While today is Independence Day in the United States, Arizona native Auston Matthews spoke to a gathering of Toronto media that was just as frenzied as any fireworks display.
The 2016 first-overall selection at the NHL Entry Draft is one of 41 invitees to the Leafs’ development camp, which runs from July 4-9. Matthews was among the first group of skaters that took to the ice Monday morning at MasterCard Centre. The day’s activities included an initial on-ice skating session that lasted about 15 minutes, and also medical evaluations and meetings with nutritionists.
“This is the hockey mecca of the world,” Matthews said.