Auston Matthews looks like the
captain and leader the US expected at the Olympics
[February 18, 2026]
By STEPHEN WHYNO
MILAN (AP) — The spotlight is constantly on Auston Matthews, no
matter where is.
He carries a lot on his shoulders in the NHL as captain of the
Toronto Maple Leafs in what is known as the center (centre in
Canada) of the hockey universe. He also has tons of pressure wearing
the “C” for the U.S. at the Milan Cortina Olympics.
By the time the preliminary round ended, Matthews looked precisely
like the leader the Americans were hoping he would be. He scored two
goals and had an assist on an otherworldly pass in a performance
against Germany that coach Mike Sullivan called inspiring to the
whole group.
Teammates are quick to defend Matthews the captain and the player,
with his style being far more about leading by example than with
words.
“He’s a quiet leader, but he does things the right way,” center
Dylan Larkin said Tuesday. “He sacrifices offense by being on the
defensive side of the puck all the time, he blocks shots and then he
rises to the occasion. There’s no one better to lead our group than
him.”
Matthews leads the U.S. into the quarterfinals against Sweden or
Latvia tied for first on the team in scoring with five points. The
Germany game stood out because, by his standards, the 28-year-old
center had a quiet start in Milan.
“He’s been great all tournament,” linemate Jake Guentzel said. “You
guys put a lot of heat on him for no reason. He’s just an
unbelievable player and plays in all situations.”
Jack Eichel is the first-line center between brothers Brady and
Matthew Tkachuk, but Sullivan loves what the trio of Matthews,
Guentzel and Matt Boldy can provide for his team. Matthews as a
second-line center is an incredible luxury reserved only for
tournaments like the Olympics when the collection of elite talent is
this deep.
“The way he plays the whole game defensively — winning faceoffs,
he’s great down low and he’s always in the right place,” Boldy said.
“The way he’s able to score and the way he’s table to play such an
honest game is pretty remarkable.”
Matthews led the NHL in goals three times in his first nine seasons
and is not far removed from scoring 69 in 2023-24. That's not what
the players and coaches around him are talking about when they see
what Matthews is doing on the ice.
“He does a lot of things really well, even when he’s not producing,
that people might not notice,” defenseman Zach Werenski said.
“Everyone’s always focused on his goal-scoring and rightfully so.
He’s one of the best goal-scorers in the world. But since we’ve been
here, he’s been such a leader for us the way he plays the game.”
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United States' Auston Matthews celebrates after scoring his side's
fifth goal during a preliminary round game of men's ice hockey
between the United States and Germany at the 2026 Winter Olympics,
in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
General manager Bill Guerin, who put this team together and decided
to keep Matthews as captain just like at the 4 Nations Face-Off a
year ago, pointed that out before the tournament started. Guerin
said he has a great relationship with Matthews, who he called “a
pretty special kid.”
“I think the world of him,” Guerin said. “There are a lot of
different ways to lead. He’s not a man of many words, but he puts it
out there every night.”
Against Germany, Matthews' feed to Werenski and goal from the edge
of the crease made it clear he was rounding into All-Star form.
Sullivan thinks Matthews' game has been building since group play
started, and Matthews agrees.
“Each game I’ve felt better and better,” he said. “It’s nice to kind
of get rewarded like that and just continue to build your confidence
individually and as a team.”
Matthews does not seem to lack confidence as a player, and being in
the pressure cooker that is Toronto has only hardened the Arizona
native for this experience.
“I’m sure he’s different here than with Toronto, just because it’s
such an elite group in there,” forward Jack Hughes said. “(He is) a
guy we look up to, to drive our group.”
Away from the rink, forward Vincent Trocheck said Matthews has been
arranging some player get-togethers. In the locker room, Matthews
isn't a vocal leader, but he commands plenty of respect.
“He’s a great captain,” Trocheck said. “He doesn’t speak up a ton,
but when he does you’re going to listen. I think he’s done a great
job so far.”
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