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# Auston Matthews named Swiss NLA Rookie of the Year
- URL: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/auston-matthews-named-swiss-nla-rookie-of-the-year/
- Published: 2016-08-05T18:18:23.000Z
- Updated: 2016-08-05T18:18:23.000Z
- Description: One down, one to go?
- Author: Ari Yanover
- Tags: #chorus, #Import 2023-04-05 10:50

The thing about rookie of the year awards is they're one-shot deals. You really only get one chance at being a rookie - and while there may be good crops all around, only one of them will be recognized as having the best inaugural year of his class.

So it's a tight, one-off battle. And Auston Matthews will likely be in the conversation for the NHL's Calder Trophy throughout the 2016-17 season; that's just a thing first overall picks do. (Unless they're drafted by the [Edmonton Oilers](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/edmonton-oilers?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com), that is.)

In preparation for his Calder bid, Matthews has already won a Rookie of the Year title.

> Der Youngster of the Year Award geht an Auston Matthews [#SIHAwards](https://twitter.com/hashtag/SIHAwards?src=hash&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [pic.twitter.com/lJjwVj1WV2](https://t.co/lJjwVj1WV2?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — Swiss Ice Hockey (@SwissIceHockey) [August 5, 2016](https://twitter.com/SwissIceHockey/status/761629380435185664?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) 

"Youngster of the Year." I love this. Petition to change "rookie" to "youngster" in North American sports nomenclature.

Matthews raised some eyebrows by opting to play in the National League A - the top-tier league in Switzerland - for his draft year, rather than the typical route of the CHL (or even NCAA). It's paid off, though: he was the first overall pick in the 2016 [NHL Draft](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl-draft?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com), and he was named the top rookie in a professional league.

Matthews scored 24 goals and 46 points through 36 games in his season for Zurich. A preview of what's to come, perhaps?