Auston Matthews was formally introduced as the 26th captain in Toronto Maple Leafs history at a press conference Wednesday, held at Real Sports
Matthews was joined by John Tavares and general manager Brad Treliving at the podium, while Morgan Rielly, Mitch Marner, Craig Berube, Brendan Shanahan and Keith Pelley sat in the front row. Treliving opened the press conference by welcoming the organization and their families to the press conference. Matthews and Tavares’ parents were in attendance as well, and it was a true maturation and celebration of the team’s core group on Wednesday.
“I got chills, honestly,” Matthews said. “I’m so honored and humbled since being drafted here eight years ago. You realize how special it is to play for the city of Toronto, to wear the Maple Leaf on your chest every single night. It just means the world to do that. To have the support from Johnny, my teammates, our staff, ownership, my family, it just means the world to me. I look forward to continuing our journey to obviously get to the top of the mountain and win the Stanley Cup and bring it back to Toronto.”
Auston Matthews: I’ve got chills, honestly. It just means the world. To have the support from Johnny, our staff, ownership, my family, it means the world to me.
— Arun Srinivasan (@Arunthings) August 14, 2024
“I do recognize the development of our young core, specifically Auston,” Tavares said.
“This decision is definitely not about whether I’ve succeeded or failed, whether I’m capable or that my time has passed. I feel stronger than ever in my ability to complete, play at a high level and make significant contributions through my leadership. This decision is a recognition of a maturation of a person, who has shown a skill set that is special, unique and who has a relentless drive to win. In that, I think Auston can become more and he is ready for this honour and responsibility. With me passing on the captaincy, it will allow Auston to fully embrace the leader that he is and have an even greater impact on the team. I’ll be able continue to lead with the way that I’ve been doing and give Auston my full support.”
Treliving opened the press conference by welcoming the organization and their families to the press conference.
Treliving on Tavares: Right from the start, John was on board. John said to me number one was when he first came here, he didn’t come to become captain of the Maple Leafs, he came to win a Stanley Cup in his home town.
— Arun Srinivasan (@Arunthings) August 14, 2024
It was a natural progression of Toronto’s timeline to grant Matthews the captaincy, as he is the team’s best player, a perpetual Hart Trophy candidate firmly in his prime. Matthews scored 69 goals last season, while earning a Selke Trophy finalist designation.
John Tavares officially hands off the captaincy to Auston Matthews. pic.twitter.com/P8VGLe9p64
— Arun Srinivasan (@Arunthings) August 14, 2024
Tavares, by all accounts was on board with the decision and his children wore Matthews jerseys to the press conference. He will remain as an assistant captain for the 2024-25 season, Treliving confirmed.
from one captain to the next
Auston Matthews pic.twitter.com/Kc6Rj0RepD
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) August 14, 2024
“Before my second season in Toronto, I was given the incredible honour and responsibility of being the next captain and follow in the footsteps of 24 Leafs greats,” Tavares said. “I’ve cherished every second of it, never taken it for granted, and have given the captaincy everything I have every single day It has meant the world to my family and I.”
More to come.
