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Home , Auston Matthews, Johnny Gaudreau, Mitch Marner, Phil Kessel, William Nylander

team Maple Leafs position Center spotlight A hockey prodigy has emerged from an unlikely place—the desert of Arizona—to become the NHL’s top rookie and make the Maple Leafs relevant once again.

BY JEREMY FUCHS

he word first and go together a lot. It describes him: first- overall pick. It distinguishes him: first North American to play overseas during his draft year. It defines him: first Arizonan to make the NHL. So it is not a Tsurprise that in his first game, Matthews produced a few more firsts. Take his initial NHL shift, in the ’ opener against the . His first , from in front of the crease, turned into his first . And when he found the back of the net three more times, he became the only player to score four goals in his NHL GOAL-ORIENTED debut. “So hopefully I did When he was six years all right,” the 19-year-old told reporters a day after the old, Matthews knew he wanted to play in the NHL. 5–4 loss. It was enough to make his mom, Ema, cry in He made it when the Leafs the stands. That history-making game of firsts shouldn’t drafted him No. 1 overall. have surprised anyone. It merely followed the trajectory of Auston Matthews’ life.

Photograph by Jerome Davis/Icon Auston Sportswire/Getty Images MATTHEWS

18 / SPORTS ILLUSTRATED KIDS SIKIDS.COM / 19 RAISING ARIZONA But that didn’t stop Auston. He would “He’s always exceeded what people powerhouses like Boston College and For his sixth birthday, the native of check the dressing room to see if a were expecting,” says his youth OH, CANADA! Michigan wanted him. But Matthews forged a Scottsdale, Arizona, received a team was a player short. “I always told coach, Ron Filion. “When you needed new path. He became the first North American Coyotes jersey. Upon seeing his him, if there’s less than six, you can an extra punch, he rose to the Auston Matthews isn’t the only Yankee making his way in player to bypass junior leagues or college to excitement, Ema told Auston that if play,” says Sean Whyte, the rink’s occasion. Every challenge, he’s the Great White North. There are other red, white, and blue play professionally during his draft year. Not he worked hard, he could get a college manager. Matthews carried every color surpassed it.” His talent quickly stars shining bright under the Maple Leaf. that he cared about the distinction. “It was scholarship playing hockey. But that jersey in his bag—he was always ready. became obvious—he scored 55 goals never really about being a pioneer,” he said. wasn’t enough. “I want to play in the “And these 13-year-olds are going, ‘We in 2014–15, breaking ’s So Matthews headed to Zurich to play for the NHL,” he told his mom. don’t want this little kid!’ ” Whyte single-season development team Lions of the Switzerland national league. He That was an unusual declaration. recalls with a laugh. And then Auston record of 52. Troy Terry, his NTDP brought his mother and older sister, Alexandria. Hockey and Arizona weren’t a natural would score six goals. “The next week teammate and now a sophomore (His dad, Brian, stayed in Arizona with younger Wheeler grew up in Plymouth, pair. The Coyotes came to the area in they’re hoping someone doesn’t show forward at the University of Denver, sister Breyana.) Matthews quickly became a big Minnesota, but his game didn’t 1996, after 24 years as the Winnipeg up so they can have him,” says Whyte. says, “He was ridiculous. You’d look at take off until he began playing star. He scored 24 goals in 36 games—including Jets. Auston Matthews was born a His three-on-three prowess aside, who you were going against next in north of the border after a 2011 one in his first contest. (See? He had this debut year later. But he took to the sport Matthews has had a tendency to the drill, and if it was Auston, you trade. Wheeler has scored 26 or thing down pat.) He was 10th in the league in early, going to games with his uncle. sneak up on people. No one expected would think of ways to not get more goals in each of the last points and finished second in MVP voting. “The next morning, Auston would he would be this good. When he was embarrassed.” But to expect him to three seasons. In 2016, he was “He’s a bright kid,” says , his play hockey under the table with two picked in 2013 for the U.S. National take the hockey world by storm, from named , a year after coach with the Lions and now an assistant with pencils and a bottle cap,” Ema told SI Development Team in Ann Arbor, sunny Arizona? finishing tied for second in points the Senators. “He was very refreshingly last year. When he started playing the Michigan, the selection committee Whyte certainly didn’t see it among players born in the U.S. centered and really directed in what he wanted. sport, no NHLer had ever come from members didn’t quite know what they coming. “No one from Arizona has You could tell that he wanted to be a hockey Arizona. As a squirt playing at had. “We didn’t think that this is a ever been like this,” he says. “This is player.” Ozzie Ice, a rink in Phoenix, he would potential number one pick on the ice,” uncharted territory.” MAX PACIORETTY wait around and watch the says Jim Johansson, an To Matthews, though, his place of FUTURE FACE OF THE NHL bantam games, hoping the FAVORITE SON executive with USA origin is just a part of his story. “It Matthews is more than just a one-game, When the Leafs Pacioretty has taken to Quebecois teams would need an Hockey. doesn’t matter where you’re from,” he four-goal wonder. Through February 20, he traveled to Arizona life quite well. The native of extra player. Every time there was says. “Everybody has their own route had 28 goals, tied for third-best in the NHL in December (below), New Canaan, Connecticut, Matthews got a chance Back then, Ozzie Ice only doubt, however, to get to the same place.” became just the third U.S.-born and tied for first among rookies. He was held three-on-three games. to show off in front of Matthews delivered. While Matthews might downplay named an All-Star, becoming the youngest the hometown fans. player to captain the his journey, residents of Habs, two seasons Leaf to be invited to the game since Wendel the Grand Canyon State after becoming the first Clark in 1985–86. And he’s becoming more see things differently. to score 30 goals with well-rounded on the ice. In a 2–1 win in “It’s the biggest year of the team. December over defending champ Pittsburgh, hockey in Arizona,” says Matthews and his line faced stars Evgeni Mike DeAngelis, the Malkin and Phil Kessel and held the puck director of hockey for the JOHNNY GAUDREAU nearly 60% of the time. “He’s on the fast Junior Coyotes, the track,” Leafs coach said this state’s premiere youth Flames winter. “It’s going to be apparent to the whole He may be small, but Gaudreau’s club team. “Auston is the league shortly.” impact on the ice has been larger- flag-bearer, the name of than-life. The 5'9" 157-pounder What’s apparent to the whole league now is Southern hockey.” from Oldsman Township, that the Maple Leafs are a lot better. Led by , is pure offense. Matthews, and fellow rookies STUDY ABROAD During his rookie season with the and , the Leafs were in the Before Matthews could Flames, in 2014–15, he scored thick of the playoff hunt this season, a year play in the NHL, he had 24 goals and 64 points, finishing after finishing in last place. “It’s a dream come NORM HALL/NHLI/GETTY IMAGES HALL/NHLI/GETTY NORM two choices: Play junior third in the Calder Trophy voting. true,” says Matthews. “It’s been a learning hockey, or play in college. Last season, he scored 30 goals, experience, but it’s been everything I imagined The Western Hockey and his 78 points were most it to be.” League’s Everett on the team by 15. He has the rest of his NHL career ahead of (Washington) Silvertips him. But first things first: Auston Matthews

owned his rights. NCAA FROM TOP: JONATHAN DANIEL/GETTY IMAGES; JUAN OCAMPO/NHLI/GETTY IMAGES; FRANCOIS LAPLANTE/FREESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHY/GETTY IMAGES will never take anyone by surprise again. ■

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