Several key MLSE staff, Maple Leafs management, and former Toronto captains were also in attendance for the announcement.
A few younger guests sat in the front row as John Tavares handed over the captaincy to Auston Matthews on Wednesday inside a packed Real Sports Bar.
The families of both Tavares and Matthews arrived shortly before the announcement was made that the 26-year-old forward would be the 26th captain in Maple Leafs history.
Both of the player's relatives were seated beside each other, and both of Tavares' sons, Jace and Axton, each wore a Matthews jersey with the captaincy already stitched on.
"I didn't know that was going to happen. His kids are awesome and they've been around a lot and we've been able to hang out and get to know them. It was pretty cool to see them wearing the 34 with the 'C' on it," Matthews said with a big grin.
"My relationship with John, we have a great relationship. He's an amazing teammate and friend, so it was pretty cool to see the little kids in the front row."
Tavares' sons are well known throughout Leafs Nation. When Matthew Knies and Fraser Minten stayed with the family last October, the two shared how much Tavares' kids love mini sticks.
"[Minten] he and Kniesy have really kicked it off playing together and spending time with one another and my boys love it," Tavares said following the beginning of the 2023-24 season.
During the Maple Leafs' Blueprint moment on Thursday, which was filmed throughout Wednesday's big announcement, Matthews can be seen signing Tavares' son's jerseys, and asking if they wanted to play mini sticks later.
"Mini sticks tonight?" he asked with a grin.
Tavares added in the video that his sons love to collect jerseys and they're very eager to add this one to the collection.
"My boys, they love collecting jerseys, and they got a new fresh one, and they're really excited, obviously. They love all the guys in the locker room, and certainly Auston's been so good to them," Tavares said.
Tavares recalled how he told Matthews about the captaincy when the two of them, plus Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving, were on stage inside Real Sports Bar. The 33-year-old said it was late July when he called Matthews and told him the time was right to transfer the captaincy.
"After he kind of let me know and everything, I told him I was, like shaking and I had chills," Matthews said as he recollected those moments on the phone.
"It's such a big honor to just to represent the Maple Leafs and to put on that jersey every night. To be the captain truly special."
