Sarah McLellan

azcentral sports

The red and white Coyotes sweaters camouflaged their actual rank with NHLers skating alongside high school kids and college athletes last week at the Ice Den in Scottsdale as a tune-up for training camp, but it was still pretty easy to separate the pros from the amateurs.

Whether it was a pass that became tangled in skates or a shot that targeted the goalie's belly, the clues for the up-and-comers were obvious.

Except when it came to Auston Matthews.

Although the cage and USA Hockey sticker on his helmet confirmed he was still a teenager — 16, to be exact — his play suggested he was much older.

Maybe it was the authority with which he carried the puck, no doubt reinforced by his 6-foot frame. Or the quickness with which he moved. Or the shot that had a tendency to settle right under the crossbar.

This package of skills hasn't gone unnoticed, and it wouldn't be unrealistic for Matthews to don an authentic NHL jersey in the future.

Actually, the centerman is generating buzz as the player to watch in the 2016 draft, and what's unique about that is Matthews got his start with the sport in the Valley.

"Some day I want to be that role model for kids from Arizona that you can play hockey and do well at it," he said.

Matthews grew up in Scottsdale and was a regular at Coyotes game as a toddler, taking advantage of his uncle's season tickets. When he was 5, Matthews had his turn to hit the ice and he took the familiar path from squirt to peewee, but with a twist — he was continually playing a year or two older.

From 2010 to 2013, Matthews was with the Arizona Bobcats, a top-tier traveling squad that was based out of the Arcadia and Oceanside rinks. And he flourished.

Former coach Ron Filion called Matthews "the kind of kid who will sell tickets."

"He's got those highlight-reel goals. He's extremely talented skill-wise," Filion said. "He's one of those guys that's a special talent."

Matthews was discovered by a scout during a U-16 tournament and invited to try out for the USA Hockey's National Team Development Program. He made the cut for the U-17 team and relocated to Ann Arbor, Mich., last fall, taking up residence with a billet family.

In Game 2 of his season, Matthews broke his left femur after an open-ice knee-on-knee hit. He was sidelined for three months but seemed to come back better than ever. He finished the season with 12 goals and 33 points in 24 games.

What's more, Matthews was invited to play with the U-18 squad and, at the world championship, he posted five goals — tying for the team lead with Jack Eichel, who's poised to be one of the top draft picks in 2015.

Matthews continued to stand out at the USA Hockey National Junior evaluation camp held earlier this month, assembling a strong case to be included on the country's 2015 World Junior roster.

Making that team is his primary goal, along with improving with his U-18 team, as Matthews downplays his draft potential — even though he's been tabbed as a possible No. 1 overall pick in 2016 by The Hockey News.

Matthews would join a growing list of players to get drafted after spending much of their minor-hockey careers in the Valley — Scottsdale natives Zac Larraza and Henrik Samuelsson are Coyotes prospects — but his inclusion at or near the top of the draft lineup would be a first.

"Obviously, nobody can take the entire credit for an athlete," Filion said, "but just to know you were a little part of his progression, it's very flattering."