‘Tips Prospect Matthews to Play Professionally in Europe
EVERETT – Everett Silvertips WHL Bantam Draft selection and projected top 2016 NHL Draft pick Auston Matthews will play the 2015-16 season professionally for the Zurich-based ZSC Lions of the Swiss National League A, the team announced Friday. The Silvertips were Matthews’ top option had he elected to continue playing in North America as an amateur during his NHL Draft-eligible season.
“Obviously we’re disappointed, as a player of Auston’s caliber would have been an outstanding addition to our program for the upcoming season,” said Silvertips General Manager Garry Davidson. “Auston and his family have had nothing but positive things to say about our organization and our coaching staff throughout this process, and we’re confident that he would be a Silvertip this year if an unprecedented opportunity to play pro hockey overseas had not presented itself. I’d like to wish him the best of luck going forward in his career.”
Matthews, 17, was selected by Everett in the third round (57th overall) of the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound center spent the past two seasons with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he shattered Patrick Kane’s single-season scoring record with 55 goals and 116 points in 60 games this season. Born on September 17, 1997, he missed the cutoff for this year’s NHL Draft by only two days.
The Scottsdale, Arizona native was the MVP of this year’s Under-18 World Championship as the Americans won the Gold Medal. He was the youngest player on the US roster at this year’s World Junior Championships and became the first player ever to skate for the United States Men’s National Team prior to his draft-eligible season when he appeared in an exhibition game leading up to the 2015 IIHF Men’s World Hockey Championship.
The Holiday Inn Preseason Classic tournament returns to XFINITY Arena during Labor Day weekend, Sep. 4-6, with nine games over three days. The ‘Tips start the regular season in Prince George on Sep. 25 before the 13th season of Silvertips hockey debuts in Everett with opening weekend on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10 and 11.
To keep up with all the latest Silvertips news and information throughout the offseason, visit www.everettsilvertips.com, “like” the Everett Silvertips Hockey Club on Facebook or follow @WHLSilvertips on Twitter. For questions, call the team office at 425-252-5100.
