Auston Matthews, an A-rated skater on NHL Central Scouting's September players to watch list for the 2016 NHL Draft, has been named a finalist for the Male Olympic Athlete of the Year by USA Hockey.
The United States Olympic Committee made the announcement Thursday. The winner will be announced during the Team USA Awards, which will be held at the University of Pennsylvania's Houston Hall in Philadelphia on Dec. 10.
Matthews, who is playing for Zurich in National League A, Switzerland's top professional league, sustained a back injury Oct. 23. The 18-year-old is expected to return to the lineup Nov. 12 following a short break in league competition. He has 10 goals, 16 points and a plus-2 rating in 14 games for Zurich.
Last season Matthews established two records with USA Hockey's National Team Development Program under-18 team with 55 goals and 117 points, breaking marks of 52 goals and 102 points set by Patrick Kane in 2005-06. He had a tournament-high 15 points and tied for the lead with eight goals to help the United States win the gold medal at the 2015 IIHF World Under-18 Championship. He also was named tournament MVP and Best Forward. Matthews also played for the U.S. at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship. Matthews is expected to be a key piece of the U.S. at the 2016 WJC, which starts Dec. 26 in Helsinki, Finland.
Matthews also was named USA Hockey's Bob Johnson Award recipient after completing his NTDP career with 79 goals and 167 points in 104 games.
NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. NHL, the NHL Shield, the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup, the Stanley Cup Playoffs logo, the Stanley Cup Final logo, Center Ice name and logo, NHL Conference logos, NHL Winter Classic name, and The Biggest Assist Happens Off The Ice are registered trademarks and Vintage Hockey word mark and logo, The Game Lives Where You Do, NHL Winter Classic logo, NHL Heritage Classic name and logo, NHL Stadium Series name and logo, NHL All-Star logo, NHL Face-Off name and logo, NHL. TV, NHL Premium, NHL After Dark, NHL GameCenter, NHL GameCenter LIVE, NHL Network name and logo, NHL Tonight name and logo, On The Fly, NHL Awards name and logo, NHL Draft name and logo, Hockey Fights Cancer, Because It's The Cup, NHL Green name and logo, NHL Vault, Hockey Is For Everyone, NHL Thanksgiving Showdown name and logo, NHL Centennial Classic name and logo, NHL Centennial Season logo, NHL100 Classic name and logo, NHL Global Series name and logo, NHL China Games name and logo, and Don't Miss A Moment are trademarks of the National Hockey League. All NHL logos and marks and NHL team logos and marks depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. © NHL 2018. All Rights Reserved. All NHL team jerseys customized with NHL players' names and numbers are officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA. The Zamboni word mark and configuration of the Zamboni ice resurfacing machine are registered trademarks of Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. © Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. 2018. All Rights Reserved. Any other third party trademarks or copyrights are property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.