Toronto Maple Leafs Announce Auston Matthews as New Captain
On August 14, 2024, the Toronto Maple Leafs officially named Auston Matthews as their new captain during a ceremony where former captain John Tavares passed on the role. Tavares’ young sons, Jace and Axton, attended the event wearing miniature Matthews jerseys with the captain’s “C” embroidered on them, reflecting the smooth transition of leadership.
Matthews, who has spent eight seasons in the NHL and is recognized as a leading player for both the Maple Leafs and USA Hockey, is seen as a deserving choice for the captaincy. His promotion comes as he enters his ninth season and continues to be a prominent figure in the sport.
Despite the natural progression of Matthews taking on the captaincy, Tavares, who is 33, has managed this change with notable grace. Teammate Morgan Rielly praised Tavares for his character and focus on the team’s success over personal accolades.
General Manager Brad Treliving, in his first year with the Leafs, noted that Matthews’ leadership qualities and work ethic made him the ideal candidate for captain. Tavares was receptive to the change and had anticipated this development.
The ceremony was well-attended by past and present Leafs players, including Doug Gilmour and Wendel Clark, as well as team staff and executives. While Tavares will no longer hold the captaincy, he will continue to wear an alternate captain’s “A” and remains focused on contributing to the team’s quest for a Stanley Cup.
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