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 was unveiled as the 26th captain in Maple Leafs history inside a packed Real Sports Bar in Toronto. It was a big moment for many, in and outside, the organization. Matthews' parents and the entire family of John Tavares were in attendance as the 33-year-old passed the captaincy over to the 26-year-old on Wednesday. Other notable guests at the ceremony were former Maple Leafs captains Doug Gilmour and Wendel Clark, MLSE CEO Keith Pelley, MLSE Chair Larry Tanenbaum, Toronto President Brendan Shanahan, GM Brad Treliving, and head coach Craig Berube. "This decision is the recognition of the maturation of a special person," Tavares said, in front of a full crowd inside Real Sports Bar, steps away from Scotiabank Arena. Below are several photos of the presentation that saw Matthews as the next captain of the Maple Leafs. [gallery ids="1871,1872,1873,1863,1874,1875,1808"] After presenting Matthews with the new honor, Treliving added that Tavares would remain an assistant captain with Toronto next season. Head coach Berube will determine the remainder of the assistant captains ahead of the upcoming season. "I think that's the goal, to be a Leaf for life, to win here, with my teammates, for this city," Matthews said on Wednesday. "I've loved every minute of being a Toronto Maple Leaf. Like I said, it's such a tremendous honor, and you can only take it one day at a time, but I hope that's the case." Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNTk1MTUxMDE2NDM2ODQ0/cf1808c0-6a82-4298-9049-3eb2eae105b0.jpg] Related ‘I Feel Stronger Than Ever In My Ability To Compete’: Why John Tavares Believed Now was the Right Time to Hand Over the Maple Leafs Captaincy to Auston Matthews [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/i-feel-stronger-than-ever-in-my-ability-to-compete-why-john-tavares-believed-now-was-the-right-time-to-hand-over-the-maple-leafs-captaincy-to-auston-matthews] 'That's Not A Human': Former Maple Leafs Forward Tyler Ennis Breaks Down Similarities in Auston Matthews and Oilers’ Connor McDavid [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/thats-not-a-human-former-maple-leafs-forward-tyler-ennis-breaks-down-similarities-in-auston-matthews-and-oilers-connor-mcdavid] ‘I Don’t Understand Why Everyone Is Always Up His A** About Everything’: Former Maple Leafs Defenseman Zach Bogosian Defends Mitch Marner Amid Criticism [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/i-dont-understand-why-everyone-is-always-up-his-a-about-everything-former-maple-leafs-defenseman-zach-bogosian-defends-mitch-marner-amid-criticism] News from THN.com 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] NHL Hot Seat Radar: While Sabres Owner Pegula May Be at the End of His Losing Line, Young Star Dahlin's Spot is Cemented [https://thehockeynews.com/news/nhl-hot-seat-radar-while-sabres-owner-pegula-may-be-at-the-end-of-his-losing-line-young-star-dahlins-spot-is-cemented] NHL Free Agency: A Handful of Needle-Moving RFAs Are Still Waiting [https://thehockeynews.com/news/nhl-free-agency-a-handful-of-needle-moving-rfas-are-still-waiting]
