Auston Matthews to Play in Europe?
Auston Matthews is the next Connor McDavid; the next Jack Eichel; the next super prospect in the sport of hockey. He’s committed to Boston University and is the projected first overall NHL pick in 2016.
So what’s this about him going to Europe?
Along with Boston University, Matthews also has a chance to play for the Everett Silvertips of the Western Hockey League who own his junior rights. Yet, another options seems to have opened, as the Hockey News reported that Matthews has several offers from the elite league in Switzerland.
Matthews played in the Czech Republic with team USA for a while as the only non professional player. To showcase himself against professional talent overseas might be more beneficial for him than continuing to play at the lower levels in North America.
Projected to be the top prospect for next year’s draft, the Arizona native has burst onto the scene with the USA under-18 team and in this past season led the team with 48 points.
According to CBS Sports, one of Matthews advisors, Pat Brisson said: “currently processing every option between Everett, the NCAA and most recently Europe. It should be resolved in a short matter of time.”
Ironically, Matthews missed the draft cut off age by just two days. It would have been interesting to see how he would have stacked up against McDavid and Eichel, who are getting more hype than nearly any draft prospect before them.
If Matthews were to play in Switzerland it would be nearly unprecedented for a top prospect to do this in their draft year. According to SportsNet, Matthews could make $500k playing in Switzerland and still have the opportunity to play for the United States juniors and world teams.
Bern and Zurich are the two biggest contenders for Matthews services in Switzerland, according to Damien Cox of SportsNet.
Along with Boston University, which Matthews did not commit to yet officially, Denver and Michigan have also been vying for his talents. He will have to chose between those schools, playing in Europe, or playing against the top junior competition in the world in the Canadian Hockey League.
None of these are bad options for hockey’s next super prospect.