For the first time since they traded Dion Phaneuf during the 2015-16 season, the Toronto Maple Leafs have a captain. To little surprise after news surfaced about Auston Matthews’ disorderly conduct charges, John Tavares will be that captain.
Unfortunately, Tavares didn’t come out during the season-opener wearing his Maple Leafs bed sheets around his neck like a cap while sporting the “C.” Maybe next year?
The Maple Leafs decided to make the announcement during player introductions before Wednesday’s season and home-opener against the Ottawa Senators. Tavares, 29, is the 25th captain in Maple Leafs’ history. Phaneuf had been Maple Leafs captain for some time, as he served that role from 2010-11 up until that in-season swap in 2015-16.
As you can see from the video above this post’s headline, the Maple Leafs shared the captaincy news with Tavares in a creative way, revealing it with some help from his baby boy, Jace.
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James O’Brien is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @cyclelikesedins.