Auston Matthews speaks for 1st time as Leafs captain

Leafs Nation: Your first look at Auston Matthews rocking the captain's "C" on ice:

Read below for our earlier report on Matthews' captaincy, published by Hockey Feed staff writer Michael Whitaker yesterday afternoon.

The move has officially been made - Auston Matthews is the 26th captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, succeeding John Tavares from the role that he held since he beginning of the 2019-20 season. 

The elite goal scoring forward becomes the first American to assume the captaincy of the Leafs, and just the 2nd non-Canadian, following in the footsteps of franchise icon Mats Sundin. And he is looking forward to the challenge that will be coming alongside the massive responsibility.

"I’m incredibly humbled to be named captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs," said Matthews. "I’m honoured to follow in John’s footsteps and continue our work in leading this team along with so many other leaders within our dressing room. This team, this city, and our fans mean everything to me. We all embrace the history of this franchise, and we are determined to get the job done.”

This past season, Matthews set the new Leafs franchise record for goals in a single season with 69. However, he missed a handful of games in Toronto's Round 1 Stanley Cup Playoff exit at the hands of the Boston Bruins, marking yet another early exit from the postseason.

Since being drafted 1st overall by the Leafs in 2016, Matthews has been one of the elite goal scorers in the NHL and has racked up 368 tallies in just 562 games. 

Will the Leafs be able to get over the hump and make extended lengthy playoff runs with Matthews wearing the "C" on his sweater now? 

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