It looks like the Toronto Maple Leafs are about to add an NHL-ready prospect at the upcoming draft. The Leafs, who own the first overall pick, will likely select American center Auston Matthews.
Matthews spent the entire season playing pro hockey in the Swiss league. The 18-year-old’s solid campaign helped get him onto Team USA’s roster for the World Championships in Russia.
As Matthews showed on Saturday, he’s not just a member of Team USA at this tournament, he’s one of their impact players. He scored not one, but two goals in USA’s 6-3 win over Belarus (he also added an assist).
Here’s Matthews’ first goal:
Here’s his second goal:
Chris Wideman (Senators), Noah Hanifin (Hurricanes), Dylan Larkin (Red Wings) and Miles Wood (Devils) also scored for USA.
The Americans will take on Finland on Monday.