Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews was met with boos from a portion of the crowd during Saturday’s home game against the Ottawa Senators, following a pre-game ceremony recognizing players who competed in the 2026 Winter Olympics.

While Sweden’s Oliver Ekman-Larsson and William Nylander received applause upon being recognized, Matthews was greeted with audible boos when his name was announced.

Fan Reaction Linked to White House Visit

The negative reaction is widely believed to stem from Matthews’ recent visit to the White House after winning a gold medal with Team USA at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Games. A clip of U.S. President Donald Trump congratulating the team and inviting them to his State of the Union address went viral, sparking controversy.

“Booing ur captain is actually insane,” one person said on TikTok.

The video circulating online includes a joke from the president about inviting the women’s team to avoid impeachment, which was met with laughter from many of the male players. The women’s team, also gold medalists at the Milano Cortina Olympics, declined an invitation to attend the speech.

Divided Fanbase

The response to Matthews has divided fans online. Some expressed outrage at the booing, while others felt it was justified.

“If I were Matthews, I’d ask for a trade,” one person shared on TikTok.

Others joked that the booing wasn’t loud enough.

“That wasn’t loud enough! You all needed to boo louder than that!” one commenter wrote.

Some fans called for moving past the incident.

“Let it go. That was cruel and unnecessary. I think the US men’s hockey get it now, I hope. Congratulations, Auston Matthews, on your gold medal,” a fan commented. “I hope you realize why people booed, and the rest of us need to move forward.”

Leafs Struggle Continues

The incident occurred after a difficult stretch for the Maple Leafs. The team lost 5-2 to the Ottawa Senators on Saturday, a game where it was embarrassing to be honest with you, according to Matthews. The loss dropped Toronto to 27-24-9, eight points out of a playoff spot.

Matthews is still producing at a high level, with 26 goals and 25 assists this season, but acknowledged the team needs to improve. We need to have more pride in our play no matter where we’re at, no matter what the situation is, he said.

FAQ

• Why were fans booing Auston Matthews? Fans booed Matthews due to his recent visit to the White House after winning a gold medal with Team USA.
• What was the reaction to the White House visit? A clip of President Trump joking about inviting the women’s team sparked controversy.
• What is the Maple Leafs’ current record? The Maple Leafs are currently 27-24-9.