JUST NOW:Auston Matthews returns to Phoenix area with Toronto Maple Leafs….
Like it or not — and he doesn’t seem to mind it too much — Auston Matthews is the standard bearer for hockey players from the state of Arizona, a player who has found stardom in the NHL and in one of the capitals of hockey throughout the world.
The 24-year-old Toronto Maple Leafs center and three-time All-Star from Scottsdale has become one of the faces of the league, and on Wednesday played in the same place he saw many games as a youngster following the Coyotes, Gila River Arena. It was Matthews’ first game back in Arizona since Nov. 21, 2019, when he scored a goal in the Maple Leafs’ 3-1 win.
“I don’t really think about that stuff too much, I kind of just try to approach everything the same, carry myself the same, no matter what,” Matthews said a couple of hours prior to Wednesday’s Coyotes-Maple Leafs game. “I play hockey in Toronto and that’s obviously a big market, and obviously being from here it’s much different. But it’s a blast, and I just try to have fun every day and get better and work hard. I really, really enjoy playing in Toronto. I really believe in this team. I love the passion that the city brings, Leafs Nation and all that comes along with it.
“I feel very fortunate just to be playing in the NHL,” he added.
Matthews was the first overall pick in the NHL Draft in 2016, going to the Maple Leafs after one professional season in Switzerland and a stellar junior career. In his NHL debut on Oct. 13, 2016, he scored four goals, becoming the first player in the NHL’s modern era to do so.
That season, Matthews led all rookies in goals with 40 and points with 69. He was named the winner of the Calder Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s rookie of the year.
Matthews had 388 career points in 365 games in the NHL, with 222 goals. He led Toronto in goals and points this season with 23 and 37, respectively, going into Wednesday’s game.
Matthews spends his offseasons in Arizona, with his family and circle of friends all in the area. He grew up a Coyotes fan, and on Wednesday members of his mother’s side of the family from Mexico were in town to watch him play.
Matthews said he has young cousins who have watched him and are developing hockey players themselves. He realizes he can have an impact in growing the game in Mexico, although he doesn’t think too much about it.
I just try to be myself every day and lead by example and be a good role model for kids no matter where they’re from,” Matthews said. “But obviously having that connection to Mexico, I think at some point I’ll definitely want to get involved in that.”
Matthews planned to “soak it in” on Wednesday, re-living memories of his hockey-playing youth knowing a lot of fans came to the game to see him. He hopes the Coyotes can remain in the area and continue to exist in the NHL, and get past the various issues that have nagged the franchise over the years.
