Dozens of U.S.-born NHL players paid tribute to Jim Johannson and raised funds for two of his favorite causes, his 2-year-old daughter and grassroots hockey.
Auston Matthews and Patrick Kane were among the American stars and standouts who gathered for a charity game won by the Blue over the White 14-9 Sunday.
“He was very good to me and my family,” said Matthews, who played for USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program before Toronto drafted him No. 1 overall in 2016. “He gave me an opportunity to play for USA Hockey.”
Auston Matthews is the future face of USA Hockey.
The 20-year-old is already one of the best players in the league and he’s only going to get better, which is great for not only the Leafs, but the country he’ll be representing internationally.
Sunday, the 2018 Stars and Stripes Showdown took place and after the game, Patrick Kane had some high praise for Matthews when asked about him.
Patrick Kane on training with Auston Matthews next week in Tampa (Darryl Belfry camp):
“Sometimes you skate with players that are so far ahead of other players skill-wise it makes you push yourself a little bit more to so I’m excited to be around him”
Kane also said regarding Matthews “he’s one of the guys that’s going to push USA hockey as far as we want to make it go so he’s going to be a leader in that charge”. “I think its definitely respectable for him to wear the C for something like this”.
Patrick Kane on training with Auston Matthews next week in Tampa (Darryl Belfry camp):
"Sometimes you skate with players that are so far ahead of other players skill-wise it makes you push yourself a little bit more to so I'm excited to be around him" https://t.co/2FXoDRofYT
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) August 26, 2018