Playing for the ZSC Lions in Switzerland's National League A or the Everett Silvertips in North America's Western Hockey League would be the two destinations left on Matthews' decision board, and: "It's looking at the moment that the scale is leaning towards Europe," as Pat Brisson revealed to the same source.
"First and foremost, the priority is his development," Brisson adds. "As it stands we were hoping to have a decision two weeks ago, but we are still not there 100 percent. And until we are at 100 percent we are not going to finalize it."
Matthews, who is widely projected to become the No.1 pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, comes off a record-setting season with the United States U18-team. By scoring 55 goals and 61 assists for 117 points he broke the record set by Chicago Blackhawks' and ex-EHC Biel forward Patrick Kane (102 points) in the 2005-06 season.
The young American talent recently played the U18 World Championship in Switzerland with the US-team, where he not only won the gold medal, but was also voted the tournament's best forward and MVP, thanks to scoring eight goals and seven assists for 15 points in seven games. (rlu)
WHL (Western Hockey League): one of the three Leagues that constitutes the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada. NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association): College/University Hockey League in the United States of America.
