Who is Vanessa Piunno?: How the Vancouver-based entrepreneur is related to Auston Matthews

Auston Matthews is enjoying one of the biggest years of his career, after coming off a landmark performance at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, where Team USA won its first men's hockey gold since 1980.

He finished the tournament with three goals and four assists, driving the American attack, showcasing his sheer brilliance and talent on the biggest international stage. Following his successful campaign at the Olympics, fans are now getting a glimpse of a new chapter in his personal life. The Toronto Maple Leafs captain’s new relationship with entrepreneur Vanessa Piunno has quietly gone public. Let’s take a closer look at Matthews' relationship rumor with his new partner.

Is Auston Matthews dating entrepreneur Vanessa Piunno following his breakup with Emily Ruttledge?

NHL player Auston Matthews appears to have moved on from his long-time relationship with Emily Ruttledge and is now dating Toronto-based entrepreneur and skincare specialist Vanessa Piunno. The couple made their relationship public in early March when she posted a series of photos on Instagram from the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, showing her celebrating with Matthews after he won gold with Team USA. Speculations suggest that Piunno has been dating Matthews for quite some time, and it is evident from the pictures that she has shared recently on her social media handle.

Her post showed several moments from the Olympic trip that celebrated Matthews’ historic achievement.As per reports, Piunno took to Instagram to share photos from the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milano Cortina. “A month to remember forever,” Piunno captioned a post that included her posing with Matthews after his gold medal win.

This announcement stole the limelight, raising speculation on Matthew's separation from his former long-time girlfriend Emily Ruttledge, who was a licensed therapist.

As per reports, the sportsman and Emily were in a long-distance relationship. Though nothing is known about the couple’s status, since the gold medal win, Ruttledge hasn’t shared anything on social media to congratulate Matthews, raising speculation that their relationship is over. Reports suggest Piunno is based in Toronto and runs her own skincare brand, Piunno Beauty, where she offers one-on-one trainings and courses aimed at making skincare feel “empowering, not intimidating.”Her website Piunno Beauty’s website states that she offers private one-on-one skincare training that is “personal, thoughtful, and rooted in education.” “I believe skin care should feel empowering, not intimidating, and that learning works best when it’s tailored to you,” the website states.