NHL Rookie Reflects on Auston Matthews’ Kind Gesture Ahead of Sharks vs. Maple Leafs Battle

It’s not every day that a veteran like Auston Matthews comes to your locker room with a gift, that too when you’re from the rival team. Then again, not everyone is NHL rookie Will Smith. Despite his team, the San Jose Sharks, having a rough 2024-25 season, the rookie is on a hot point-scoring streak. However, the 19-year-old didn’t expect Matthews to show up just hours ahead of their face-off.

What surprised Smith even more was when the Maple Leafs captain handed him his stick. Having met Matthews just once before, the rising Sharks star spilled the beans on his reaction after the 27-year-old handed him his stick. “Obviously, grew up watching him bit…” Smith confessed to TSN. “It was nice,” added the young rookie, but that wasn’t all he had to say about the stick.

“It’s pretty cool. Haven’t taken too deep of a dive, but I will later,” said Will Smith. The NHL star also disclosed the first thing he noticed about Auston Matthews’ stick was that it was all black, with ‘Papi 34’ on the nameplate. Smith’s conversation with the reporter also revealed him to be a collector at 19. “Yeah. I mean, I’m into sticks a lot,” the youngster revealed.

The young prospect even confessed to asking players he admires for their sticks. Thankfully, he didn’t have to do that with Matthews. Yet, Smith burst out laughing when asked about asking Alexander Ovechkin for a stick. “I don’t know about that one, we’ll see,” said the rookie about getting his hands on the sticks of the man just 11 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s goal scoring record.

Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs Captain didn’t explain why he chose to give his stick to the Sharks prospect before the game. We may have to chalk it up to Auston Matthews doing it out of admiration of Smith’s talent. However, the 27-year-old isn’t the only Maple Leafs member Smith mentioned while discussing Matthews’ wholesome gesture.

Auston Matthews’ teammates inspire Smith

Since the Maple Leafs captain gifted Smith his stick before the game, the reports couldn’t help but ask the rookie about how he felt about facing the Maple Leafs. That’s when he brought out William Nylander and Mitch Marner. While Will Smith admitted it would be “cool” to face Matthews and the Maple Leafs on the ice, he confessed to admiring Marner and Nylander’s skills.

“I really like Nylander’s game and Marner. Thye’re both rights too,” Smith said about getting inspired by the two Maple Leafs forwards. And why would he? Nylander and Marner have played a big role in the Maple Leafs climbing to the top of the Atlantic Division. In fact, Mitch Marmer helped Auston Matthews reach the 700-points milestone ahead of facing the Sharks.

Marner’s assist in Matthew’s goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Maple Leafs’ 6-5 OT victory, helped him surpass George Armstrong. Mitch Marner notched his 502nd career assist, giving the forward his 714th NHL career point, pushing him beyond Armstrong’s record. Meanwhile, William Nylander once again proved his consistency against the Sharks tonight.

Nylander scored a point and an assist despite losing to the Sharks in the 3-2 shootout, as the Sharks finally ended their 8-game losing streak. Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner also joined the fun, each notching an assist to their name. So it’s not surprising to see why Will Smith holds such admiration for the Leafs’ players.