Matthew Knies

Matthew Knies (/naɪz/ NYZE; born October 17, 2002) is an American professional ice hockey forward for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). Knies was drafted 57th overall by the Maple Leafs in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

Junior

Knies played two full seasons for the Tri-City Storm of the United States Hockey League (USHL), where he recorded 31 goals and 56 assists in 90 games. Knies was drafted in the second round, 57th overall, by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

College

Beginning his collegiate career, Knies first played for the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the 2021–22 season. During his freshman season, he ranked tied for third on the team, and first among freshman, with 10 goals and 17 assists for 27 points in 29 games. Following an outstanding season, he was a unanimous pick for the Big Ten All-Freshman Team, and was named a finalist for Big Ten Freshman of the Year.

The 2022–23 season saw further success for Knies, notably playing on a top line with fellow NHL prospects Logan Cooley and Jimmy Snuggerud that was considered one of the best in college ice hockey. He scored 21 goals and 21 assists in 40 games. He won the Big Ten Player of the Year award, and was named a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award as the top player in American college ice hockey, with Cooley also one of the three. The Golden Gophers reached the national championship game at the 2023 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament, but ultimately were defeated by the Quinnipiac Bobcats in overtime. Following the tournament, he decided to conclude his collegiate career, finishing with 36 goals and 39 assists in 73 career games.

Professional

On April 9, 2023, Knies signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Maple Leafs. Upon his arrival in Toronto, he was hosted by team captain John Tavares at his house. Knies made his NHL debut on April 10, in a road game against the Florida Panthers. After playing in the final three games of the regular season, Knies continued with the team into the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs. He notably had a primary assist on Tavares' series-clinching goal in Game 6 that saw the Maple Leafs win their first playoff series since 2004. The Maple Leafs faced the Panthers in the second round, and Knies scored his first career NHL goal against Sergei Bobrovsky in the opening game of the series on May 2. He exited Game 2 after being concussed by Panthers forward Sam Bennett, and it was subsequently announced that he would miss at least the next two games.

Knies achieved a Gordie Howe hat trick in a 7–0 home win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on December 16, 2023. He opened the scoring and fought John Ludvig within the match's first five minutes and assisted on a Max Domi goal in the second period.

Knies represented the United States at the 2022 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, where he appeared in one game before the tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On January 13, 2022, Knies was named to the United States national team's roster to represent the United States at the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Knies has an older brother, Phillip, who played for Miami University and Bentley University. They are the sons of Miroslav and Michaela Knies, who immigrated to the United States from Slovakia before Matthew's birth. Knies is fluent in Slovak, which he uses to speak to his grandparents. Growing up in Arizona, Knies was a fan of the Arizona Coyotes.

Regular season and playoffs

International