Team USA captain Auston Matthews gets unexpected welcome from Leafs fans upon return to Toronto

'Fox & Friends First' co-host Carley Shimkus talks to fans in Newark, New Jersey, as they celebrate Team USA's gold medal hockey victory.

Team USA men’s hockey captain returned to his home ice in the NHL – ScotiaBank Arena in Toronto – and the Canadian faithful could’ve made it a lot worse on him during his homecoming. 

Matthews, who helped Team USA beat beat Canada in the gold-medal game, knew he would be returning north of the border at some point to continue his 2025-26 NHL season. But the recognition he got was surprisingly positive despite him being a part of the team that upset Canada in Milan. 

During a stoppage in play against the Ottawa Senators, led by Matthews’ U.S. teammate Brady Tkachuk, the Maple Leafs gave recognition to the three players on their team who represented their countries in the Milan Cortina Games. 

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Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs warms up before facing the Ottawa Senators at the Scotiabank Arena on February 28, 2026 in Toronto. (Mark Blinch/NHLI)

After introducing Swedish stars William Nylander and Oliver Ekman-Larsson, the arena PA announcer introduced the Leafs’ "gold medalist" captain in Matthews, who received some jeers initially. 

Then, the whole arena rose to give Matthews a standing ovation as he was called out by the announcer. So, instead of ripping into Matthews for what happened overseas, the fans gave their veteran captain a round of applause before play resumed. 

The TSN broadcast also showed Tkachuk on his Senators bench, looking up at the video board and smiling as Matthews was called. 

United States' Auston Matthews, right, celebrates after scoring his side's fifth goal during a preliminary round game of men's ice