Marleau, the Toronto Maple Leafs veteran forward who has become close with Matthews since signing in Toronto in 2017, told his teammate to come spend Christmas with his family instead of being alone.
"I just asked him. He didn't have anybody in town so I didn't want him to be left out," Marleau said. "I'm glad he came over, the boys had a blast, we had a blast, and it was a lot of fun."
Matthews, who was unable to return home to Scottsdale, Arizona and didn't have family coming to town, said he was thrilled to take Marleau up on his offer.
"He heard my family wasn't able to make it up for Christmas and he extended an invitation right away so it was hard not to take him up on it with how close we are and how much fun we have with his boys every time I'm over at his house," Matthews said. "It was definitely a lot of fun for me, and I think the boys had a lot of fun as well."
The 21-year-old Matthews has become a fixture at the Marleau home over the past year and has forged a strong friendship with Patrick, his wife Christina and their four sons Brody, Jagger, Landon and Caleb. He was even invited to appear in the Marleau Christmas picture dressed in a holiday themed Macho Man onesie that he said Christina chose.
"It was a little tradition they do so they gave me the Macho Man onesie," Matthews said. "I'm surprised it fit, but it looked pretty nice in that picture; pretty realistic."
Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock was not surprise by Marleau's hospitality.
"We've got good guys on our team," Babcock said. "It's important that everyone is looked after for Christmas."
Matthews, who has 34 points (19 goals, 15 assists) in 23 games, was announced as the captain of the Atlantic Division team for the 2019 NHL All Star Game in San Jose on Thursday. Perhaps as a 'thank-you' to Marleau, Matthews said that if he could pick a teammate to bring with him to the All Star game, it would be Marleau.
Marleau said he feels like Matthews' generosity could have an ulterior motive.
"He wants to stay at my house (in San Jose)," Marleau said. "I said he could have the keys and go stay there. We'll see how it goes, I don't know if he'd throw a party or not."
