'Good Way To Enter The League': Auston Matthews, Maple Leafs Teammates Reflect On Historic Four-Goal NHL Debut On 10th Anniversary

It's been exactly 10 years since Auston Matthews made NHL history in just his first game in the NHL. For those around the Toronto Maple Leafs - fans, players, staff, etc. - it's easy to remember the weight of that special moment.

Matthews scored four goals in his NHL debut against the Ottawa Senators on Oct. 12, 2016. That performance was felt all around the league, but especially by those in Toronto.

After the Maple Leafs' practice on Monday in preparation for their game against the Utah Mammoth on Tuesday, Matthews and a couple of his teammates were asked about that day and what they remember.

"It's definitely gone by really quick, but at the same time it feels like it wasn't too long ago," Matthews said after practice. I think you kind of look back, and I'm just fortunate to have the experience, the opportunities, and to be here today and just to continue the journey with a great group of guys. It's been a lot of fun."

Defenseman Morgan Rielly had an assist on one of Matthews' goals from that day a decade ago. What does he remember most about that moment?

"Just being surprised," Rielly said. "You don't expect that out of a young guy like that to come and do that. That's a good way to enter the league."

Maple Leafs head coach Jim Hiller was another person who was there to witness history live, as he was an assistant coach on the bench for Toronto.

"It was a lot of buildup because Mitch (Marner) was in there and (William Nylander) was in there," Hiller recalled. "There was a lot of different young players that were part of the kind of the new core coming up, Auston being obviously the highest profile at that time, being the first overall pick it was just really exciting."

Nylander had a couple of assists to Matthews in that game, and Hiller didn't forget those. All these years later, that duo has spent some time together on the top line this season, combining for three goals in Toronto's last win against the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday.

"I remember his stick lift goal, of course, but I also remember Willy hitting him on the back post," Hiller said. "So you start to see not only Auston do his thing, but you see his teammates around him, Willy and Auston. You see Rielly gave him a good pass, so you started to see just where the whole thing could go."

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