Photo Credit: Eliteprospects
If Flyers’ General Manager Chuck Fletcher looks to be shoring up the offensive side of the puck, Matthew Knies would be a great selection to do such. He is one of the smoothest skaters in the draft, and he might catch the eye of Fletcher in the second round. Knies has committed to the University of Minnesota and might line up with Tristan Broz and Chaz Lucius. He stands at 6’3 and weighs 205 pounds, and can transition with the best of them, “It was different to start the season with Covid and games getting cancelled,” Knies said to me on Monday. “I had a concussion so I was out as well. I didn’t get to play in the beginning of the season, but as the season wore on we (Tri-City Storm) played well. We started to play playoff hockey towards the end of the season. Come playoff time it didn’t go our way, but we could call it a successful season for me personally and the team.”
Knies was born in Phoenix, Arizona, but holds a dual citizenship for the USA and Slovakia. His parents and older brother Phil hail from Slovakia, but they moved to Arizona before Matthew was born. Matthew started playing hockey at a young age, and boy can he skate and shoot. He flies through the neutral zone as he picks up steam, and blows by defenders to unleash a nasty wrist shot on the opposing netminder, “It’s exciting to be in the conversation for the draft,” Knies said. Obviously, I’m super stoked, but there is a lot of work to do as well.”
This 18-year old, young prospect knew the importance of just having fun, and letting the game come to him. Moreover, he worked very hard in the off-season, and was able to improve his game tremendously for the 2019-20 season. Knies is a speedster, is physical, and transitions like the breeze of the wind. He’s a good Penalty Killer, and has great vision of the ice. The USHL program has grown a lot over the years and Knies speaks about that, “It’s been growing every year,” Knies says. “Some great draft picks this past year. It’s great for all our young players you have to mature quick. It’s only going to get better.”
This young prospect from Phoenix really opened some eyes, and showcased his skills as he’s on the cusp of fulfilling his dream of getting drafted into the NHL. Knies finished the interview saying he knows Wade Allison (Not personally). The two stayed at the same boathouse. Whatever the case maybe, Fletcher may have eyes on him today at the draft as he is slated to be a second or third round selection. He has size and that is something the Flyers need right now.
