Matthew Knies was born on October 17, 2002, in Phoenix, Arizona. His brother, Phil Knies, played five years of NCAA hockey at the University of Miami and Bentley University. Matthew played four seasons in the Phoenix Junior Coyotes system and finished with 24 goals and 13 assists during the 2018-19 season on the 16U team.
Knies played two seasons with the Tri-City Storm of the United States Hockey League and totaled 31 goals and 56 assists in 88 games. Knies was an assistant captain during his second season. The left-shot forward committed to the University of Minnesota and played two seasons from 2021-2023, where he tallied 36 goals and 39 assists and was a plus-46 in 73 games.
Matthew Knies Stats & Salary Cap
Toronto Maple Leafs Draft Matthew Knies in the Second Round of the 2021 NHL Draft
The Maple Leafs made Knies their second-round selection at 57th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft. The Elite Prospects 2021 NHL Draft Guide had Knies as a player who “establishes body positioning and drives his value in every dimension of the game. He tries to be first on every puck at all costs, getting his leg in front of his opponent, then coming across their body with his hips to seal off the defender. Some off-puck awareness makes Knies a bit of a scoring threat, hunting space after passing.” Knies signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Leafs on April 9, 2023 for $2.775 million.
Matthew Knies’ NHL Debut to Today
Knies made his NHL debut on April 10, 2023, against the Florida Panthers and played 13:09 over 18 shifts and collected one hit and one blocked shot. He scored his first NHL goal on May 2, 2023, against the Panthers in game one of the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Knies already has a career-high in goals during the 2024-25 season and will be a restricted free agent at season’s end.
Season 4. Episode 31. The Draft Lottery – Bruins Benders Podcast
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