Maple Leafs confirm in-game Olympic recognition as Auston Matthews' return to Toronto ice draws focus
Photo credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs have confirmed when they'll celebrate Auston Matthews' gold medal win but it could end up drawing a bit of a debate given the circumstances.
As Auston Matthews settles back into life as an everyday NHL player, at least he can hold his head up high as he can say he is not only an Olympic gold medalist, but a leader who can get it done when it matters -- a huge talking point throughout his career.
However, the team has decided to celebrate the achievement with a ceremony on Saturday and according to one reporter there could be a very, very, mixed reaction.
Maple Leafs to celebrate Matthews as well as other Olympians
According to The Toronto Sun's Lance Hornby, the Maple Leafs are going to have the unenviable task of trying to give Matthews the credit due to him, but also do so without making any fans upset given the potential fallout:
A team spokesman said Friday there will be «a moment of recognition for our three Oympians», Matthews and Swedes William Nylander and Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
'This one is a hot potato,' a former Canadian NHL club public relations person with experience staging such events told the Toronto Sun. 'I think he'd get some booing for sure - for a couple of reasons.'
It's a little easier for the Maple Leafs to have done this before considering that the last person to have gotten recognition as an Olympian is Mats Sundin.
But with how tense things are at times currently, Matthews' decision to celebrate has caused a lot of debate over whether or not he should be given one, but the fact Toronto is also celebrating Oliver Ekman-Larsson and William Nylander as well, it's about celebrating their achievements too.
If the team wants to avoid any public issues, then perhaps they will follow in the footsteps of the Montreal Canadiens who used a TV timeout to give the arena crowd a chance to celebrate briefly; just a video and acknowledgement and move on.
Matthews definitely deserves the recognition, and with the Maple Leafs heading home for the first time since the Olympics (and not to mention playing Brady Tkachuk and the Senators) it could lead into a lot more fireworks than Toronto anticipated, regardless of how much they want to move past everything.
'This one is a hot potato,' a former Canadian NHL club public relations person with experience staging such events told the Toronto Sun. 'I think he'd get some booing for sure - for a couple of reasons.'
-
It's a little easier for the Maple Leafs to have done this before considering that the last person to have gotten recognition as an Olympian is Mats Sundin.
Toronto should acknowledge Matthews properly, but promptly
But with how tense things are at times currently, Matthews' decision to celebrate has caused a lot of debate over whether or not he should be given one, but the fact Toronto is also celebrating Oliver Ekman-Larsson and William Nylander as well, it's about celebrating their achievements too.
If the team wants to avoid any public issues, then perhaps they will follow in the footsteps of the Montreal Canadiens who used a TV timeout to give the arena crowd a chance to celebrate briefly; just a video and acknowledgement and move on.
Matthews definitely deserves the recognition, and with the Maple Leafs heading home for the first time since the Olympics (and not to mention playing Brady Tkachuk and the Senators) it could lead into a lot more fireworks than Toronto anticipated, regardless of how much they want to move past everything.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Hockey Canada says Wayne Gretzky locker-room claim is 'not true' in official post
Hockey Canada says Wayne Gretzky locker-room claim is 'not true' in official post
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 27|748 ANSWERS Maple Leafs confirm in-game Olympic recognition as Auston Matthews' return to Toronto ice draws focus Should Toronto keep things simple with Auston Matthews' gold medal celebration? | ||
| Yes | 651 | 87 % |
| No | 97 | 13 % |
| List of polls | ||
HOCKEY PATROL
COPYRIGHT @2026 - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
TERMS OF SERVICE - PRIVACY POLICY - COOKIE POLICY
COPYRIGHT @2026 - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
TERMS OF SERVICE - PRIVACY POLICY - COOKIE POLICY