matthew knies

Matthew Knies is a rising star in the world of ice hockey, known for his impressive skills and tenacity on the ice
1
. Born on October 17, 2002, in Phoenix, Arizona, Knies has quickly made a name for himself as a forward for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the National Hockey League (NHL)
2
. Standing at 6 feet 3 inches and weighing 217 pounds, his physical presence is hard to miss
2
.
Knies began his hockey journey playing for the Tri-City Storm in the United States Hockey League (USHL), where he recorded 31 goals and 56 assists in 90 games
2
. His talent caught the attention of the Toronto Maple Leafs, who drafted him 57th overall in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft
2
. He then went on to play college hockey for the Minnesota Golden Gophers, where he continued to shine
2
.
During his freshman season, Knies ranked third on the team with 10 goals and 17 assists in 29 games
2
. He was a unanimous pick for the Big Ten All-Freshman Team and was named a finalist for Big Ten Freshman of the Year
2
. His sophomore season was even more successful, as he scored 21 goals and 21 assists in 40 games, winning the Big Ten Player of the Year award and being named a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award
2
.
Knies made his NHL debut on April 10, 2023, and quickly made an impact
2
. He scored his first career NHL goal against Sergei Bobrovsky of the Florida Panthers and had a primary assist on John Tavares’ series-clinching goal in the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs
2
. His performance has continued to impress, and he has become a key player for the Maple Leafs, known for his physicality and ability to drive to the net
3
.
Off the ice, Knies is known for his dedication and work ethic
3
. He has a strong connection to his Slovak heritage, as his parents are Slovak immigrants, and he even conducts interviews in Slovak
4
. His commitment to improving his game and his willingness to learn have made him a fan favorite in Toronto.
As Knies continues to develop his skills and gain confidence, the sky is the limit for this young player
4
. With his combination of size, skill, and determination, he has the potential to become one of the NHL’s top power forwards.
For more information on Matthew Knies,