In this series, we take a look at players from last season's CHL who are already making it big in the world's top league, the NHL.

Auston Matthews's European adventure started when, in August 2015, it was confirmed he would be joining the ZSC Lions of Switzerland - becoming the first known North American prospect to spend his draft year as a pro in Europe.

Because of his age however, Matthews was not allowed to play for the Lions until his 18 birthday on 17 September - meaning he had to sit out the entire Champions Hockey League group stage. Having made his Lions' debut a day later as ZSC hosted Fribourg in the NLA, scoring in that game at the Hallenstadion.

Having watched his side qualify through the CHL group stages and into the Round of 32, Matthews' was finally able to made his continental debut as ZSC travelled to Sparta Prague. Getting a point in the game as his line scored the Lions' first goal in a 3-2 defeat, Matthews told us after the game: " Over here there's a lot of skill and a lot of the teams like to play that kind of game, moving laterally and making plays. They're really dangerous in the attacking zone, so you just have to be really aware of that and be responsible in your own zone."

As 2015 approached its end, Matthews then hit 11 points as Team USA won Bronze at 2015 U20 World Junior Champions in Helsinki - scoring the most goals in the tournament (7) and being named to the championship's MVP Team. If that wasn't enough, he would go on to win the NLA regular season with ZSC, before the side fell out of the playoffs early.

And then it started - drafted #1 overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, an impressive World Cup of Hockey performance, and then the infamous NHL debut for the Toronto Maple Leafs with four goals on the night. Auston Matthews was one prospect in last year's CHL that most certainly has hit the round running in the NHL.