We introduced you to Auston Matthews a few days before he made his professional debut in Zurich, and a week before he made his CHL debut. Now, with a few NLA games under his belt and one in the CHL – with the return game against Sparta Prague coming up at home – he shares his experience so far. 

by Derek O'Brien

PRAGUE – Ever since he debuted with ZSC Lions Zurich on 18 September – the day after his 18th birthday – Auston Matthews has been one of the top stories in European hockey. Currently the highest-ranked prospect for the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, Matthews scored a goal in each of his first two Swiss NLA games before playing his first Champions League game on 22 September in Prague – a 3–2 loss to Sparta, where Matthews extended his point streak to three with an assist on his team's first goal. 

Since that game he's continued that pace, with three more points in his next two NLA contests, and after a less than stellar start the Lions fortunes are turning upward as well – after eight games they are now third in the 12-team league with 14 points. They have two more league games before the second leg of their Round of 32 series with Sparta, which they will play on home ice, starting with a one-goal deficit. 

As expected, Matthews was the centre of media attention after the game in Prague, where he talked about the CHL, the Swiss league, his adjustment to living and playing in Europe, and a bit about the future. 

Auston, you've just finished your first game in the Champions Hockey League. Was the experience any different than playing in the Swiss league?

“I don't think the experience was too different. Obviously (Sparta's) a very skilled team with a lot of big players who play physical, and I think they out-worked us. That's an area we have to improve in.”

You were behind 3–0 halfway through the game. What adjustments did you make to get yourselves back into it?

“The coaches just wanted us to regain our focus and do what had to be done to get back into it. We just changed a few things and attacked them harder. It worked a little bit but we just ran out of time.”

It looked like you had good chemistry playing with Chris Baltisberger and Fabrice Herzog – there were a lot of nice passes, a crossbar and the one goal.

“Yeah, I mean everybody on this team's really skilled and creative, so I think playing with anybody . . . it's pretty easy to find them and make plays with them.”

Your line got that first goal, but it was a pretty strange play. How did it happen, exactly?

“Honestly I don't really know (laughing). Baltisberger found Herzog and he made a nice play to the net. The puck was just sitting there and a couple of guys went hard to the net digging for it and Herzog knocked it in.”

Watch the highlights of Matthew's first CHL game HERE. Matthews (#34) assisted on the ZSC Lions' first goal, starting with a backhand pass to Baltisberger from the far boards starting at 2:19. 

You have a point now in every game you've played with Zurich so far (5 NLA and 1 CHL, as of publication). Were you expecting this type of production?

“No. I think I just try to go out and play my game, work hard and create chances for myself and my linemates, and I've just been fortunate that some of them have been going in.”

Has coming over and playing in Europe been a big adjustment for you?

“I don't think it's too different. I think 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.”

How about being able to play without the full facemask for the first time?

“It's a little bit easier to read the play and see things out there, so yeah, it's pretty cool.”

What about off the ice? It must be somewhat of a cultural adjustment for you.

“Sure, I mean obviously it's a different country so there's always some differences, but everybody's been really helpful, helping me adjust, and so far it's gone pretty smoothly.”

There are a few veteran North Americans on the team. Have they helped you?

“Yeah, they've been awesome. Marc-Andre Bergeron, Ryan Keller and Ryan Shannon, those guys have been a big help. Obviously they've played in the NHL and then come over here, so they've all had to make that adjustment, so I've looked up to them a little bit and they've been really helpful.”

What about the rest of the team? Even some of the Swiss players played junior hockey in Canada, so they've taken the opposite route that you've chosen. 

“Yeah, we've got a pretty good mixture of guys on the team who have a lot of experience from different places, and we've also got some young guys with a lot of skill, so it's all about coming together and playing well as a team, and I think we're moving in that direction. Mathias Seger's a great captain, and we've got other leaders on the team too.”

And of course also head coach Marc Crawford, how would you describe your relationship with him?

“It's been really good, he's been really helpful. The coaching staff is making sure I learn everything I can and make me a complete player.”

Was he a factor in bringing you to Zurich?

“Yeah, we spoke last season at the U18s in Switzerland and again in the summer. Obviously he's a really knowledgeable guy – he's won a Stanley Cup and has coached some really special players, so I'm excited to play for him.”

The circumstances under which you came over were a little strange, in that you couldn't play until you turned 18. Was that difficult not being able to play at the start?

“Yeah, it was hard. I mean, you like to have the opportunity to play, and when you can't it's not very fun to just sit there and watch, but that's the way it had to happen. I used the time to prepare myself, so that when I finally was able to play I'd be able to make a big impact.”

And then finally you played that first game against Fribourg-Gotteron. You scored the goal with your family there watching . . .

“That was nice they were there and it was nice to score a goal with them watching – it was nice to contribute to the team. It's just too bad we didn't win, because that's always what you want to do, but all in all it was a fun day and a fun game and hopefully we keep getting better and better.”

Looking ahead to this season now, what goals have you set for yourself?

“I just want to get better every day and help this team win more games.”

The World Junior Championship is in Finland this year. Do you think playing in Europe all season will be an advantage for you in that?

“Oh absolutely. We'll be playing on the European ice this year, so I think it's a big pro for me playing here in Europe against pro teams not only in the league in Switzerland, but also other countries like this here (the CHL).”  

And of course, once the season's over there'll be the NHL draft. Are you thinking at all about how playing in Europe will affect your status as the top prospect?

“That's not really something I focus on. I see this more as an opportunity to improve and get my game to where it should be so that when the time comes I'm ready to play in the NHL.”

Earlier you mentioned some of the challenges playing here against Sparta. Do you think it will be a different type of game when you play them at home on 6 October?

“Yeah, for sure. I think the home crowd will be a pretty good advantage for us – our fans are great – and I think our mindset will be really focused on what we have to do.”