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Auston Matthews is named captain of Maple Leafs, succeeding John Tavares

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Auston Matthews is named captain of Maple Leafs, succeeding John Tavares
Sport

Sport

Auston Matthews is named captain of Maple Leafs, succeeding John Tavares

2024-08-15 00:42 Last Updated At:00:51

TORONTO (AP) — Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews, the NHL's leading goal scorer in three of the past four seasons, was named Toronto's captain on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old Matthews succeeds John Tavares, who had worn the “C” for the Maple Leafs since 2019 and is set to become a free agent next summer. Matthews signed a four-year, $53 million extension a year ago that kicks in this season.

“I got chills, honestly. I'm so honored and humbled,” Matthews said at a news conference. “Since being drafted here eight years ago, you realize how special it is to play for the city of Toronto, to wear the Maple Leaf on your chest every night.

“It just means the world.”

Tavares attended the news conference and said he supported the move. The 33-year-old said he called Matthews in late July to inform him of the captaincy switch.

“You’re talking about one of the best players in the game of hockey,” Tavares said. “It’s amazing how he pushes the team, I think a lot of times without even himself realizing it, you can tell how he inspires others with his talent, work ethic.”

Matthews scored a career-best 69 goals last season. The center also won the Rocket Richard Trophy as the NHL's top goal scorer in 2021 and 2022 and won the Hart Trophy as MVP in ’22.

Now the Maple Leafs are hoping he can lead the team to its first Stanley Cup since 1967. In April, the Leafs lost in the first round of the playoffs for the sixth time in eight seasons, a seven-game defeat to Boston in which Matthews was limited by injury and scored just one goal.

“People want to follow him. He walks into a room and people are gravitating to him,” Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving said. “We’ve had the distinct pleasure to be led by John for the last number of years, a great captain.

“I couldn’t think of a better person for him to bestow this honor on and pass on to than Auston.”

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Former Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares, left, hands the captains jersey to Maple Leafs new captain Auston Matthews in Toronto, Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024. (Cole Burston/The Canadian Press via AP)

Former Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares, left, hands the captains jersey to Maple Leafs new captain Auston Matthews in Toronto, Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024. (Cole Burston/The Canadian Press via AP)

Former Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares, left, hands the captains jersey to Maple Leafs new captain Auston Matthews in Toronto, Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024. (Cole Burston/The Canadian Press via AP)

Former Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares, left, hands the captains jersey to Maple Leafs new captain Auston Matthews in Toronto, Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024. (Cole Burston/The Canadian Press via AP)

Former Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares, left, hands the captains jersey to Maple Leafs new captain Auston Matthews in Toronto, Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024. (Cole Burston/The Canadian Press via AP)

Former Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares, left, hands the captains jersey to Maple Leafs new captain Auston Matthews in Toronto, Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024. (Cole Burston/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Pope Francis calls Trump's plans of mass deportation of immigrants 'a disgrace'

2025-01-20 15:41 Last Updated At:15:51

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis said Donald Trump’s plans to impose mass deportations of immigrants would be a “disgrace,” as he weighed in on the incoming U.S. president’s pledges nearly a decade after calling him “not Christian” for wanting to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexican border.

History’s first Latin American pope was asked about the Trump administration pledges of deportations during an appearance Sunday night on a popular Italian talk show, Che Tempo Che Fa.

“If true, this will be a disgrace, because it makes the poor wretches who have nothing pay the bill” for the problem, Francis said. “This won’t do! This is not the way to solve things. That’s not how things are resolved.”

Trump, who is being sworn in on Monday, made mass deportations a signature issue of his campaign and has promised a raft of first-day orders to remake immigration policy.

During his first campaign for the presidency, in 2016, Francis was asked about Trump’s plans to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Speaking after he celebrated Mass along the border, Francis famously said anyone who builds a wall to keep out migrants is “not Christian.”

Many U.S. bishops have firmly opposed Trump’s deportation plan, with the incoming archbishop of Washington D.C., Cardinal Robert McElroy, saying such policies were “incompatible with Catholic doctrine.” It was a reference to the Biblical call to “welcome the stranger.”

Another cardinal close to Francis, Chicago Cardinal Blasé Cupich, said the reports of mass deportations targeting the Chicago area “are not only profoundly disturbing but also wound us deeply.”

In a statement delivered from the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City on Sunday, Cupich said governments have the responsibility to protect borders and communities.

“But we also are committed to defending the rights of all people, and protecting their human dignity,” according to the text of his statement.

Francis, who grew up in Argentina in a family of Italian immigrants, has long prioritized the plight of migrants and called for governments to welcome, protect and integrate them, within their means. He has said the dignity and rights of migrants trump any national security concerns.

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

Pope Francis delivers his blessing as he recites the Angelus noon prayer from the window of his studio overlooking St.Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis delivers his blessing as he recites the Angelus noon prayer from the window of his studio overlooking St.Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis delivers his blessing as he recites the Angelus noon prayer from the window of his studio overlooking St.Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis delivers his blessing as he recites the Angelus noon prayer from the window of his studio overlooking St.Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

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