Toronto Maple Leafs rookie Matthew Knies wasted no time finding his footing in the pros when he joined the team just ahead of its playoff run last spring.
But navigating the city itself? That’s still a work in progress. In the latest episode of the team’s web series, The Leaf: Blueprint, Knies gives fans a glimpse of his life in Toronto — including a short tour of his new condo, his (app-aided) commute to the rink, and a look into his fitness routine at the practice facility.
“Everyone’s been super welcoming,” Knies, 21, said of his time with the Maple Leafs so far. “It’s a pretty close group, so it wasn’t really hard to kind of fit in that way. I think they kind of all took me under their wing.”
That much is especially true when it comes to his captain, John Tavares. Up until this month, he’d been living with Tavares and his wife, Aryne, and the couple’s three young children.
“I can’t thank him enough,” Knies said of the experience of living with and learning from No. 91. “It’s such a wonderful family. I love those kids. I loved my time there.”
He added that he’s still got some clothes and other belongings at the Tavares’ house — “Just so I have an excuse to go back there and get another meal or just to go see them,” he said.
The Arizona native and former Jr. Coyote was selected in the second round of the 2021 draft and his NHL arrival had been highly anticipated from the start. He played two seasons with the University of Minnesota before jumping to the pros last April, where he contributed one point in three regular season games followed by a one-goal, four-point effort in seven post-season matchups.
“He’s one of the most diligent athletes that we have on the team right now,” said Maple Leafs head strength and conditioning coach Louis Rojas. Rojas has been working closely with Knies to help the winger get the most out of his rookie year, and he’s been impressed with what he’s seen.
“He comes in, he preps, he does his mobility, he lifts, he asks questions — which I think is important, as well. We’re always constantly working on little things, on little details,” he said. “I think he’s doing what he needs to do to grow not only as a person but an athlete as well.”
Through 45 games so far this season, Knies has eight goals and 17 points and is expected to grow into a larger role with the club in short order.
“For me, personally, I think I’ve contributed and played well. It’s been a challenge for me, but I’m always excited to get to the rink and just compete and try to get better,” he said. “It’s been a fun year so far and I’m just really excited to see what we can do in the second half.”
