He is widely considered one of the most exciting and electrifying players in the NHL today.