NHL Future Watch: Matthew Knies Hockey Cards, Toronto Maple Leafs – Matthew Knies was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs with the 57th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. This sizeable left-wing grew up in the Phoenix area just like Auston Matthews. Knies could end up on a line with Matthews someday.
Knies played his first full season for the Tri-City Storm in 2019-20. In 44 games, he had 14 goals and 31 helpers. His solid season got him named to the USHL All-Rookie Team.
In 2020-21, he was already wearing the “A” with the Storm. He put up his best goal output of his short career. He had 17 goals and 25 assists in 44 games. Knies added four points in three playoff games.
In 2021-22, Knies played for the University of Minnesota. In 33 games, he had 15 goals and 18 assists. That’s a heck of a rookie season. His team was the Regular Season Champion, and he was named to the NCAA All B1G Rookie Team. During that season, he played in the World Juniors getting three points in five games. At season’s end, he represented Team USA in the World Championships as well.
In 2022-23, he was back in Minnesota. Knies had 21 goals and 21 assists. Then he had to make a decision. He signed with the Leafs and got into three regular season games with no points. But after getting his feet wet, the Leafs put him on the playoff roster, and he had four points in seven games. It was a heck of a season, and he received a lot of NCAA accolades. Those included NCAA West First-Team All-American, NCAA B1G Player of the Year, and Hobey Baker Finalist. What a year.
When the 2023-24 season rolled around, Knies was ready to be a regular. He had a solid preseason guaranteeing himself a spot on the opening night roster. The Leafs are a Stanley Cup contender, and now this 20-year-old is expected to be a contributor. That’s a great reason why everybody should be collecting him now.
NHL Future Watch: Matthew Knies Cards Worth Collecting
One card to get is Knies’s 2023-24 Upper Deck MVP Rookie. He’s in his Leafs whites in a nice action shot.
Another nice card is his 2023-24 Upper Deck MVP Silver Script. Those are always highly collectible.
For now, the only other card to get is the gold version of his MVP Rookie. He will soon be in every new set going forward.
NHL Future Watch: Matthew Knies Hockey Cards, Toronto Maple Leafs – Stats
Statistical image generated on Sports Reference 10/18/2023.
NHL Future Watch: Matthew Knies Hockey Cards, Toronto Maple Leafs – More Resources
NHL Future Watch: Matthew Knies Hockey Cards, Toronto Maple Leafs – Image Gallery
GoGTS.net is happy to feature the thoughts of our contributors. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of GTS Distribution.
For more from Russ Cohen, follow him on Twitter @sportsology.
Russ Cohen is the author of several top-selling sports related books.
Baseball’s Best Rookies
Numbers Don’t Lie: Mets: The Biggest Numbers in Mets History
100 Ranger Greats: Superstars, Unsung Heroes and Colorful Characters
100 Things Rangers Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die
“Strike Three!” – A Player’s Journey through the Infamous Baseball Strike of 1994
The Winter Classic: The NHL’s Savior
The Philadelphia Flyers: Images of Sports
Pioneers of Baseball
- NFL Future Watch: Zach Charbonnet Football Cards, Seattle Seahawks - April 25, 2024
- NHL Future Watch: Sean Farrell Hockey Cards, Montreal Canadiens - April 23, 2024
- MLB Future Watch: Zach Neto Baseball Cards, LA Angels - April 19, 2024