Auston Matthews was almost dumbfounded after receiving his first paycheck (Image Source: IMAGN)

Success has followed Auston Matthews ever since he made his debut in the NHL. Individual accolades have come hand in hand with mega contracts. But like every other superstar in rising, the Toronto Maple Leafs center was also stunned when he received his first payment after signing a contract with the team.

In 2020 in an interview with media company Uninterrupted, Auston Matthews remembered getting paid in professional hockey for the first time. After widespread speculation, he was chosen first in the 2016 MLB Draft. Thus, the center signed a three-year, $11.3 million contract with the Leafs as a rookie.

Matthews spoke about getting paid for the first time in his life. The 27-year-old opened up about being with his mother. Both of them were almost dumbfounded as they laughed their way when a teenager Matthews received his first pay.

“I was sitting with my mom, and I saw my first paycheck come in, and we were both laughing so hard about it, like, ‘This is crazy.’ I don’t even know how much money it was in, but it was more money I’ve ever seen in my bank account. And same with my mom. So it was pretty sweet. We’re just sitting there kind of giggling on each other, like, ‘This is crazy.'”

That was the first of multiple mult-year contracts Matthews signed with the Leafs. In 2019, he signed a five-year, $58.2 million extension with the team. This year, he extended his stay in Toronto by signing a four-year, $54 million contract. It will keep him in the team, till his 30-age season.

Auston Matthews treated his family to dinner after getting his paycheck

The 2016 Draft No.1 pick and his family went for a dinner to celebrate his achievement. Matthews and his mother were joined by his two sisters and his father. He said:

“We went to a nice dinner. My dad was in town. Obviously, my mom was there with me. I had my older sister there with me for a couple months. So I think we just went to a nice dinner. All five of us. My younger sister came up as well around the time of my first game. So it was just cool, man, honestly.”

The Leafs offensive man has multiple records under his belt. Currently, he is on the injury reserve and has missed eight games for Toronto this month. He is expected to pump back some life into the Leafs offense as they take on Tampa Bay after Thanksgiving. But he is out on the rink and getting some much needed practice time.