IT IS DONE: Toronto maples Leaf’s ice Hockey Star Auston Matthews Stuns Fans and Leaves Head Coach Craig Berube Speechless with Major Announcement Concerning…..

In a headline-grabbing press conference Wednesday morning, Auston Matthews officially accepted the role of the 26th captain in Toronto Maple Leafs history—a decision that left fans buzzing and even head coach Craig Berube momentarily speechless.

A Moment of Pure Emotion

When GM Brad Treliving announced the decision, Matthews could no longer suppress his excitement. “I got chills, honestly,” he confessed, as he took the podium. “I’m so honoured and humbled… to wear the Maple Leaf on your chest every single night” .

The Smooth Handover

The transition was a team effort: Treliving first proposed the change after the Leafs’ playoff exit in May, and veteran captain John Tavares was supportive from the start . In the words of the GM: “It wasn’t a hard conversation… everybody’s got the same goal—to win” .

Berube’s Silent Impact

Craig Berube, newly appointed this past May, was caught off guard by the announcement. Still adapting to his role, he deferred much of the captaincy talk to the core leadership group. But it was clear from his reaction that Matthews’ ascension marks a new chapter—one built around a star firsthand leader .

What It Means for Toronto

- Matthews, 26, becomes the first American-born captain in franchise history .

- He’s coming off a franchise-record 69-goal season and another Rocket Richard Trophy .

- As captain, his focus will be on leading by example—both on the scoresheet and in the locker room.

Matthews Sets the Tone

“I’m going to keep evolving as a leader and lead by example… we have a lot of great leaders,” Matthews said. His remarks underscore a leadership style that prioritizes humility, accountability, and continuity .

The Future Is Now

With the new “C” stitched on his jersey, Matthews takes a huge step toward becoming the face of the franchise—commanding the ice, the locker room, and the city of Toronto. Under Berube’s tough-minded coaching and Matthews’s emerging leadership, Maple Leafs fans are already dreaming bigger than ever.

Bottom line: Auston Matthews’s elevation to captain isn’t just symbolic—it’s a seismic shift for Toronto’s future. And with both coach and fans rallying behind him, the journey to a Stanley Cup might just feel closer than ever.