Auston Matthews is taking his talents to Switzerland, an unprecedented move for the projected top pick in the 2016 NHL draft.
Matthews signed a one-year deal with the ZSC Lions in the Swiss National League A, foregoing a junior season with the Everett Silvertips of the Western Hockey League to play professionally as an 18-year-old.
The American centre going overseas in his draft year is more likely an anomaly than a trend setter, but the Zurich-based club will take it.
“He is something special,” general manager Edgar Salis said by phone from Switzerland on Friday. “He has good speed, good skill -- the whole package.