Is Auston Matthews the Most Unlikely 70-goal Scorer Ever?

Although it hasn’t happened yet, there’s a good chance Auston Matthews will hit the 70-goal milestone in one of his next two games. He’s grown into one of the NHL’s premier talents, but he didn’t follow the typical path to hockey greatness.

Born and raised in Scottsdale, Arizona, where ice and snow are rare, Matthews discovered his love for the game at a small, unconventional facility known as Ozzie Ice. This unassuming arena, built by oil pipeline entrepreneur Dwayne Osadchuk, featured miniature synthetic ice rinks that challenged young players like Matthews to excel in tight spaces.

What Was Ozzie Ice Like as an Arena?

Ozzie Ice was far from the expansive, regulation-sized rinks where Canadian youngsters typically hone their skills. Instead, the facility’s compact layout forced players to interact constantly and make quick decisions. In shades of today’s NHL overtime sessions, every game was a 3-on-3 affair. That seemed to work for Matthews because it gave him ample opportunities to develop his stickhandling, vision, and scoring prowess.

Despite the limitations of the environment, Matthews thrived. His remarkable abilities often allowed him to dominate games against older opponents.

Former NHL Player Sean Whyte Remembers Matthews as a Kid

Sean Whyte, a former NHL player and manager of Ozzie Ice, recalled Matthews’ insatiable passion for the game. As a regular fixture at the facility, Matthews eagerly awaited joining pickup games. In those games, he often played against much older competition. Whyte remembered Matthews as a relentless competitor, capable of scoring multiple goals per game, even at a young age.