This is also very true, as you said before how much natural ice is there in Arizona? But can't you see that having an example of someone, who not only played a game not culturally significant, but excelled at it, would be an inspiration?
Had no clue he was half Spanish.
He's half Mexican not half Spanish.
His mother is mostly Southern European, thus Spanish. Mexican is a nationality, not a race.
So the first person was right. He is half Spanish.
I thought his mother was a Mexican flight attendant ... who married a Californian?
What do you mean if her mother is mostly Southern European? Is she Iberian? If her mother was a Mexican citizen ... she is Mexican. Thus, making Austin Matthews half Mexican.
Do you call Messi Italian because his ancestors are from Italy? No ... you call him Argentinian.
How many people even know he is Latino? Serious question
What about Martinez?
Hockey overall, is still quite conservative.
If you are only going by geography. It doesn't provide much context though, for example, to say someone is American.
I think AM Mexican heritage will become increasingly highlighted as time goes on, more so in the States. Race seems to be more talked about there. But I think this early in his career, a lot of people aren't even aware of it because he has a very anglo saxon name.
Yes, we all know that NHL's marketing team is one of the worst of any professional sports. But we do also know that hockey has been one of the highest growing sports in the United States, especially in youth groups. With that said, one of the ethnic groups that the NHL has not even touched or started for that matter, is the Latinos. I'm not saying that Mexicans or other South American countries will stop following futball and baseball to watch hockey over night, not at all. Its just that the NHL has a chance to broadcast to a new market, especially in the southern parts of the United States that Auston Matthews is actually 50% Mexican.
A reason why is because everyone needs a role model to be a influential factor. A factor to start a new craze even if it is an entertainment aspect, an educational one, or a sporting activity. His Latino background tends more to be an afterthought while segments tend to talk more about how he started hockey in Arizona and how he left for Zurich. Only Bob McKenzie seems to realize how big of an impact this could potentially being stating it as a "fairy-tale" on more than on occasion. Seems like the NHL is currently making a big mistake not tapping into a brand new area to increase it's fanbase IMO.