Here’s something interesting.
The Hockey News is reporting that Silvertips prospect Auston Matthews is considering playing next season professionally in Switzerland rather than playing for Everett or an NCAA school.
Matthews, a super-skilled 17-year-old center from Arizona, is currently projected as the first-overall pick in the 2016 NHL draft. His junior rights are held by Everett, and it was believed he was choosing between playing next season for the Tips or an NCAA school.
However, this is an interesting new twist. There’s never been a North American player who played his pre-draft season professionally in Europe. There’s been a few cases of basketball players avoiding the NCAA by playing their post-high school season professionally in Europe, such was the case with Brandon Jennings. But no hockey player has done anything like that, so if Matthews did indeed head overseas he would be a trail blazer.
This could very well be a bigger concern for Everett than the NCAA. Matthews would have to accelerate his schooling to play in the NCAA next season, so that likely would require summer classes. But he wouldn’t need to take any classes to play in Switzerland, and he’d also get paid.
Once again, stay tuned.
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