Auston Matthews Turns Heads with Unexpected Equipment Change

The hockey equipment world is usually good for a few major surprises per season, and Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews delivered a particularly intriguing one last week. On December 4th, during a matchup against the Nashville Predators, Matthews took to the ice wearing Bauer Vapor HyperLite 2 skates instead of his usual CCM Tacks XF Pros—a curious choice for a player who has been one of CCM’s most prominent ambassadors since 2019. The unexpected sight sent shockwaves through the hockey community, sparking a frenzy of speculation about what prompted this unusual move.

Matthews has been synonymous with CCM for years. In 2019, he signed a high-profile partnership deal with the brand, committing to using their equipment exclusively. Since then, Matthews has showcased CCM gear in practices, games, and promotional materials, becoming one of the most recognizable faces for the company. Funny enough, in his three seasons prior to 2019-20, his equipment partner was none other than Bauer. Many fans probably still recall his avid use of Nexus sticks and Vapor skates throughout his first three seasons in the NHL.

That’s what made his appearance in Bauer skates so shocking. To complicate matters, Matthews’ Bauer skates had the brand name conspicuously covered, suggesting some form of adherence to his CCM contract. Observant fans and analysts were quick to notice, igniting discussions about whether Matthews might have violated his deal, received special permission, or was testing the skates for a specific purpose.

Theories abound as to why Matthews has made this equipment switch. One plausible explanation is that he’s nursing a foot injury and received clearance to use Bauer skates, which might better accommodate his current needs. All skates have a particular fit, and for players dealing with foot issues, certain models could make for a temporary solution. However, the optics of Matthews deviating from his CCM deal—especially given the high-profile nature of their partnership—raise questions about the long-term implications.

Another possibility is that Matthews is exploring new equipment options as a precursor to renegotiating or ending his CCM deal. Yet this seems unlikely, given that he reportedly has years remaining on his contract with the company. If true, the switch would likely require explicit approval from CCM, underscoring the unusual nature of this situation.

Interestingly, Matthews has worn the Bauer skates in multiple games since the initial outing against Nashville, suggesting this is more than a one-time experiment. However, an official explanation is yet to have been made from anyone involved, leaving fans and analysts to speculate. Will this change persist for the remainder of the season? Could it signal the beginning of a larger shift in Matthews’ equipment choices, or is it merely a short-term solution to an immediate need?

For now, "Auston Matthews' Skates" has become a trending topic among hockey enthusiasts. Whether it’s the intrigue of an equipment shake-up or the implications for his relationship with CCM, fans are watching closely to see what unfolds next. At the same time, it’s important to understand the possibility that no further information or explanation is ever revealed.

One thing is certain though: when Auston Matthews is involved, the hockey world will for sure being paying attention. 

Photo Credit: Icon Sportswire & Kevin Sousa