Matthews reflects on Maple Leafs career in latest episode of The Leaf: Blueprint

It’s been eight years since the Toronto Maple Leafs selected Auston Matthews with the first-overall pick of the 2016 NHL Draft.

In the 541 games since, the American standout has collected a Hart Trophy, a Ted Lindsay Award, two Rocket Richard trophies, and a Calder Trophy. He’s topped 40 goals six times, 50 goals twice, and reached the rare 60-goal plateau once. This season, he’s on the hunt for more history still, aiming to be the league’s first 70-goal scorer in three decades, having already amassed 53 goals through 60 games.

But even after ascending to become one of the premier talents in the sport, Matthews hasn’t forgotten what it felt like to step onto NHL ice, in that Maple Leafs sweater, for the very first time.

In the latest episode of the team’s web series, The Leaf: Blueprint presented by Rogers, No. 34 reflected on his journey in Toronto so far, and what wearing that Maple Leaf on his chest means to him.

“Honour, pride, courage — those three words just speak to what it means to be a Maple Leaf,” Matthews said. “To wear the crest, and to be a part of a team with such rich history, an Original Six franchise, a city and organization and fanbase that just loves hockey, that loves their team and wants to see them succeed — it’s always an honour to put on the jersey.

“It’s something I’ve never taken for granted, just because it’s extremely special. The feeling I got when I first put it on, and when I put it on now, it’s still the same.”

In August, Matthews put pen to paper on a four-year extension with the Maple Leafs, keeping the game’s most dominant goal-scorer in Toronto until 2028, at least. The pact will make Matthews the highest-paid player in the league, paying him $13.25 million per year when it begins next season.

Reliving the joyful chaos that was All-Star Weekend in Toronto, and the annual outdoor practice at Nathan Phillips Square — which included a trip down to the rink on the TTC, embedded among the Maple Leafs faithful — Matthews shed light on one of the reasons he chose to stick with the Leafs: the city’s limitless dedication to its hockey club.

“The crowd was great,” Matthews said of all who came out for the team’s outdoor practice. “I mean, it’s always great — you see the passion within the city, the fanbase, all the people just coming out, having fun. It doesn’t matter if it’s rainy, cold, snowing — it doesn’t matter, everyone’s out there having a good time, cheering on the guys.”

For those around the team, who see Matthews interact with those fans on a day-to-day basis, it’s clear how much the people of Toronto mean to the Maple Leafs star.

“He’s a tremendous person,” said Maple Leafs video coordinator and statistical analyst Jordan Bean, of Matthews. “Probably one of the most humble people that I’ve ever met, off the ice. He’s a consummate professional.”