Auston Matthews returns home to face Coyotes in historic NHL matchup

Auston Matthews returned to his home state for the first time as an NHL player on 17 Mar 2017, facing the Arizona Coyotes in a game that pitted the past and future of hockey in the desert against each other. The Toronto Maple Leafs rookie, who grew up watching the Coyotes, shared the ice with franchise icon Shane Doan as the veteran played his 1,500th career game and scored his 400th goal.

Matthews, the first Arizonan drafted in the NHL, made his debut in the desert just months after being selected first overall by the Maple Leafs in 2016. The 19-year-old phenom had already made history by scoring four goals in his NHL debut, and he entered the game tied for sixth in the league with 16 goals and nine assists.

Doan, the Coyotes' longtime captain, reached two major milestones in the same game. He became the 17th player in NHL history to play 1,500 games and scored his 400th career goal. The Coyotes honored Doan with cowboy hats during warmups, a nod to his love of ranching.

Matthews grew up in Arizona, attending his first Coyotes game at age 3 and playing for local youth teams like the Jr. Coyotes and Arizona Bobcats. His success has helped grow hockey in the state, with USA Hockey reporting an all-time high of over 7,600 registered players in 2015-16.

The game was a full-circle moment for Matthews, who had watched Doan lead the Coyotes through playoff runs and tough seasons. Now, as the face of the next generation, Matthews was playing against his childhood hero.

The game ended with the Coyotes winning in a shootout, but the focus was on the connection between Doan and Matthews. The rookie has continued to impress in his first NHL season, showing the maturity and skill that have made him a fan favorite.

As Matthews builds his career, he carries the torch for hockey in Arizona. His success, along with Doan's legacy, has helped create a strong foundation for the sport in the desert. The future looks bright for both the Maple Leafs' star and the growing hockey community in his home state.