Also Sportsnet journalist John Shannon reports on Twitter that Auston Matthews has decided to join the ZSC Lions and will arrive in Zurich on Monday. Shannon also says that an announcement by the player is expected for later today.
Blick already reported Matthew's signing with the Lions back in May but there were legal issues concerning his work visa. The problem is that non-EU players only get a work visa if they had been under contract with a pro-team for at least one year. As the ZSC Lions inform, they have reached an agreement that Matthews is only allowed to play after his 18th birthday which is on September 17. This is all possible thanks to a bilateral treaty between Switzerland and the USA about young professionals.
The young talent is widely projected to become the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. Matthews recently played the U18 World Championship in Switzerland with the US-team. 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. (tme)
Guess who's coming to Zurich? #greatnews @A_Matthews34 pic.twitter.com/xdDwnq3Ii4
— ZSC Lions (@zsclions) August 7, 2015
Hearing that Auston Matthews is going to ZSC Lions in Zurich for the season. He will arrive there next Monday. Announcement later today.
— John Shannon (@JSportsnet) August 7, 2015
