The Auston Matthews Skate Saga

As the Toronto Maple Leafs gear up for the start of the 2025-26 NHL season, few players are drawing as much attention as Auston Matthews. The three-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner and face of the franchise continues to command the spotlight both for his on-ice dominance and for the growing intrigue surrounding his equipment choices. 

While fans are wondering how Matthews will fare without longtime teammate Mitch Marner, and whether he can once again hit the 60-goal mark, the hockey gear community has its eyes on something else entirely. That being his choice of skates this year.

Matthews is in the middle of a partnership with CCM that was agreed upon in 2019, serving as one of the company’s most prominent ambassadors. Over the years, he’s been featured front and center in CCM campaigns, promoting their top-tier equipment lines. However, that long-term partnership took an unexpected twist last season. 

In early December 2024, Matthews surprised nearly everyone when he took the ice wearing Bauer Vapor HyperLite 2 skates. The switch was immediate and noticeable, sparking speculation about whether it was a temporary test, a comfort-driven decision, or the start of a bigger transition.

As it turned out, Matthews stuck with the Bauer skates for the majority of what remained of the 2024-25 season, fueling months of debate across the equipment world. Was CCM’s top star walking away from the brand mid-deal? Or was there something bigger happening behind the scenes? The mystery only deepened as the offseason and training camp approached.

Through much of the late summer, observers began noticing Matthews skating in boots that looked completely blacked out. No branding, no defining marks, just stealth. That was enough to reignite the speculation fire. Was he testing a new prototype? Was CCM developing a skate to win him back?

In recent weeks, during Maple Leafs’ preseason sessions, the situation has taken another interesting turn. Similar black skates have returned, but now with a bold CCM logo visible on the side. To the casual fan, it may look like a simple return to form. But for the gear experts and equipment enthusiasts who follow these details closely, the questions have only multiplied.

One notable, but highly unlikely, theory is that the skates might not actually be CCM at all. In the world of professional hockey, especially at the superstar level, it’s not uncommon for players to use highly customized equipment. 

Given Matthews’ unique standing in the sport, such a possibility isn’t far-fetched. Some have even wondered whether the CCM logos are stickers placed on a custom boot, possibly still built to Bauer’s specifications.

At the same time, there’s a growing sense that CCM could be preparing to unveil a brand-new skate line, and Matthews could be among the first to test it. 

The company recently launched its new Vizion line of hockey sticks, a major step forward in their product lineup. That has led to speculation that a “Vizion” skate line could be next, and that the boots Matthews has been wearing might, in fact, be early prototypes. If true, it would explain both the subtle design and the lack of official public details from CCM.

For now, it’s all speculation. But one thing is certain, and that’s when the Maple Leafs take the ice on opening night, all eyes will be on Matthews’ choice of skates for the new season. Whether he’s in Bauer’s familiar Vapors, a CCM prototype, or something entirely new, the choice will be a major talking point among players, fans, and gear insiders alike.

As Matthews enters his ninth NHL season, his influence extends far beyond his goal-scoring prowess. Every stick curve, every glove tweak, and now every skate detail becomes a headline. For a player who defines modern hockey style as much as skill, this skate drama feels fitting. Whatever the final verdict turns out to be, it’s clear that Auston Matthews continues to shape both the game and the gear culture that surrounds it.

Photo Credit: Claus Andersen