Leafs’ Matthews off to flying start
Auston Matthews is proving that growing up in the desert will not keep him from being dominant on the ice.
The Toronto Maple Leafs rookie, who grew up in Scottsdale, Ariz., has 20 goals in his first 37 NHL games and is on pace to finish the season with 44, which would rank sixth among rookies in NHL history. If Matthews, 19, hits 44, he would be the second youngest — to Wayne Gretzky — to score that many as a rookie. (Gretzky played in the World Hockey Association before the NHL.)
Matthews had recorded 134 shots on goal and 14 assists, too.
“It’s been pretty impressive to watch,” Toronto left wing James van Riemsdyk told USA TODAY Sports. “Just the consistency he’s been able to play with. The skill is pretty tremendous, but you can tell he’s driven to be an elite player.”
Matthews’ mother was born in Mexico and his father is from
California. He was exposed to the NHL because his uncle took him to Phoenix Coyotes games when he was younger.
“No one can again say that because you’re not from a hockey family or a traditional hockey area that you can’t become a star,” USA Hockey executive director Dave Ogrean said.
Matthews was named rookie of the month Tuesday after finishing December with eight goals and 12 points in 12 games.
“From October until now there’s been a lot of good in my game,” Matthews said. “I just want to continue to improve every day.”
Even if he doesn’t hit 40 goals, Matthews’ start might be the best ever by an American-born player. Neal Broten, who was born in Roseau, Minn., holds the record for most goals by an American rookie with 38 in 1981-82 for the Minnesota North Stars.
In 1989-90, two of America’s best had breakout seasons as rookies, with Mike Modano of Westland, Mich., scoring 29 goals and Jeremy Roenick of Boston putting up 26.
“In terms of the start, I think he’s ahead of where Mike and I were,” Roenick said. “Mike was more mature physically than I was, and Auston is more mature than Mike. I think that’s one thing that Auston has going for him. He’s big and strong and not built like a 19-year-old.”
When Roenick and Modano came up, the NHL was averaging 7.36 goals a game. Matthews is putting up his numbers in a season in which games produce 5.46 goals.
“His hockey IQ is off the charts,” Roenick said. “I think that’s a trait that Mike and I also had. We knew where to go. It’s about anticipation.”
Roenick says Matthews’ tactics are different from the ones he and Modano used.
“He goes to the high-traffic area and sticks around longer,” Roenick said. “Mike and I chased the puck all over the place. We skated a lot. We anchored power plays from the side boards, and Matthews spends a lot of time in the slot. He has an uncanny ability to get the puck back when he loses it.”
Matthews says where he has made the biggest strides as a player is in his defensive game. “It was tough playing away from the puck the first two months,” he said.
With Matthews leading the way, the rebuilding Maple Leafs are within two points of a playoff spot after missing the postseason in 10 of the past 11 seasons.
“He wants to be great, and he’s getting very good without the puck,” Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock said. “He’s got to get way better in the faceoff circle, and he will get even better in that area.”
Matthews was better prepared for NHL competition than most rookies because he played last season in the Swiss National League A. At this point, he looks like the favorite for rookie of the year. He helped his cause Sunday with an overtime goal in the Centennial Classic outdoor game in Toronto.
“There has never been any doubts about him, but I think now people are seeing what we have been seeing for a long time with him,” Toronto defenseman Morgan Rielly said. “He’s a dominant first-line center.”
Babcock said in the beginning of the season he was managing Matthews’ game situations, making sure he wasn’t in matchups that would discourage him.
“But I don’t look after him anymore,” Babcock said.