Auston Matthews

Auston Matthews is an American professional ice hockey player who currently serves as the captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on September 17, 1997, in San Ramon, California, Matthews moved to Scottsdale, Arizona, at a young age. He developed a passion for hockey by attending Phoenix Coyotes games and was inspired by players like Shane Doan and Daniel Brière. At five years old, he began playing hockey with the Arizona Bobcats minor hockey program.

???? Career Highlights

• NHL Debut: Matthews was selected first overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2016 NHL Draft.

• Rookie Season: In his debut season (2016–17), he scored 40 goals and 29 assists, winning the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's Rookie of the Year.

• Record-Breaking Seasons: Matthews set a new franchise record for the Maple Leafs with 69 goals in the 2023–24 season, surpassing Alexander Ovechkin's previous record of 65 goals in a single season. He also became the first player in NHL history to score 69 goals in a season since Mario Lemieux in 1995–96.

• Awards: Matthews has won the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy as the NHL's leading goal scorer three times (2021, 2022, 2024), the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league's Most Valuable Player in 2022, and the Ted Lindsay Award as the most outstanding player as voted by his peers in 2022.

• Captaincy: On August 14, 2024, Matthews was named the 26th captain in Toronto Maple Leafs history, becoming the first American-born player to hold the position.

???? International Play

Matthews has represented the United States in various international tournaments, including the U17 World Hockey Challenge, U18 World Championships, U20 World Championships, and the IIHF World Championship. In January 2025, he was named captain of Team USA for the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off.

???? Personal Life

Matthews comes from a family of athletes; his father played college baseball, and his uncle, Wes Matthews, briefly played in the NFL for the Miami Dolphins. His mother is of Mexican descent, and Matthews speaks some Spanish. He has two sisters: Alexandria, who is three years older, and Breyana, who is five years younger. Matthews is known for his nickname "Papi," a nod to his Mexican heritage.

???? Career Statistics (as of 2025–26 season)

• Games Played: 562

• Goals: 368

• Assists: 281

• Points: 649

• Plus/Minus: +11

• Power Play Goals: 45

• Game-Winning Goals: 16

• Shots on Goal: 2,700

• Shooting Percentage: 13.6%

???? Recent News

• Injury Update: Toronto Maple Leafs' General Manager Brad Treliving has expressed confidence in star player Auston Matthews as the team prepares to face the Montreal Canadiens. Matthews, who struggled with an upper body injury last season and managed to play only 67 games with average performance, is now reportedly in full health. Treliving reassured fans and the media that Matthews is fully ready to return to the ice and is expected to play a pivotal role in leading the team through a successful campaign in the upcoming NHL season.

• Health Status: Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews has shared encouraging news ahead of the 2025–26 NHL season, stating that he is feeling stronger and in better health following a challenging previous season marked by persistent injuries and missed games. Speaking with Nicholas J. Cotsonika, Matthews expressed optimism about the upcoming season and his physical condition. His improved health is significant for the Maple Leafs and their fans, as Matthews is a crucial contributor to the team's success. Additionally, he is also looking forward to the 2026 Winter Olympics, suggesting that his recovery and conditioning are a priority for both the NHL and international competition.

Auston Matthews continues to be a dominant force in the NHL, known for his exceptional goal-scoring ability, leadership qualities, and commitment to both his team and country.