COYOTES

Scottsdale's Auston Matthews takes unconventional path to prepare for NHL

Sarah McLellan
azcentral sports
Auston Matthews bypassed the more conventional junior leagues and college options for draft-bound teenagers and instead chose earlier this month to sign with Zurich in the Swiss National League A.

Earlier this summer when the Ice Den in Scottsdale was packed with Coyotes prospects and fans for the team's annual development camp, one of the game's more promising youngsters weaved through the crowd mostly anonymously.

But on the brink of his final season before becoming NHL draft eligible, Scottsdale native Auston Matthews probably won't blend in for much longer – especially since he's opted to take a non-traditional route in his preparation.

Matthews bypassed the more conventional junior leagues and college options for draft-bound teenagers and instead chose earlier this month to sign with Zurich in the Swiss National League A.

"I think I just made a decision that best suits me," Matthews said recently via telephone from Switzerland where he's already practicing with the ZSC Lions after arriving a few weeks ago.

Matthews, projected by many to go first overall in the 2016 draft, had narrowed his choices to Europe and the Western Hockey League with Everett holding his rights after wrapping up a successful two-season stint with the U.S. National Team Development Program. Last season, Matthews produced 117 points – 55 goals – in 60 games.

A center with size, speed and skill, Matthews barely missed the cutoff for being included in this year's draft. Had he turned 18 on or before Sept.15, he would have been mentioned alongside the likes of Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel and could have possibly been snatched up by the Coyotes with the No.3 pick.

Instead, Matthews will turn 18 on Sept.17 and the maturity in his game is clear. Enhancing that further by working alongside players in their 20s and 30s made sense to him. He isn't eligible to participate in games until after he turns 18.

"Playing against older competition is a big 'pro' for me and just having to make quicker plays and go against men basically, I think that's one of the decisions that played into it," he said.

The other was the opportunity to learn from Marc Crawford, who coached in the NHL and won a Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 1996 before eventually taking over the ZSC Lions in 2012.

"He knows what he's doing, and I think he's going to do a great job and help me get to that level," Matthews said.

His situation – namely his talent combined with his birthday – is certainly unique, so it's unlikely Matthews' decision elicits copycats even with the financial perks factored in; Matthews' contract is worth a reported $400,000.

Matthews made sure to do his homework before choosing this option, asking NHLers who played in Switzerland during the lockout for feedback. All of it was positive.

And he isn't adapting to the nine-hour time difference from Arizona alone. Matthews is sharing an apartment in Zurich with his mother and older sister for the duration of the season.

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"It's nice to have them, have a nice home-cooked meal every day," he said.

The spotlight on Matthews isn't likely to shrink now that he's left North America.

He has the potential to be the first American-born player to go first overall since Patrick Kane  was taken first by the Blackhawks in 2007.

The 2016 draft class has some intriguing American talent. Forwards Matthew Tkachuk, Max Jones and Clayton Keller are other U.S.-born players meriting praise.

And while Matthews' decision to go to Switzerland certainly was exercised with an NHL career in mind, he isn't ready to embrace the hype just yet.

"It's really something I can't control what other people say, so it's my job just to keep my world small and just continue to make improvements," he said, "and I think the rest will take care of itself."

Reach The Heat Index at sarah.mclellan@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8276. Follow her at twitter.com/azc_mclellan.

Arizona Coyotes draft history: