On March 28, 2017, Auston Matthews made Maple Leafs history when he scored his 35th goal of the season, breaking Wendel Clark’s long-standing franchise record for most goals by a rookie. The milestone moment symbolized Matthews’ arrival as the new face of Toronto hockey — a snapshot of pure goal-scorer’s instinct and precision that electrified Leafs Nation. Just six days later, on April 3, 2017, Matthews struck again, this time making NHL history. With his 39th goal, he surpassed Neal Broten’s record for the most goals by a United States-born rookie, cementing his place among the League’s elite. Each tally that season wasn’t just another number — it was part of a breakout campaign that redefined what a rookie could do in the blue and white.