That Auston Matthews is American is just the tip of the iceberg, though it should be noted.
Patrick Kane (2007) was the last first overall pick from the United States. In between, seven Canadians and a Russian have been the top players on draft day. It's no longer shocking for an American to claim the top honours at the draft, but it remains uncommon.
Even among American selections, he's unique as a product of the desert. Kane's hometown is Buffalo, New York, and he's typical among top American players in that he was born in a northern state. Matthews hales from Scottsdale, Arizona, where even in December, the average low is six degrees north of the freezing mark.
Matthews' Hispanic heritage sets him apart in a league NPR's David Greene described as "by far the whitest" in American sports. His father recalled to the Hockey News' Ryan Kennedy how jibes would fly in both English and Spanish during competitive card games.. For his 18th birthday, his mother cooked a feast of authentic Mexican food for Matthews and the rest of his teammates.
Then there's the matter of those tea ...
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Article written by Jonathan Willis