History of Auston Matthews in Timeline

Auston Matthews is an American professional ice hockey center and captain for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the NHL. Known as "Papi" or "Tone," he's considered among the best players globally, praised for his all-around skill and scoring ability. His goal-scoring prowess is often compared to that of Alexander Ovechkin, highlighting his impact on the sport.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

December 19, 1917: Early NHL Records

On December 19, 1917, Joe Malone and Harry Hyland each scored five goals in their NHL debuts, setting a historical precedent.

1966: Calder Memorial Trophy

In recognition for his accomplishments throughout the year, Matthews was awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's top rookie. He was the first Maple Leafs' rookie to receive the trophy in 50 years since Brit Selby in 1966.

1986: Wendel Clark playoff record

In 1986, Wendel Clark scored in four straight playoff games as a teenager with Toronto.

1992: Teemu Selänne's record

Since the Winnipeg Jets' Teemu Selänne in 1992–93, Matthews was also the only NHL rookie to record at least one shot on goal in all 82 regular season games.

September 17, 1997: Auston Matthews' Birth

On September 17, 1997, Auston Taylour Matthews was born. He is now known as a professional ice hockey player.

Others born on this day/year

2004: Playoff Appearance

In 2016-2017, Matthews assisted the Maple Leafs in making the playoffs for the first time in a full 82 game season since 2004.

2004: Reaching 40 goals in a season

Since the 2004-05 lockout, Auston Matthews and Alexander Ovechkin are the only two rookies to reach 40 goals in a season.

2005: National Team Development Program record

In 2005-06, Patrick Kane set the National Team Development Program record of 102 points.

January 16, 2006: Attended Coyotes Game

On January 16, 2006, Auston Matthews attended a Coyotes game at age eight, where he witnessed Alexander Ovechkin's famous goal.

2007: Ovechkin's 65 Goals

In 2007-08 Alexander Ovechkin scored 65 goals.

2007: First American top selection

In late June 2016, Auston Matthews was selected first overall in the 2016 NHL entry draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs, becoming the first American to be picked with the top selection since Patrick Kane in 2007.

2010: Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament

In 2010, Auston Matthews played in the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the Kharkiv minor ice hockey team.

2012: Drafted by Everett Silvertips

In 2012, Auston Matthews was drafted 57th overall by the Western Hockey League's (WHL) Everett Silvertips but opted to play for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program.

2013: USA Hockey National Team Development Program

Auston Matthews trained with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program during the 2013–14 and 2014–15 seasons where he put up a total of 20 points in 20 games over the 2 seasons.

2014: USA Hockey National Team Development Program

Auston Matthews trained with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program during the 2013–14 and 2014–15 seasons where he put up a total of 20 points in 20 games over the 2 seasons.

May 21, 2015: USA Hockey Bob Johnson Award

On May 21, 2015, Auston Matthews won the USA Hockey Bob Johnson Award for excellence in international competition.

August 7, 2015: Signed with ZSC Lions

On August 7, 2015, Auston Matthews signed a one-year contract to play in the Swiss National League A (NLA) for ZSC Lions.

September 18, 2015: NLA Debut

On September 18, 2015, Auston Matthews made his NLA debut and scored his first goal against Benjamin Conz of HC Fribourg-Gottéron.

2015: Regular Season

Auston Matthews finished the 2015-16 regular season as the second top-scorer on the Lions and tenth in the NLA. His 1.28 points-per-game average was second in the league behind only longtime NHL player Pierre-Marc Bouchard. He also won the NLA Rising Star Award and was second to Bouchard in voting for most valuable player.

2015: World U18 Championships

In 2015, Auston Matthews was named the most valuable player at the World U18 Championships, was named to the IIHF All-Star Team, and named the IIHF Best Forward.

February 3, 2016: Swiss Cup Win

On February 3, 2016, Auston Matthews recorded two assists in a 4–1 win over the Lausanne HC in the 2015–16 Swiss Cup final.

June 2016: Drafted First Overall

In late June 2016, Auston Matthews was selected first overall in the 2016 NHL entry draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs.

August 2016: Moves to Toronto and Works Out with Teammates

In late August 2016, Auston Matthews moved to Toronto and began working out with teammates Mitch Marner and Morgan Rielly.

October 12, 2016: NHL Debut

On October 12, 2016, Auston Matthews made his NHL debut for the Maple Leafs against the Ottawa Senators and scored four goals, becoming the first player in modern NHL history to achieve this feat.

2016: Four Goals in NHL Debut

In 2016, Auston Matthews became the first player in modern NHL history to score four goals in his NHL debut.

2016: Drafted into the NHL

In 2016, Auston Matthews was drafted into the NHL after playing for the ZSC Lions and won a Swiss Cup title that year. He was considered the top prospect and was selected first overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs.

2016: Eligibility for the NHL entry draft

In 2016, Auston Matthews was eligible for the NHL entry draft, having missed the 2015 NHL entry draft cutoff date of birth by two days.

