Fastest Players to 300 Goals NHL, Auston Matthews becomes Fastest Player to Score 300 Goals
by Rubaditsha
Updated Oct 19, 2023
Fastest Players to 300 Goals NHL
In the Toronto Maple Leafs season opener, Auston Matthews not only introduced a new goal song but also reached a major milestone by becoming the fastest player in the franchise's history to score 300 goals. This remarkable achievement puts him in an elite group of just five players in Maple Leafs history to reach this impressive milestone, following legends like Ron Ellis, Dave Keon, Darryl Sittler, and Mats Sundin.
Auston Matthews' accomplishment extends beyond the franchise, making him the 10th fastest player in NHL history to reach 300 goals. This showcases his exceptional scoring ability and places him among the league's greats. His second-period power-play goal not only marked this milestone but also played a pivotal role in the game by leveling the score at 2-2, ultimately leading to a 3-2 Maple Leafs' lead.
Matthews' subsequent two goals in the third period completed a thrilling hat trick, solidifying his status as a scoring sensation and setting the stage for an exciting season ahead for both him and the Maple Leafs.
Who is Auston Matthews?
Auston Taylour Matthews, is an American professional ice hockey center and alternate captain for the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs. Originally from San Ramon, California, he moved to Scottsdale, Arizona as an infant. Matthews developed a keen interest in hockey after watching the local Phoenix Coyotes play, and his journey to professional hockey began through the USA Hockey National Team Development Program in the USHL.
Before being drafted in 2016, he played for the ZSC Lions in the Swiss National League, winning a Swiss Cup title in the same year. Matthews made NHL history with four goals in his debut and later earned numerous accolades, including the Calder Memorial Trophy, Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy, and two Hart Trophies. He's also represented the United States in international competitions.
Name
Auston Matthews
Born
September 17, 1997 (age 26)
Place of Birth
San Ramon, California, U.S.
Height
6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight
205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb)
Position
Center
Shoots
Left
NHL Team
Toronto Maple Leafs
Former Teams
ZSC Lions
National Team
United States
Auston Matthews Career
In the 2022-23 season, Auston Matthews achieved a significant milestone by becoming the fastest player in the Toronto Maple Leafs' history to reach 500 career points on January 3, 2023, despite a somewhat slower scoring pace in the first half of the season.
He faced setbacks, including a knee injury that sidelined him for three weeks in January and February, while also revealing that he had been coping with complications from a hand injury throughout the season. However, upon returning from injury, his performance notably improved. He even tied a franchise record by recording 15 shots on goal in a game against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Maple Leafs had a solid regular season, finishing fourth in the league and second in the Atlantic Division.
The team entered the playoffs with high expectations but a history of first-round disappointments. Matthews played a pivotal role in their success, scoring five goals and four assists in a six-game series victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning, marking the Leafs' first second-round appearance since 2004. This achievement held significant implications for the franchise and Matthews' future in Toronto.
In the subsequent series against the Florida Panthers, Matthews and the Leafs faced challenges and were eliminated in five games, with Matthews contributing only two assists. In the 2023-24 season, Matthews signed a notable 4-year contract extension on August 23, 2023, with an average annual value of $13.25 million.
Auston Matthews Personal Life
Auston Matthews hails from a family of athletes, with his father having played college baseball, and his uncle, Wes Matthews, briefly participating in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins. His father serves as the chief technology officer of a manufacturing firm in New Jersey. Matthews has two sisters, Alexandria and Breyana. Thanks to his mother's Mexican heritage, he can converse in some Spanish.
Off the ice, Matthews pursued online courses at the University of Nebraska Omaha. In 2016, he relocated to Toronto and started training with teammates Mitch Marner and Morgan Rielly. He idolized Kobe Bryant, with a fondness for the sports movie "The Mighty Ducks," and admired players like Jonathan Toews and Anže Kopitar for their well-rounded offensive and defensive skills, which he emulates.
Matthews made headlines for his four-goal NHL debut, even inspiring a rap song titled "Auston Matthews." He graced the cover of EA Sports' NHL 20. In September 2019, he faced disorderly conduct charges in Arizona for an incident involving a female security guard.
Matthews later expressed regret for not immediately informing the Maple Leafs management. Although the charges were dismissed in November, it sparked speculation about his captaincy. In June 2020, it was revealed that Matthews had contracted COVID-19 before the NHL training camp but was mostly asymptomatic.
Auston Matthews Stats
Season
Team
League
GP
G
A
Pts
PIM
GP
G
A
Pts
PIM
2013–14
U.S. National Development Team
USHL
20
10
10
20
4
—
—
—
—
—
2014–15
U.S. National Development Team
USHL
24
20
28
48
10
—
—
—
—
—
2015–16
ZSC Lions
NLA
36
24
22
46
6
4
0
3
3
2
2016–17
Toronto Maple Leafs
NHL
82
40
29
69
14
6
4
1
5
0
2017–18
Toronto Maple Leafs
NHL
62
34
29
63
12
7
1
1
2
0
2018–19
Toronto Maple Leafs
NHL
68
37
36
73
12
7
5
1
6
2
2019–20
Toronto Maple Leafs
NHL
70
47
33
80
8
5
2
4
6
0
2020–21
Toronto Maple Leafs
NHL
52
41
25
66
10
7
1
4
5
0
2021–22
Toronto Maple Leafs
NHL
73
60
46
106
18
7
4
5
9
0
2022–23
Toronto Maple Leafs
NHL
74
40
45
85
20
11
5
6
11
7
NHL totals
481
299
243
542
94
50
22
22
44
9
Auston Matthews Age
As of 2023, He is 26 years old. Auston Taylour Matthews was born in San Ramon, California, to parents Brian, a California native, and Ema, originally from Hermosillo, Mexico. The Matthews family relocated to Scottsdale, Arizona, when Auston was just two months old.
At the tender age of two, he already showed an interest in hockey, attending Phoenix Coyotes games. His early hockey idols included Shane Doan and Daniel Brière. Interestingly, his fascination with the Zamboni ice-cleaning machine during intermissions initially sparked his passion for the sport.
He expressed a desire to play hockey shortly after his fifth birthday, leading to his involvement in the Arizona Bobcats minor hockey program. Notably, at the age of eight, he attended a game where he witnessed Alexander Ovechkin's iconic goal, which left a lasting impression on him. In 2016, Matthews regarded it as one of the best goals in hockey history.
NHL Fastest to 300 Goals
Auston Matthews made NHL history in the Toronto Maple Leafs' season opener by becoming the fastest player in franchise history to reach 300 goals. This accomplishment not only cements his status as one of the league's premier goal-scorers but also places him among the elite in NHL history. Matthews is now the 10th fastest player to hit the 300-goal mark in the entire NHL.
In the context of the Maple Leafs, he joins an exclusive group of just five players, which includes Ron Ellis, Dave Keon, Darryl Sittler, and Mats Sundin. His second-period power-play goal in the game not only marked this milestone but also had a pivotal impact, evening the score at 2-2 and setting the stage for the Maple Leafs' eventual 3-2 lead.
Matthews' two additional goals in the third period secured a thrilling hat trick and underscored his reputation as a top-tier scorer, promising an exciting season for both him and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Fastest Players to 300 Goals NHL - FAQs
Auston Matthews was born in San Ramon, California.
His father, Brian, is from California, and his mother, Ema, is originally from Hermosillo, Mexico.
Matthews and his family relocated to Scottsdale, Arizona, when he was just two months old.
He began attending Phoenix Coyotes games at the age of two and showed a budding interest in the sport.
His passion for hockey was kindled by the Zamboni machine, which he found captivating during intermissions.