Why did Auston Matthews wear 34?

Auston Matthews is an American ice hockey player for the Toronto Maple Leafs. He 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 that 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.

Why did Auston Matthews wear 34?

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, as per The Hockey Writers.

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. His father wanted him to play baseball, but Auston found it too slow and decided to focus on hockey instead.

What team does Auston Matthews play for?

Auston Matthews plays for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the NHL. He is the team's captain, having taken on this role for the 2024-25 season. Matthews was drafted 1st 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, as per The Star.

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