Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews hits ice wearing 'C' for first time

Auston Matthews is getting accustomed to the new addition to his Toronto Maple Leafs jersey.

A smiling Matthews hit the ice sporting the “C” for the first time in a video CCM Hockey posted to social media Thursday, one day after he was named the new captain of the Maple Leafs.

The 26-year-old Matthews succeeds John Tavares, who had served as Maple Leafs captain since October 2019. Tavares will remain part of the team’s leadership group.

Matthews is the 26th captain in franchise history and the first American to hold the position.

He won his third Rocket Richard Trophy this past season after leading the league with 69 goals. Matthews captured both the Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award in 2022.

The Scottsdale, Ariz., native signed a four-year, $53 million contract extension last summer that will begin this season.