Leafs' Matthews undergoes procedure to remove surgical hardware
Kevin Sousa / National Hockey League / Getty
Toronto Maple Leafs superstar Auston Matthews underwent a procedure Thursday to remove surgical hardware from a 2014 surgery, the team announced. The procedure won't disrupt his summer on-ice program.
Matthews suffered a broken femur from a knee-on-knee collision while playing for the USA Hockey U17 National Team Development Program in September 2013. The injury eventually required surgery.
The 21-year-old center recently declined an invitation to play for the U.S. at the upcoming World Championship.
Matthews tallied 37 goals and 73 points in 68 games in his third NHL season. He added five more goals and an assist in seven postseason contests against the Boston Bruins.