Latest news with #Auston
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Auston Matthews and his fans got emotional as his mother opened up about the financial struggles of getting him into hockey
Image credit - Paige Taylor White/CP Before Auston Matthews was an NHL superstar, his biggest supporter was clocking into two jobs, trying to make ends meet. His mom, Ema Matthews , didn't just believe in his dream, she bankrolled it, penny by penny, from behind a Starbucks counter. For families without deep pockets, hockey can be financially brutal. But Ema's resilience turned obstacles into opportunity and her son into one of the league's brightest stars. Her story is the heartwarming reminder that every great athlete often has a real-life superhero cheering from the sidelines. Auston Matthews' hockey dream wasn't cheap and his mom took the weight Ice time, gear, coaching, travel, youth hockey isn't just a sport, it's a financial beast. For the Matthews family, especially with Ema being originally from Hermosillo, Mexico, the culture and cost of the sport were both daunting. But she took on the challenge without hesitation, picking up multiple jobs including a gig at Starbucks to ensure Auston never missed a chance to grow on the ice. 'I used to work in the morning for Starbucks, in the afternoon the restaurant, i was very fortunate to have two jobs. And believe me, if they would have more hours, I would have more jobs." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Scarlett Johansson, 40, Shows Off Her Real Size In A New Vacation Photos 33 Bridges Undo Ema shared in a past interview that the cost of hockey often reached up to $20,000 a year, a heavy ask for any middle-class family. To make it work, she didn't just cut corners, she picked up shifts and poured lattes while helping Auston stay focused on the sport. She even deposited small amounts of money in his account so he could grab food with teammates like a regular teen. Ema's story also breaks stereotypes. In a sport dominated by players from Canada and northern U.S. states, Auston's rise as a player of Mexican heritage makes his success even more impactful. It's not just about talent, it's about trailblazing, especially for kids of color or immigrant families who rarely see themselves represented in hockey. Auston Matthews is one of the Toronto Maple Leafs' biggest stars and a face of the NHL. He's not just known for his goal-scoring skills but also for his poise and work ethic, traits his mom likely helped instill. While fans celebrate his success on the ice, stories like Ema's remind us of the sacrifices behind the scenes that made it possible. Ema Matthews' story shows what's possible when love, grit, and hustle lead the way. Also read - 'From baptism to strip club': Pete Blackburn's unhinged NHL comparison is going viral and fans totally get it
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
‘His Overall Game Is As Good As I've Ever Seen It': Maple Leafs' Brad Treliving Praises Auston Matthews' Two-Way Play, Leadership Ahead Of Postseason
With the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs just two days away for the Toronto Maple Leafs, members of the team hit the ice on Friday for an optional skate, gearing up for their first-round series against the Ottawa Senators. Speaking with reporters after the skate, general manager Brad Treliving took a moment to highlight the play of the club's captain, Auston Matthews, whose season, though statistically quieter by his own standards, was as good as he's ever seen it. 'We talk about a down year because he didn't score 69 goals, right?' Treliving said. 'I think he's led our team. We've talked a little bit about the change and tweaks in how we play, I think Auston has been front and center in leading that way. I think he's an elite two-way No. 1 centerman in the league. Just the evolution of Auston, everything gets talked about is goal scoring, and it should. He shoots it in the net as good as anybody, but what he does away from the puck sets the standard for everybody else.' Matthews' season was somewhat of a tale of two halves. He battled through the worst part of a lingering upper-body injury from September through December — a stretch Treliving acknowledged as the toughest of the season. The injury limited the Leafs' captain to just 67 games, missing 15 in total. He did not put up the same numbers goal-wise as his typical 40-plus goal seasons, yet he still managed to total 33 goals, 45 assists, and 78 points. His offensive numbers, while solid, don't tell the full story regarding the impact he had on a nightly basis. 'The way he checks. And so the numbers, I know we can say, okay, his goal-scoring may be down. I think his game, his overall game, is as good as I've ever seen it. Now, I've seen him for two years now, and he's been a top player ever since I got here and long before that. But just the way he sets the standard for how we have to check and play 200 feet of the ice, he's set the standard for us,' Treliving explained. Since mid-March, after the 4 Nations Face-Off, Matthews has looked like a player back in rhythm. He closed the regular season on a tear, registering points in 13 of the final 17 games (10G, 12A). He ended the year riding a three-game goal and point streak, capping off the stretch with four points in his last three outings. 'Hopefully Our Fans Are Ready To Go': Maple Leafs Clinch Home-Ice Advantage In First Round Of NHL Playoffs With Win Against Canadiens Toronto can win the Atlantic division with a win against Carolina and a Lightning loss on Sunday. More importantly, he helped lead Toronto to an Atlantic Division title — just the third since 1967. Tuesday's win over the Buffalo Sabres sealed the top spot in the Atlantic, and in that same game, Matthews hit another personal milestone. The 26-year-old became the sixth-fastest player in NHL history to score 400 goals, reaching the mark in just 628 games. He hit the milestone quicker than Alex Ovechkin (634), trailing only legends like Wayne Gretzky (436), Mike Bossy (506), Mario Lemieux (508), Brett Hull (520), and Jari Kurri (608). Matthews became just the 110th player in NHL history, and the 10th active, to reach 400 goals, joining some elite company. He's also only the second player in Leafs' franchise history to reach the mark, trailing only Mats Sundin's 420 goals. 'That's A Lot Of Goals': Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews Becomes Sixth-Fastest Player In NHL History To Reach 400 Goals On Tuesday in Buffalo, Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews reached a significant milestone. While he's often defined by his goal-scoring prowess, Treliving believes Matthews has taken another step in evolving his overall game during his first year as captain. As the postseason approaches, the Leafs will count on Matthews for the complete game he's worked hard to refine. Due to his adjustments, Toronto just might be more ready for the road ahead than ever before. Stay updated with the most interesting Maple Leafs stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.
