Auston Matthews, the talk of the 2016 NHL draft class, ended months of speculation when he officially announced he'd play this coming season for the Zurich Lions of the Swiss National League A.

"I'm really excited. I'm really fortunate for the opportunity to go over there and play for the Zurich Lions," he said. "Playing for an NHL coach and playing against older competition, they're going to push me to raise my level each game."

The 17-year-old from Scottsdale, Arizona, spent the past two seasons with USA Hockey's National Team Development Program.