Maple Leafs React to Major Auston Matthews Announcement on Monday originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Toronto Maple Leafs were eliminated in disappointing fashion after taking a 2-0 series lead over the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers in the second round. The Panthers battled back to force a Game 7, where Toronto was blown out 6-1.
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Now, with the offseason underway and the team looking to improve the roster, a major announcement was made Monday regarding captain Auston Matthews.
With NHL players set to return to the Olympics in 2026 for the first time since Sochi in 2014, Matthews was named as one of the first six players selected for Team USA’s roster for Milano-Cortina.
Each of the 12 countries announced its initial six on Monday, and shortly after Matthews’ name was listed, the Maple Leafs reacted.
“Andiamo, Auston 🇮🇹,” the Leafs wrote. “Matthews is Olympic bound!”
It was no surprise to see Matthews included in Team USA’s first six. The 27-year-old captained the red, white, and blue at this past February’s 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, where Team USA fell to Canada in the championship.
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That wasn’t the only time Matthews played for Team USA. He represented his country at the 2016 IIHF Men’s World Championship, 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship, 2015 IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship, 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship and 2014 IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship.
The Toronto Maple Leafs hailed their center Auston Matthews (34) on Olympic selection.Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
The 6-foot-3 center was selected No. 1 overall by the Maple Leafs in the 2016 NHL Draft. Over Matthews’ nine-year NHL career, he’s appeared in 629 regular-season games, tallying 33 goals, 45 assists and 78 points.
Related: USA Hockey Reveals First Six Players Selected for Milano-Cortina Olympic Team
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.