Report: 'Almost 100 percent' chance Auston Matthews spends draft year in Europe

Auston Matthews appears set to become a true pioneer.

The 17-year-old highly touted prospect seems destined to spend his draft year playing in Europe, according to Damien Cox of Sportsnet.

"Almost 100 percent Auston Matthews is headed to Europe, not WHL or NCAA," Cox reported Thursday.

And while it was believed Matthews was zeroing in on the Swiss League, teams from Sweden and Finland have reportedly entered the mix in an attempt to secure his services.

Matthews, a native of Scottsdale, Ariz., spent this past season playing for the United States Development Program, scoring 55 goals and adding 61 assists in 60 games.

Wherever he chooses to play this season, the club will certainly benefit from Matthews' attempts to impress NHL scouts ahead of the 2016 Draft, in which he's expected to be the top pick.

Should he choose to go the European route, Matthews would be the first North American prospect to do so in his draft year.