HOCKEY HEARTTHROB OFF THE MARKET: AUSTON MATTHEWS ENGAGED TO LONGTIME GIRLFRIEND EMILY RUTTLEDGE — MARRIAGE ARRANGEMENTS ARE UNDERWAY…
By Sports Exclusive | June 2025
—
In a moment that sent shockwaves through the hockey world and had fans from Toronto to Tempe collectively gasping with excitement and bittersweet disbelief, Toronto Maple Leafs superstar Auston Matthews is officially off the market. The 27-year-old NHL heartthrob and face of Canadian hockey has announced his engagement to longtime girlfriend Emily Ruttledge, ending years of speculation about the couple’s future and kicking off a wave of celebratory reactions from teammates, friends, fans, and the media.
From Quiet Romance to Public Declaration
Matthews, known for his powerful wrist shot, smooth skating, and stoic presence on and off the ice, made the announcement via a heartfelt Instagram post shared late Sunday evening. The post featured a candid black-and-white photo of the couple standing on a lakeside dock, with Emily showing off a dazzling engagement ring while Auston held her close. The caption was simple but powerful:
> “My forever teammate. ❤️”
The post amassed over 2.5 million likes within 12 hours, and comments poured in from fellow NHL players, celebrities, and even official team accounts. The Toronto Maple Leafs posted, “From the locker room to the aisle — congrats, Auston and Emily!” Meanwhile, former Leaf and current NHL analyst Patrick Marleau joked, “She finally said yes! Took you long enough, buddy.”
This marks a new chapter for a couple that has largely kept their relationship private — despite dating since Matthews’ early days in Toronto.
Who is Emily Ruttledge?
Though she has intentionally stayed out of the spotlight, Emily Ruttledge is no stranger to the professional world. A graduate of Pepperdine University, where she majored in Communications and Marketing, Emily has built an impressive career of her own. She is currently the senior marketing manager at a Los Angeles-based tech firm, and she’s known among close friends for her philanthropic work, particularly with children’s health initiatives and animal welfare organizations.
According to sources close to the couple, Emily and Auston met in Arizona during Matthews’ off-season training back in 2016. Friends of the couple describe Emily as “the grounding presence Auston needs” and say their connection was immediate — built on shared values, a love for privacy, and an admiration for each other’s work ethic.
“She’s a rock in his life,” said one teammate. “She doesn’t care about the fame. She just loves him for who he is.”
Engagement Details and the Big Question
Multiple sources close to the Matthews family have revealed that Auston proposed during a surprise getaway to Lake Tahoe, one of the couple’s favorite spots. He had arranged a private dinner by the lake with both sets of parents secretly flown in for the occasion. Auston reportedly designed the engagement ring himself, with input from Emily’s sister, choosing a three-stone platinum ring with an oval-cut diamond center — classic, elegant, and timeless, just like Emily’s style.
“It was emotional,” said a family member who witnessed the proposal. “Auston got down on one knee, and you could just see how much this moment meant to both of them. There wasn’t a dry eye around.”
Emily said “yes” immediately, and the family celebrated with a private dinner and a fireworks display Auston had arranged as a surprise finale.
Marriage Arrangements Are Underway… But Where and When?
While neither Auston nor Emily has revealed the exact wedding date, sources confirm that the couple is aiming for a spring 2026 ceremony, after the NHL season ends. The couple is reportedly considering two locations for their wedding: Scottsdale, Arizona, where Auston grew up and where much of his family still resides — or Italy’s Amalfi Coast, a favorite vacation spot for the couple.
Event planners say the wedding is expected to be “intimate, tasteful, and deeply personal,” with an invite list of about 120 close friends and family. Rumors are swirling that the reception will feature live music from one of Auston’s favorite artists — possibly Drake, who is a known friend of the Leafs’ forward and a frequent attendee at Toronto games.
Celebrity chef Matty Matheson, who became a household name on FX’s The Bear, has also been floated as a possible culinary contributor, considering his strong ties to Toronto’s food scene and his friendship with multiple Leafs players.
Teammates React
The news has been met with joy and playful jabs from Auston’s teammates. Captain Morgan Rielly, who himself recently got married to Canadian figure skater Tessa Virtue, posted: “Welcome to the married club! Just wait till you start arguing over the thermostat.”
Goaltender Joseph Woll joked on X (formerly Twitter): “This is going to hurt ticket sales next season. Auston’s officially unavailable — sorry Leafs Nation.”
Even Mitch Marner, Matthews’ longtime linemate and best friend, had his moment: “I guess I’m not his #1 anymore… but I’ll be his best man, so it’s fine.”
Fans React – Joy and Heartbreak
Fans around the world reacted with a mix of celebration and heartbreak. Many congratulated the couple, flooding social media with warm wishes, but some of Auston’s devoted followers — especially in Toronto — expressed tongue-in-cheek dismay.
One fan posted: “I’ve been loyal since his four-goal debut. I demand visitation rights.” Another wrote: “Emily, you’ve broken a million Canadian hearts — but we forgive you. Take good care of our king.”
A viral TikTok video even featured a group of Leafs fans hosting a mock “funeral for single Auston,” complete with sad music, jerseys, and posters.
What’s Next for Matthews — On and Off the Ice
This engagement announcement comes on the heels of one of Auston Matthews’ most dominant seasons yet. The star center scored 62 goals and 45 assists during the 2024–25 NHL regular season and helped lead the Leafs deep into the playoffs. With his contract extending through 2028, the franchise is clearly invested in building the team around its superstar.
Now, with a personal life that seems equally as stable as his on-ice performance, many believe Matthews is entering the most centered and mature phase of his career.
“Auston’s more focused than ever,” said Coach Craig Berube. “He’s become a leader in every sense of the word — and you can tell that has a lot to do with the woman he’s chosen to share his life with.”
A New Era for Toronto’s Favorite Couple
With wedding bells in the near future and the weight of an entire city’s admiration on their shoulders, Auston Matthews and Emily Ruttledge are stepping into a spotlight they’ve long avoided — this time not for a game-winning goal, but for a love story that has captured the hearts of hockey fans everywhere.
From Maple Leaf Gardens to Lake Tahoe sunsets, this is more than just an engagement — it’s a celebration of growth, grace, and a future built together.
Congratulations, Auston and Emily. The puck has dropped on a beautiful new chapter.
—
End of Article
Follow us for more NHL love stories, exclusive interviews, and behind-the-scenes Leafs coverage.
Leave a Reply