Player Review - Thomas Matthews

[Achilles 91]

Thomas Matthews Player review.

 

 

I was born in Ottawa Ontario in Canada. I am not sure how my parents met, I never asked them, but they met and had me and my older sister. My father and I would stay up late, he would let me, to watch Toronto Legion games. of course my mother would always protest this because I would have school in the morning. This is how my dad and I bonded.

 

We lived in a nice middle class house. I would go to school and then work part time after school helping the hockey arena set up for their games. I played hockey since I Was 6, but nothing really competitive. It was just something for me to do on the weekends. My father bought us season tickets to Toronto Legion games and we would drive 5 hours there. watch a game. stay at a motel. and drive back the next day. It's safe to say I missed some school time during that period of my life.

 

My dad was my hero. He was always there for me. When I was 15 a police officer came to my school and brought me home where the news broke out that my dad had a heart attack at work and passed away. I was crushed. My hero was gone. A part of me wanted to jump in front of a car and end it because the pain from his death was unbearable but I managed to control it with continuing playing hockey. I believe I used all my anger and frustration on the ice which in the end made me a better player.

 

I would eventually get noticed by the Ottawa OHL team and they drafted me in the 4th round. I played left wing my whole life but the team was short on RW and my coach switched my position. In reality, I didn't care. I was still playing hockey. But ever since that change, my game was night and day. I was scoring goals almost every game. at least getting an assist if I didn't. I met my best friend Edward Traverse on this team. We bonded pretty quick and hung out all the time after games. We went deep in the playoffs and lost double over time for game 7 for the cup. we were so close. I believe scouts were at the game because shortly after that I got a contract to play in the VHLM for the Bulls.