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Matthews retains top international skater ranking
- Updated: June 1, 2016
Auston Matthews, the American-born center who took the unique route of playing in Switzerland during his draft season, is No. 1 on NHL Central Scouting’s final ranking of international skaters for the 2016 NHL Draft.
Matthews, a 6-foot-1, 210-pound native of Scottsdale, Ariz., had 24 goals and 46 points in 36 games for Zurich in National League A, Switzerland’s top professional league. He played against older, more experienced competition, some of whom had played in the NHL, and succeeded. Matthews was second in voting for league MVP.
“The expectations were that he would be able to play [in Switzerland] but I don’t think the expectations were that he’d be able to impact the way he did,” said Dan Marr, Director of NHL Central Scouting. “I think anyone who has followed his career was pleasantly surprised how he was able to go over there and handle himself and contribute the way he did.”
Matthews also helped the United States win the bronze medal at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship, tying for the tournament lead with seven goals in seven games. He also tied for the U.S. lead with 11 points and was named to the tournament all-star team.
His goal total was one short of Jeremy Roenick’s U.S. record set at the 1989 WJC.
“During the season [Matthews] improved most in plays without the puck, and his shooting is already high end,” said Thomas Roost, who evaluates talent in Switzerland and Germany for NHL Central Scouting. “He is very strong on the puck and can shed off attacking defensemen, sometimes with ease. He comes out of the corners with the puck, creates options and is a good playmaker.”
Matthews also intensified his physical game during the NLA playoffs, …
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