The Toronto Maple Leafs announced today that John Tavares will serve as the 25th captain in franchise history.

Alongside Tavares, defenceman Morgan Rielly will serve as one alternate captain, while forwards Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner will rotate as alternate captains throughout the season.

Tavares, 29, skated in 82 games with the Maple Leafs in 2018-19 and established new career-highs in goals (47) and points (88), while recording 41 assists. In doing so, Tavares established a new record for goals by a Maple Leaf centre, while recording the eighth-most goals in a single season by a Maple Leaf skater. His 88 points placed him in a tie for the 18th-most in a single season in franchise history.

Since entering the League in 2009-10, Tavares ranks third among NHL skaters in goals (319), 16th among NHL skaters in assists (390) and seventh among NHL skaters in points (709).

The Oakville, Ontario native was named to the NHL's All-Rookie Team in 2009-10 and later earned a place on the NHL's First All-Star Team in 2014-15. He has also appeared in the NHL All-Star Game on six occasions (2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019), representing the Maple Leafs in 2019.

Tavares was signed as a free agent by the Maple Leafs on July 1, 2018. He was originally selected in the first round (first overall) of the 2009 NHL Draft by the New York Islanders.