For those who may not know, Auston Matthews, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ star center, is Mexican American. Born in San Ramon, California, he moved with his family to Scottsdale, Arizona, as a baby. Now 27, Matthews is leading the Leafs after taking over the captaincy from John Tavares. This season, he has been in top form, recording 45 points (20 goals, 25 assists) in 40 games.

Who are Matthews’ parents?

Matthews’ parents, Brian and Ema Matthews, come from different backgrounds. Their love story began in the skies—literally. Ema, originally from Hermosillo, Mexico, was working as a flight attendant when she met Brian, an airline employee in Los Angeles.

At the time, Brian didn’t speak Spanish, but he quickly learned to communicate with Ema. The two eventually settled in San Francisco, where Auston was born before relocating to Arizona. Auston also has two younger sisters, Alexandria and Breyana, who have been supportive throughout his career.

Auston Matthews’ mixed heritage and nationality

Auston’s Mexican American identity stems from his mixed lineage. His father, Brian, is from California, while his mother, Ema, immigrated from Mexico. His success is not just the result of his talent but also the unwavering support of his parents, who played an instrumental role in his hockey journey.

The role of parental support in Auston Matthews’ Hockey journey

Matthews’ parents were instrumental in shaping his hockey career. From a young age, they encouraged him to pursue his passion for the sport. A key figure in his development was Boris Dorozhenko, a Ukrainian power skating coach who had previously worked in Mexico.

Brian met Dorozhenko at a youth hockey camp in Arizona, bonding over their shared ability to speak Spanish. Seeing Auston’s potential, Dorozhenko temporarily moved in with Brian’s parents and trained Auston using unconventional skating drills. Though his methods seemed unusual to many, they helped shape Matthews into the elite skater he is today.

Reflecting on his parents’ influence, Matthews once shared:

“I think both my mom and dad just preached, ‘Be yourself every day. Be humble, but obviously have fun with what you do.’ They always told me that and told me the same thing today, ‘You know, if you wanted to quit hockey today and be a chess player…’ I was like, all right, relax. I probably wouldn’t do that. But if you want to quit hockey and do something else, we’d support you.” 

Speaking about his parents’ support, Matthews added, “My mom was just kind of there supporting me. Thank you. My dad was kind of the one that pushed me, I think, in the right ways. I think he’d tell you, we had ups and downs obviously, a feeling-out process. I think the way that they supported me, even from a young age and kind of the way they handled the way I played and handled, bad games, good games, I think, we all learn from it, but in the end, I thought they did a pretty good job.”

Auston’s journey to NHL stardom is anything but typical—his story is one of hard work, dedication, and family support. As he continues to deliver spotlight-worthy performances, his rich heritage is also gaining recognition, further solidifying his prominence in the sport.

Auston Matthews on embracing his Latin heritage

Matthews’ Mexican roots gained wider recognition in 2019 when the NHL launched its Spanish-language website, marking an important moment for Hispanic representation in hockey. That same year, the league celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month, further highlighting the significance of Matthews’ background.

As his career grew, Matthews visited Mexico to reconnect with his maternal relatives. Speaking about these experiences, he shared:

“Going back and playing in Phoenix and seeing all my family from my mother’s side coming up from Mexico and from different parts of that Southwest area that they all live in, it’s always nice seeing them.”

While hockey remains less prominent in Mexico, Matthews hopes that changes in the future. He has even voiced his desire for NHL preseason games in his homeland, saying, “I think it’d be amazing to see a pre-season game in Mexico.”

With the unwavering support of his parents, Auston Matthews has reached the pinnacle of professional hockey. Their guidance and encouragement, from his early training to his NHL career, have been instrumental in his success. Brian and Ema Matthews’ influence remains a key part of his journey.