Auston Matthews has been named the 26th captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, succeeding John Tavares. Matthews, the first American-born player to captain the 107-year-old franchise, expressed his honor and excitement about the role. Tavares, who served as captain since 2019, supported the decision, emphasizing Matthews' leadership qualities and readiness for the position. Matthews has had a stellar career since being drafted first overall in 2016, including winning multiple Rocket Richard Trophies and other prestigious awards. This leadership change aims to invigorate the team as they continue their pursuit of the Stanley Cup.