Matthews has been busy spending time in Vegas, Arizona and a brief stop in Toronto for a wedding.
It's deep into the summer and Toronto Maple Leafs players are busy spending time on their off-season training. But it's not all work and no fun and Auston Matthews has made the time for family and friends.
The NHL All-Star took to Instagram on Friday to share photos of his busy summer.
In June, Matthews spent a few days in Las Vegas where he attended several NHL events including the NHL Awards where he was nominated for the Ted Lindsay Award, handed out annually to the top NHLer for the previous season as voted by the players.
The next day, Matthews was named as one of the first six players to Team USA entry for next season's 4 Nations Face-Off. During his media availability, he was asked about the event that will see the NHL's best players from the USA, Canada Sweden and Finland take part in a mid-season tournament. He was also asked about his thoughts on new head coach Craig Berube and teammate Mitch Marner, who has been eligible to sign a contract extension as recently as July 1.
Among other pics shared in the post was Matthews attending UFC 303, which took place the same weekend at T-Mobile Arena with Utah Hockey Club forward Clayton Keller and former teammate Joe Thornton. Additional photos include Matthews spending time with his family and Matthews training at Mullett Arena with his dog Felix in attendance. Matthews was also in Toronto last weekend for former teammate Michael Bunting's wedding.
Matthews is coming off his best season in the NHL where he became the first player to score 69 goals in a season since Mario Lemieux did it in the 1995-96. Matthews is also the only active player in the NHL to record two seasons of 60 goals or more.
In the 2021-22 NHL season, Matthews scored 60 goals, establishing a franchise record that he since broke this past season. That year, he also picked up his first Lindsay Award and Hart Memorial Trophy, handed out annually to the NHL's most valuable player as voted by members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association.
Much of the Leafs success in 2024-25 will likely hinge on another big season from Toronto's top player.
