Auston Matthews is an American ice hockey player and captain for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the NHL. He began his playing career in his native Arizona, playing for the Kharkiv minor hockey team in the 2010 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. He later signed a one-year contract to play for the ZSC Lions of the Swiss National League A (NLA). Matthews made his NLA debut on September 18, 2015, scoring his first goal against Benjamin Conz of HC Fribourg-Gottéron at the Hallenstadion. He finished the 2015–16 regular season as the Lions' second-leading scorer and tenth in the NLA, scoring 24 goals and 46 points in 36 games. He also won the NLA Rising Star Award and was runner-up to Bouchard in MVP voting.
Matthews was widely considered to be the top prospect in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, and he was selected first overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs. He made his NHL debut on October 12, 2016, against the Ottawa Senators and scored four goals, all against Craig Anderson. This was the first time in modern NHL history a player had scored four goals in their debut. He finished his rookie season with 40 goals and 69 points, and he was named the NHL Calder Memorial Trophy winner as the league's top rookie.
Read More: Auston Matthews' parents
Why did Auston Matthews wear 34?
According to The Hockey Writers, Auston Matthews chose to wear jersey number 34 because of his childhood nickname, "Papi". His nickname was inspired by David Ortiz, also known as "Big Papi", a former baseball player who wore jersey number 34 for the Boston Red Sox.
Matthews was a big fan of Ortiz growing up, admiring his power and his clutch hitting. Matthews has said that he has always admired Ortiz's work ethic and his dedication to his family. Auston Matthews' father, Brian, played baseball in college and hoped Auston would follow in his footsteps. As per The Hockey Writers, His father wanted him to play baseball, but Auston found it too slow and decided to focus on hockey instead. In his own words, Matthews shared,
“I was really into baseball because my dad and grandpop played it growing up. I really enjoyed hitting the most, and that was really my strong suit. I enjoyed catching as well.”
What team does Auston Matthews play for?
Auston Matthews plays for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the NHL. As of 2025, he is the team's captain, having taken on this role for the 2024-25 season. Matthews was drafted first overall in the 2016 NHL Draft and made an immediate impact, winning the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's top rookie in 2017. He has won the Rocket Richard Trophy three times as the NHL's leading goal scorer. In addition to his accolades, Matthews has represented the United States in international competitions. He was named the Maple Leafs' captain in 2024, becoming the first American to hold that position in the team's history.
FAQs on Auston Matthews
A. Auston Matthews wears jersey no. 34 for the Maple Leafs.
A. Auston Matthews' nickname is "Papi." His nickname was inspired by David Ortiz, a former baseball player also known as "Big Papi."
A. Auston Matthews plays for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL).
A. Auston Matthews was named the 26th captain of the Maple Leafs in 2024.
