Auston Matthews

Auston Matthews was born on September 17, 1997, in San Ramon, California. He plays for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the NHL and ranks among the best players of his generation, along with Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Nathan MacKinnon.

Auston Matthews career

Matthews grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona. He developed an early interest in hockey after watching the Arizona Coyotes, with Shane Doan as his favorite player. As a teenager, he spent one season in the Swiss League before the Toronto Maple Leafs drafted him first overall in 2016.

On October 12, 2016, Matthews debuted in the NHL against the Ottawa Senators. He scored four goals, the most in a debut game since 1917, when Joe Malone and Harry Hyland scored five each.

Matthews ended his rookie season with 40 goals and 29 assists and won the Calder Trophy.

On August 14, 2024, the Toronto Maple Leafs named Matthews as the 26th captain in franchise history.