John Tavares recently remarked that in his childhood dreams of playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs, he never envisioned having a ‘C’ on his jersey. Simply wearing the blue and white was fulfilling enough for him. However, now at 29 years old, he has exceeded even his own aspirations. Tavares was appointed as the team’s 25th captain in a pre-game ceremony before the NHL season opener against the Ottawa Senators, filling a position that had been vacant for over three and a half years.
Tavares was informed of the news 48 hours prior, with his wife Aryne and three-week-old son Jace involved in the unveiling at the team’s offices. In a touching moment captured in a video released by the Leafs, Jace sported a miniature version of his father’s jersey adorned with the ‘C’ before Tavares was presented with the authentic captaincy by head coach Mike Babcock.
Reflecting on the moment after Toronto’s victory over Ottawa, Tavares expressed immense emotion and described it as incredibly special. He was the last of his teammates to step onto the ice, acknowledging the crowd with his stick in hand.
Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas commented on the selection, stating that while Tavares was a fantastic choice, there were several viable candidates for the role. Ultimately, it was decided collectively that Tavares was the best fit at the time.
Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and Morgan Rielly were named alternates, with Rielly receiving his ‘A’ on a full-time basis and the other two sharing the responsibility. Tavares joins a distinguished list of Leafs legends who have donned the ‘C,’ including Hap Day, Syl Apps, and Mats Sundin.
Matthews praised Tavares for his humility, work ethic, and leadership qualities, emphasizing that he sets an exemplary standard for the team.
In his career spanning both New York and Toronto, Tavares has been a consistent performer, with notable achievements including a career-high 47 goals and 88 points in the 2018-19 season. Both Sittler and Clark, former Leafs captains, congratulated Tavares on his new role.
Despite speculation surrounding Matthews’ suitability for the captaincy due to recent off-ice issues, Dubas affirmed that the decision was unaffected by these circumstances.
Head coach Babcock highlighted Tavares’ dedication to winning and his selfless approach to the game, emphasizing his focus on team success above personal accolades.
