Auston Matthews was named captain of Team USA for the 4 Nations Face-Off on Wednesday.
The 27-year-old center is in his first season as captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 4 Nations Face-Off will be the first time Matthews will represent the United States since joining the NHL for the 2016-17 season.
"I mean, it's a huge honor, obviously just to be able to represent your country is pretty special," Matthews said Friday. "But to have the honor of wearing the 'C,' it's exciting. It's definitely not lost on me, the amount of leaders that are already on this team, guys that you know maybe wear letters for their respective clubs. But, it's definitely something that I'm not taken for granted. I mean, it's pretty special."
Team USA’s leadership group will also include alternate captains Matthew Tkachuk of the Florida Panthers and Charlie McAvoy of the Boston Bruins.
"We are thrilled to have Auston, Matthew, and Charlie leading our team at the 4 Nations Face-Off," said Team USA general manager Bill Guerin, who holds the same role with the Minnesota Wild. "They all bring leadership skills in different ways, and together represent the drive, desire and passion we need in not only representing our country, but in helping achieve our ultimate goal."