COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Forward Auston Matthews (Scottsdale, Ariz.), who spent the 2015-16 campaign as a member of the Zurich Lions in the National League A, Switzerland’s top professional league, has been named to the 2016 U.S. Men’s National Team that will compete at the International Ice Hockey Federation Men’s World Championship May 6-22 in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia.
Matthews is the first player named to the team. Additional players, as well as the coaching and support staff, will be named in the coming weeks.
Last year, Matthews skated in an exhibition game with the U.S. Men’s National Team prior to the 2015 IIHF Men’s World Championship, becoming the first player to play at that level before entering their draft-eligible season.
This will be the fifth time Matthews has represented the United States in IIHF competition. A two-time gold medalist with the U.S. Men’s National Under-18 Teams (2014, 2015), Matthews most recently helped the U.S. capture the bronze medal in the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship in Helsinki, Finland.
In his first professional season in Zurich, Matthews collected 46 points (24-22) in 36 games to earn the league’s Rising Star Award.
Prior to his time in Zurich, Matthews played two seasons at USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program, where he recorded 167 points (79-88) in 104 games.
NOTES: The staff and players of the 2016 U.S. Men’s National Team are selected by the U.S. Men’s National Team Advisory Group, led by Jim Johannson, assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey. Other members include Stan Bowman (Chicago Blackhawks), Dean Lombardi (Los Angeles Kings), David Poile (Nashville Predators), Ray Shero (New Jersey Devils), Dale Tallon (Florida Panthers), and Don Waddell (Carolina Hurricanes) … For more information about the 2016 U.S. Men’s National Team, click here … The 2016 IIHF Men’s World Championship will include teams from 16 nations, split into two groups of eight. Teams will play a round-robin format within their group and the top four teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals. The U.S. will play its seven preliminary round games in St. Petersburg at Yubileiny Arena … USA Hockey’s international council, chaired by Gavin Regan (Potsdam, N.Y.), has oversight responsibilities for all U.S. national teams.
Team USA 2016 IIHF Men’s World Championship Schedule
May 6-22 • St. Petersburg and Moscow, Russia
Date Opponent Venue
Time (Local/EDT)
Fri., May 6 Canada Yubileiny 4:15 p.m./9:15 a.m.
Sat., May 7 Belarus Yubileiny 8:15 p.m./1:15 p.m.
Mon., May 9 Finland Yubileiny 8:15 p.m./1:15 p.m.
Thurs., May 12 France Yubileiny 4:15 p.m./9:15 a.m.
Fri., May 13 Hungary Yubileiny 4:15 p.m./9:15 a.m.
Sun., May 15 Germany Yubileiny 4:15 p.m./9:15 a.m.
Tues., May 17 Slovakia Yubileiny 12:15 p.m./5:15 a.m.
Thurs., May 19 Quarterfinals TBD TBD
Sat., May 21 Semifinals Ice Palace TBD
Sun., May 22 Medal Round Game Ice Palace TBD
*Yubileiny in St. Petersburg, Russia; Ice Palace in Moscow, Russia.
