When John Tavares picked up the phone and called Auston Matthews to reveal that he'd like to pass on the "C" this season and help Matthews grow individually and as the team's new leader, he was very clear about what the moment meant to him, becoming the first U.S. born captain in Maple Leafs history.
"I got chills, honestly," said Matthews of the call
During Wednesday's captaincy change press conference in Toronto, Matthews was asked about his future beyond the 4-year deal that he'll begin this season -- particularly about whether he'd like to play his entire career as a Leaf. His response was everything a Leafs fan could hope for.
"Well, I mean, I think that's the goal, is to be a Leaf for life. To win here, with my teammates, for this city. Those are always things that you kind of keep in the back of your mind. But they're also things that are kind of in the future as well.
I've loved every minute of being a Toronto Maple Leaf. Like I said, it's such a tremendous honour and you kind of take it one day at a time, but I hope that's the case."
The goal, as Matthews alluded to, is winning with this team. The hope is that he can accomplish this goal as the new captain of Canada's hockey mecca in Toronto.