Leafs Captain Auston Matthews Rejects Controversial Question From Reporter

As political news broke over the weekend about a potential tariff order from the United States, fans across Canadian arenas let it be known they were not pleased by booing the American National Anthem in Ottawa, Vancouver and Calgary.

On Sunday at Scotiabank Arena, the NBA's Toronto Raptors hosted the Los Angeles Clippers and the singing of 'The Star Spangled Banner' was once again almost completely drowned out by a chorus of boos.

According to TSN's Rick Westhead, there is apparently no appetite to discontinue the longstanding pre-game tradition, but as Elliotte Friedman noted on his '32 Thoughts' podcast on Monday, that could change depending how the Canadian anthem is received in US cities this week.

Although the Leafs are in the midst of a four-game road-trip, being affiliated with the Toronto Raptors was sure to garner at least one question about the actions of fans at Scotiabank Arena, as well as in Ottawa and Vancouver over the weekend.

Sure enough, following practice on Monday, one reporter asked Auston Matthews, who was named captain of Team USA last week, how he felt about his country's anthem being booed.

After pausing for a moment to digest the question, Matthews politely declined.

The 27-year-old won't experience any booing during the U.S. National Anthem on Tuesday, but may find on Thursday when the Leafs visit the Seattle Kraken whether U.S. fans will return the favour by booing the Canadian National Anthem.

Through 37 games in an injury-filled season, Matthews has managed to tally 20 goals, and 40 points and will look to get back in the goal category on the score sheet on Tuesday after not scoring in his last 3 games.