John Tavares on passing on the captaincy to Auston Matthews: “It felt more and more right as time went on… It allows Auston to fully embrace the leader that he is and have an even greater impact on our team”

I have something prepared.

Before my second season in Toronto, I was given the extraordinary honour and responsibility of becoming the next captain and following in the footsteps of 24 Leaf greats. I have cherished every second of it. I have never taken it for granted. I have given the captaincy everything that I have every single day. It has meant the world to my family and me.

Over the last few months, after deep discussions and thoughts with Brad, Brendan, and me, we have decided that now is the time to pass the captaincy on to Auston.