Report: Auston Matthews sidelined 'weeks' with back injury

Top-rated NHL prospect Auston Matthews has apparently had his impressive and highly unconventional draft season interrupted by injury.

Matthews, in Switzerland competing against professionals and earning a salary during his 18-year-old season, will miss "several weeks" with a back injury, Sportsnet's Damien Cox reported Saturday.

Playing for National League A's ZSC Lions, Matthews seized his team's lead in scoring early on, with 10 goals and 17 points over 14 games prior to injury.

As a result of the injury, according to Cox, Matthews will be unable to represent the United States at the Deutscheland Cup in early November.