The Toronto Maple Leafs are making a captaincy change. The Hockey News breaks down why Auston Matthews will become the 26th captain in franchise history. Auston Matthews is the new captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs and the star NHLers wasted no time sporting his new look on the ice. Matthews was on the ice with hockey equipment manufacturer and skates supplier CCM on Thursday and he was skating around with the new 'C' on his left shoulder. CCM has supplied Matthews with hockey equipment for some time now, but this marked the first time the Leafs player was spotted wearing the new look on the ice. It should be noted that the jersey worn appears to be the old Adidas look as indicated by the dimples over the shoulder. The NHL switched jersey suppliers to Fanatics beginning this season. The general look of the Leafs jersey itself is the same as the old one. The first American-born captain in Maple Leafs history, Matthews became the new leader in an unveiling on Wednesday. Previous captain John Tavares presented Matthews with the new Leafs jersey and the 'C' instead of the 'A' he had worn for the last five years. In eight NHL seasons, Matthews has accomplished so much in a short time. With 368 goals and 281 assists in 562 games, the star player won the Hart Trophy as league MVP for the first time following the 2021-22 season. He has won the Maurice 'Rocket' Richard Trophy three times for leading the league in goals and set a new Leafs record again this past season with 69 in a single season. Matthews also won the Calder Trophy, handed out annually to the best rookie when he scored 40 goals and added 29 assists in 2016-17. He also led the NHL in even-strength goals that season with 32. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNTk1MTUxMDE2NDM2ODQ0/cf1808c0-6a82-4298-9049-3eb2eae105b0.jpg] Related Counting Down the Top 10 Maple Leafs Prospects in 2024: No. 6 - Nikita Grebenkin [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/counting-down-the-top-10-maple-leafs-prospects-in-2024-no-6-nikita-grebenkin] Why Former Maple Leafs Goaltending Prospect Keith Petruzzelli Signed an AHL Deal With Flyers Farm Club [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/why-former-maple-leafs-goaltending-prospect-keith-petruzzelli-signs-ahl-deal-with-flyers-farm-club] Maple Leafs’ William and Alex Nylander Tee Off in Stockholm, Pictured Playing Golf in Recent Instagram Stories [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/maple-leafs-william-and-alex-nylander-tee-off-in-stockholm-pictured-playing-golf-in-recent-instagram-stories] News from THN.com NHL's Top Issues Facing the Anaheim Ducks: Lottery Sweepstakes, Zegras, Gauthier [https://thehockeynews.com/news/nhls-top-issues-facing-the-anaheim-ducks-lottery-sweepstakes-zegras-gauthier] Look At the 99 Stanley Cup Rings a Recent Photograph Represents [https://thehockeynews.com/news/look-at-the-99-stanley-cup-rings-a-recent-photograph-represents] Olympic Week: Why the Winner of the 4 Nations Face-Off Won't Necessarily Win at the 2026 Olympics [https://thehockeynews.com/news/olympic-week-why-the-winner-of-the-4-nations-face-off-wont-necessarily-win-at-the-2026-olympics]
