John Tavares was born to captain the Toronto Maple Leafs

In what felt like a moment destiny was waiting for, John Tavares finally steps into the role he was born for as the new captain of the Maple Leafs.

The long debate is over as the Toronto Maple Leafs finally named John Tavares the 25th captain in franchise history. Tavares is the perfect choice to lead this franchise into the future as he takes on a role he feels destined to do.

Ever since he received exemption status to play in the OHL as an under-ager, ever since the Maple Leafs attempted to sign Tavares to the Toronto Marlies before he was even drafted, ever since Brian Burke stood at a podium claiming the Maple Leafs will trade for Tavares during his draft year. Everything in Tavares’ history felt like it was leading up to this moment of being named the new captain of the Maple Leafs.

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When he entered the NHL, he took on the pressure of shouldering an entire franchise with the New York Islanders. He captained the Islanders for five seasons, representing the club with class and professionalism throughout his entire time on Long Island, despite the team doing absolutely nothing to surround him with any sort of on-ice support.

In retrospect, everything Tavares endured with the highs and lows of being with the Islanders prepared him for the hockey-crazed Toronto market. If he could handle the New York media through so many tough seasons, Tavares could survive being the face and voice of the Maple Leafs.

By being the first option the Toronto media will go to, Tavares now provides a shield over his younger core. Sure, Morgan Rielly would have been a fine choice for captain, but now Rielly can focus on leading the way on a thin blue line.

Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner could have been named captain, but now the players in their young-20s can focus on playing the game and living up to their big contracts instead of always needing to take time to talk to the media. Yes, both will still get plenty of media demands, but Tavares will always be front of the line to take the criticism and he’s proven he can do it without it affecting his on-ice performance.

What makes Tavares the perfect choice is he’s been groomed for this since he entered the OHL at 15-years old. The Canadian media followed him around his entire junior career, surrounding him in hype and myth for years before he ever moved to New York.

Dealing with the ridiculousness of what will be Toronto media is nothing new for Tavares. It won’t bother him and when Matthews and Marner just want to be early 20-years old, they don’t have to always worry about leadership duties because Tavares has their back.

Ultimately, the club could have named Tavares captain last year either after he signed in the summer or before his first season began with the Maple Leafs. By giving him an extra year to get comfortable in his new surroundings, as well as living up to the big contract he signed, adding a captaincy last year just wasn’t needed at the time.

However, the time felt right at the club’s season opener. The home time kid returned home a year ago, he got comfortable in his new home, and he’s ready to lead the team to the next level. He’s wanted this. He’s dreamed of it. The pictures of his Maple Leaf pajamas have been seen by everyone but it just shows how much this honor truly means for Tavares. Which is why Tavares finally steps into the role it feels he was born to take on.