BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Toronto Maple Leafs selected Arizona-born center Auston Matthews with the first pick in the NHL draft Friday night.
The 18-year-old from Scottsdale became the seventh American selected at No. 1, and first since the Chicago Blackhawks chose Patrick Kane with the top pick in 2007. Matthews grew up a Coyotes fan and spent last season playing professionally in Switzerland.
For Toronto, Matthews represents a significant addition in general manager Lou Lamoriello's bid to restore relevance to one of the league's most high-profile franchises. And he arrives at a time when the Maple Leafs usher in the 100th year of professional hockey being played in Canada's largest city.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
NHL Central Scouting ranked Matthews its top draft-eligible prospect, ahead of Finnish-born forwards Patrik Laine and Jesse Puljujarvi.