Is Matthew Knies Slovak? Exploring ethnic roots of Leafs' newest signing

Matthew Knies, the newest signing for the Toronto Maple Leafs, has been making waves in the ice hockey world with his impressive skills and potential.

Matthew Knies was born to parents of Slovakian descent, Miroslav and Michaela Knies, who immigrated to the United States before his birth. They have instilled a love for Slovakian traditions and culture in their family, and Matthew is fluent in the Slovak language. He uses it to communicate with his grandparents, who still live in Slovakia.

Matthew's father, Miroslav, is also a skilled ice hockey player himself and has been coaching his son since he was young. It's no surprise that ice hockey runs in the family, and Matthew's love for the sport started when he lived in Arizona and became a fan of the Arizona Coyotes. He played for the Arizona Bobcats before moving on to play in the USHL and now, the NCAA.

With his Slovakian heritage and background in ice hockey, Matthew Knies brings a unique perspective to the Toronto Maple Leafs organization. His skills and potential have already caught the attention of fans. It will be exciting to see how he develops as a player in the NHL.

Elliotte Friedman believed Matthew Knies 'will not make high-end impact yet'

Matthew Knies

Matthew Knies has been creating a buzz in the Toronto Maple Leafs organization since he was drafted 57th overall in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see what this young power forward can bring to the ice.

However, according to Elliotte Friedman, Knies may not make a high impact in the NHL just yet. During an interview with Joshua Kloke from The Athletic on the FAN590, Friedman shared his thoughts on Knies and his potential impact on the Leafs.

"He's ready to play, but maybe not make a high-end impact just yet"

While Matthew Knies has shown incredible skill and size on the ice, he still has some gaps in his game that need improvement. Kloke cautioned fans against setting unrealistic expectations for Knies and assuming he will immediately be an impactful player.

"There are serious gaps in his game, right? Like his skating is a work in progress, particularly his lateral skating."

Despite these gaps in his game, Knies has shown remarkable self-awareness and a willingness to continue developing. Kloke said:

"He's a remarkably self-aware kid."

Knies has the potential to become a difference-maker in the NHL with more time and development.