2016: Interview on Ovechkin's Goal

In a 2016 interview, Auston Matthews referred to Alexander Ovechkin's goal as "probably one of the best goals ever."

January 10, 2017: NHL All-Star Game Selection

On January 10, 2017, Auston Matthews was the only Leafs player selected to participate in the 2017 NHL All-Star Game.

March 28, 2017: Leafs Rookie Record

On March 28, 2017, Auston Matthews scored his 35th goal of the season, surpassing Wendel Clark's previous record for most goals in a season (34) by a Leafs' rookie.

November 28, 2017: End of Shot Streak

On November 28, 2017, Auston Matthews's 103-game streak of consecutive games with a shot on goal to start his career ended in a 4–1 victory over the Calgary Flames.

January 10, 2018: All-Star Selection

On January 10, 2018, Auston Matthews was selected as the sole Maple Leaf to participate in the 2018 NHL All-Star Game.

October 3, 2018: Season Opener Goal and Overtime Winner

On October 3, 2018, in the season opener against the Montreal Canadiens, Auston Matthews scored the team's first goal and the overtime-winning goal, leading to a 3–2 victory.

February 5, 2019: Contract Extension

On February 5, 2019, Auston Matthews signed a new five-year, $58.17 million contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

February 25, 2019: Third Consecutive 30-Goal Season

On February 25, 2019, Auston Matthews scored his 30th goal of the season, marking his third consecutive 30-goal season with the Maple Leafs.

October 3, 2019: Scored in Season Opener

On October 3, 2019, Auston Matthews scored two goals in the season opener against the Ottawa Senators, becoming the fourth player in NHL history to score in each of their first four season openers.

2019: Cover Athlete for NHL 20

At the 2019 NHL Awards, Auston Matthews was named the cover athlete for EA Sports' ice hockey video game NHL 20.

June 19, 2020: Tests Positive for COVID-19

On June 19, 2020, it was reported that Auston Matthews had tested positive for COVID-19 while at home in Scottsdale, Arizona before the start of training camp.

July 13, 2020: Confirms COVID-19 Diagnosis

On July 13, 2020, the first day of training camp, Auston Matthews confirmed with reporters that he had contracted COVID-19, but was "mostly asymptomatic."

2020: Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy

In 2020-21 Auston Matthews won the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy.

August 13, 2021: Wrist Surgery

On August 13, 2021, Auston Matthews underwent wrist surgery after experiencing discomfort in training, and it was announced he would miss six weeks.

2021: Rocket Richard Trophy

In 2021-22, Auston Matthews set records for most goals scored in a single season by both an American-born player and a Maple Leaf, reached the 60-goal mark for the first time, and won the Rocket Richard Trophy for the second consecutive season. He was also awarded the Ted Lindsay Award and the Hart Memorial Trophy.

2021: Won Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy

In the 2020-21 season, Auston Matthews won the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy, which was awarded to the player who scored the most goals in the regular season.

March 14, 2022: Suspension for Crosschecking

On March 14, 2022, Auston Matthews was suspended for two games after crosschecking Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin at the 2022 Heritage Classic the day before.

January 3, 2023: Fastest Leafs Player to 500 Career Points

On January 3, 2023, Auston Matthews became the fastest Toronto Maple Leafs player to register 500 career points in a game against the St. Louis Blues.

August 23, 2023: Signs Four-Year Contract Extension

On August 23, 2023, Auston Matthews signed a four-year contract extension with the Maple Leafs, with an average annual salary of $13.25 million.

February 21, 2024: Reaches 50 Goals

On February 21, 2024, Auston Matthews reached 50 goals in the Maple Leafs' 54th game of the season against the Arizona Coyotes, making him the fastest American player to reach this milestone.

March 30, 2024: Multiple 60-Goal Seasons

On March 30, 2024, Auston Matthews became the ninth player in NHL history to achieve multiple 60-goal seasons, as the Maple Leafs defeated the Buffalo Sabres 3-0.

April 6, 2024: Reaches 100 Points

On April 6, 2024, Auston Matthews recorded his 100th point of the season with his 64th goal against the Montreal Canadiens, marking his second 100-point season.

August 14, 2024: Named Maple Leafs Captain

On August 14, 2024, Auston Matthews was named captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, succeeding John Tavares and becoming the 26th captain in franchise history. He is also the franchise’s first American-born captain.

2024: Single Season Goal Record

In 2024, Auston Matthews set the single-season goal record of the salary cap era with a total of 69 goals, surpassing Alexander Ovechkin's 65 in 2007–08 and winning his third Rocket Richard in four seasons.

January 2025: Named Captain of the United States Team

In January 2025, Auston Matthews was named captain of the United States team for the 4 Nations Face-Off.

April 15, 2025: Scores 400th Career Goal

On April 15, 2025, Auston Matthews scored his 400th career goal in a game against the Buffalo Sabres, becoming the sixth-fastest player to reach the mark.