Breaking News: Toronto Maple Leafs Coach Offers Update on Injury Status of Prominent Forward
Toronto Maple Leafs Captain Auston Matthews Leaves Practice with Injury Concern
On September 24, Auston Matthews, the captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, exited practice early due to an apparent injury, raising concerns among fans. However, Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube later reassured that the injury does not seem serious.
“It’s just an upper-body issue. It’s not serious. He should be fine,” Berube stated.
While Berube did not disclose specific details about the injury, it appears that Matthews will recover quickly. He was not expected to play in the Maple Leafs’ preseason game against the Ottawa Senators on the same day.
Matthews was appointed as the 26th captain in Maple Leafs history on August 14 after John Tavares stepped down from the role. During the announcement, Matthews expressed his honor and humility in taking on this responsibility.
“I felt chills. I’m truly honored and humbled to have been drafted here eight years ago. Playing for the city of Toronto and wearing the Maple Leaf every night is incredibly special to me,” Matthews said.
He also expressed gratitude for the support from his teammates, staff, and family, emphasizing his commitment to winning the Stanley Cup for Toronto. “My goal is to be a Leaf for life and to achieve that with my teammates,” he added.
Matthews has been a key player for the Maple Leafs since being selected first overall in the 2016 NHL Draft. Last season, he played 81 games, scoring 69 goals and providing 38 assists for a total of 107 points.
Berube Critiques Team After Preseason Loss
In his first game as head coach on September 22, Berube led the Maple Leafs against the Ottawa Senators but faced a disappointing 6-5 overtime loss. He expressed frustration with the team’s performance, noting a slow start and poor puck movement.
“We started slowly and didn’t move the puck fast enough, which resulted in only two shots in the first period. At times, we were too fancy instead of being direct,” Berube commented.
The Maple Leafs will kick off their 2024-25 NHL season on October 9 against the Montreal Canadiens.
