Auston Matthews Details "Very Emotional" Phone Call From Tavares About Captaincy

Long-time Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares officially handed over the "C" to Auston Matthews on Wednesday, and even though many felt it's been long overdue, Matthews couldn't help but be overwhelmed by the honour.

He revealed the details today of the "very emotional" phone call he got from Tavares to tell him about the impending handover of the captaincy. 

"I had chills."

Auston Matthews talks about his emotions when John Tavares called him about the news of the captaincy. pic.twitter.com/KSFeakQOm7

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) August 14, 2024

“I told him I was like, shaking. I had chills,” said Matthews as he related his feelings about first hearing the news from Tavares over the phone. “Like I said, it’s such a big honour just to represent the Maple Leafs and put on that jersey every night. To be a captain is truly special. So, you know, for him to call me and kind of let me know that to pass on the captaincy, it was very emotional. I felt a lot of things, but it’s truly an honour.” 

And about Tavares, Matthews was duly impressed that his veteran teammate brought his kids to the news conference today, fully attired in Maple Leaf #34 jerseys (for Matthews) with the 'C' on them. 

"My relationship with John.. we have a great relationship. He's an amazing teammate and friend."

Tavares, turning 34 before the new season, is entering the final year of his seven-year deal with the Leafs, and management felt it was well past time for the captaincy keys to be handed over to the face of the franchise. 

Further confirming the class with which Tavares comports himself, GM Brad Treliving told of how he first brought up the idea of relieving the veteran of the 'C' right after the Leafs were eliminated in Game 7 of the first round by the Boston Bruins back in early May. 

“It was at that time John and I had a conversation and I first raised the thought I had about the succession of the captaincy to John,” Treliving said. “And I can tell you right from the start that John was on board."

And just because his time as Captain is at an end, it doesn't mean that Tavares' Maple Leafs run is over. In fact, it might have quite a few years left, according to a new report.