Auston Matthews is an American ice hockey center and alternate captain for the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was born on September 17, 1997, in San Ramon, California. He was selected first overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, becoming the first American to be picked with the top selection since Patrick Kane in 2007. Matthews scored four goals in his debut game on October 12, 2016, setting a modern NHL record. He continued to impress, scoring 40 goals in his rookie season, and winning the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's top rookie. He won the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy as the league's leading goal-scorer for two consecutive seasons (2020-21 and 2021-22).
In the 2023-24 season, Matthews signed a 4-year contract extension with the Maple Leafs. In the team's home opener, he scored his eighth career hat trick against the Canadiens, followed by his ninth career hat trick in the next game against the Wild, making him the first player since Alexander Ovechkin in 2017 to score back-to-back hat tricks at the start of a season.
Read More. Auston Matthews Parents
Auston Matthews Stanley Cup Wins
According to The Hockey News, Auston Matthews has not yet won a Stanley Cup. He emphasized that his primary focus is on winning a Stanley Cup rather than breaking Wayne Gretzky's goal-scoring record. He acknowledges that achieving the championship is the main objective for all players in the league. Matthews expressed that this goal is always at the forefront of his mind and drives his daily efforts.
Auston Matthews stated, “Not really. Obviously, my No. 1 most important thing — the goal that we’re all after, all 32 teams, every single guy in the league — is trying to win a Stanley Cup. That’s at the front of my mind and that’s what I’m working towards and going after every single day.”
In the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Matthews helped the Toronto Maple Leafs reach the second round but faced challenges against the Florida Panthers. While Matthews had notable performances in the first round, he struggled to produce against the Panthers, raising questions about his playoff consistency. The Maple Leafs faced a setback as they were defeated by the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Auston Matthews Milestones
According to Sportsnet, Auston Matthews has achieved several significant milestones during his NHL career. He made history as the first Toronto Maple Leaf to score 60 goals in a season during the 2021-22 campaign, earning his second consecutive Rocket Richard Trophy and his first Hart Memorial Trophy as the league's MVP. Additionally, Matthews tallied multiple hat tricks throughout his career, including six in the 2023-24 season. In the 2023-2024 season, he recorded his career-high 69 goals.
Milestone | Achievement | Season |
First 60-goal season | Scored 60 goals | 2021-22 |
First Rocket Richard Trophy | Awarded for most goals in a season | 2021-22, 2022-23 |
First Rocket Richard Trophy | Awarded for most goals in a season | 2021-22, 2022-23 |
First Hart Memorial Trophy | NHL MVP | 2021-22 |
First career hat trick | Scored 3 goals in a game | October 12, 2016 |
Multiple hat tricks | Six hat tricks including during the 2023-24 season | Various seasons |
career-high | 69 goals | 2023-24 |
Auston Matthews Awards
According to Sportsnet, Auston Matthews has received numerous prestigious awards throughout his NHL career. He was named Rookie of the Month in December 2016 and won the Calder Memorial Trophy for the best rookie in 2017. He was selected to the NHL All-Rookie Team that same year and has served as a captain at the NHL All-Star Game multiple times from 2017 to 2024.
Matthews earned the NHL All-Star Game MVP award in 2024 and has been recognized with the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy for being the league's top goal scorer in 2021, 2022, and 2024. He also received the Hart Memorial Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award in 2022, along with being named to the NHL First All-Star Team and Second All-Star Team in various years.
NHL | |
Rookie of the Month | December 2016 |
NHL All-Star Game (*captain) | 2017, 2018, 2019*, 2020, 2022*, 2023, 2024* |
NHL All-Star Game MVP | 2024 |
Calder Memorial Trophy | 2017 |
NHL All-Rookie Team | 2017 |
EA Sports NHL cover athlete | 2020, 2022 |
Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy | 2021, 2022, 2024 |
NHL Second All-Star Team | 2021 |
Hart Memorial Trophy | 2022 |
Ted Lindsay Award | 2022 |
NHL First All-Star Team | 2022 |
FAQ's on Auston Matthews Stanley Cup Wins
A. Auston Matthews has recorded 13 hat-tricks in regular season as per 2023-2024.
A. Auston Matthews came short only one goal, recording 69 goals in the 2023-2024 NHL season.
A. Auston Matthews made his NHL debut on October 12, 2016, against the Ottawa Senators.
A. Auston Matthews named 26th captain of the Maple Leafs in 2024.
A. Matthews played for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program and the ZSC Lions in the Swiss National League A before joining the NHL.