Matthew Knies

Matthew Knies (born October 17, 2002) is an American ice hockey forward for the University of Minnesota of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Knies was drafted 57th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

Matthew Knies
Born (2002-10-17) October 17, 2002
Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight 234 lb (106 kg; 16 st 10 lb)
Position Forward
Shoots Left
NCAA team Minnesota
National team  United States
NHL Draft 57th overall, 2021
Toronto Maple Leafs
Playing career TBD–present

Playing career

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. He began his collegiate career for Minnesota during the 2021–22 season.[1] 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.[2]

Knies was drafted in the second round, 57th overall, by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.[3]

International play

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.[4][5]

On January 13, 2022, Knies was named to Team USA's roster to represent the United States at the 2022 Winter Olympics.[6]

Personal life

Knies has an older brother, Phillip, who played hockey at 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.[7][8][9]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2018–19 Tri-City Storm USHL 2 0 0 0 0 — — — — —
2019–20 Tri-City Storm USHL 44 14 31 45 12 — — — — —
2020–21 Tri-City Storm USHL 44 17 25 42 24 3 1 3 4 0
2021–22 University of Minnesota B1G 33 15 18 33 31 — — — — —
NCAA totals 33 15 18 33 31 — — — — —

International
Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2022 United States OG 5th 4 1 1 2 2
2022 United States WJC 5th 5 0 3 3 0
Junior totals 5 0 3 3 0
Senior totals 4 1 1 2 2

Awards and honours
Award Year
College
Big Ten Player of the Year 2023 [10]
All-Big Ten First Team 2023
All-Big Ten Freshman Team 2022 [11]
All-Big Ten Second Team 2022
AHCA West First Team All-American 2023 [12]

References
  1. "Matthew Knies Bio". gophersports.com. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
  2. "Meyers, Faber, Motzko Lead 'U' Big Ten Honorees". gophersports.com. March 15, 2022. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  3. Kloke, Joshua (February 11, 2022). "Olympics could be a springboard to pro hockey for Maple Leafs prospect Matthew Knies". The Athletic. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
  4. "Gophers Trio Named to U.S. WJC Roster". gophersports.com. December 14, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
  5. Steiss, Adam (December 29, 2021). "World Juniors cancelled". IIHF.com. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
  6. "2022 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team Unveiled". teamusa.com. January 13, 2022. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
  7. Tribune, Megan Ryan Star. "Big body, big start: Freshman Matthew Knies making impact on Gophers hockey right away". Star Tribune. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  8. Robinson, Tom (March 4, 2020). "Following His Brother's Footsteps, Matthew Knies Is Also Thriving From Phoenix to the USHL". USA Hockey. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  9. "Phil Knies at eliteprospects.com". www.eliteprospects.com. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  10. "Big Ten Hockey Postseason Honors Announced". BigTen.org. Big Ten Conference. March 14, 2023. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  11. "Hockey Postseason Honors Announced". Big Ten. March 15, 2022. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  12. "2022-23 Men's CCM Hockey Division I All-Americans". ahcahockey.com. April 7, 2023. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
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