In more ways than one, Auston Matthews is the new kid on the block.

As expected, all eyes will be on him with the Toronto Maple Leafs come October, but before he steps into the real pressure-cooker, the 2016 first-overall pick will suit up for Team North America at the World Cup of Hockey, where he's the only one on the under-23 roster without a single game played in the NHL.

If Matthews finds himself in need of some advice, he won't have to look too far, as he'll share a dressing room with several teammates that were recently in his shoes.

Aside from Matthews there are four former first-overall picks on North America's roster, including 2013 selection Nathan MacKinnon, who predicts a lot of attention for the Maple Leafs' future star.

"A lot of hype. A lot of expectations A lot of noise. He’s a hot topic," MacKinnon told Mark Spector of Sportsnet. "Going first to Toronto? Yeah, he’s going to be a focal point."

Last season, Connor McDavid was in Matthews' shoes, and the Edmonton Oilers' wonderkid wants his temporary teammate to embrace the experience.

"It’s going to be busy, it’s going to be hectic, and he’s going to love it," McDavid said. "Toronto is going to be a great place for him to play. Part of that is because of the media attention and the fans that they have. Just enjoy it.

"He’ll find a couple of guys that he likes hanging around with. It’s always good to have someone to talk to."

As for Matthews himself, he's ready to absorb all he can while playing with the best of the best.

"It’s a little nerve wracking, in a sense that you’ve never played at the NHL level, nevertheless the top of the top," Matthews said. "For me I just want to learn as much as possible, and just have fun with it. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, this tournament."

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