Developed in the desert: Phoenix native Matthew Knies earns spot on U.S. Olympic hockey team
Matthew Knies knows how fortunate he is to be one of the few to represent the United States on an Olympic team. But he is even more of an anomaly as he is one of three Arizona-born hockey players in history to hold the honor of playing for the U.S. in the Winter Games.
When Knies suits up for Team USA at the Beijing Olympics, he’ll join a small circle of past Arizonans to make the U.S. Olympic hockey team: Broc Little in 2018 and Lyndsey Fry in 2014.
The 19-year-old has had the benefit of growing up with the burgeoning sport in his home state, developing and evolving his skills with the Phoenix Junior Coyotes club program for his whole youth career, rather than having to move to a different environment before beginning his junior career at age 17 with the Tri-City Storm of the United States Hockey League.
“You look back at Arizona hockey and it wasn’t too much, but now you see all the growth that has come and I think it’s still growing. It’s only gotten better and it’s rapid now," Knies said. "I think everyone is starting to pick up hockey sticks and pick up hockey.
"This opportunity for me to represent Arizona hockey at the Olympics is going to be huge.”
Knies credits the help of past coaches Steve Sullivan, Mike DeAngelis and former Coyotes captain Shane Doan, along with the Arizona Coyotes’ impact on his career. Knies also played alongside current Arizona State freshman Josh Doan during his four seasons with the Jr. Coyotes.
“Having those guys around the rink when I was younger, still developing, and becoming a mature hockey player, I think that was huge for them to be there and support me through it and teach me the game the right way,” Knies said. “A lot of thanks go back to my coaches in Arizona during my youth. I’m truly blessed and fortunate to have all those guys in my corner.”
Known for his ability to combine power and finesse, the 6-foot-3, 210-pound center makes eye-popping plays on the ice. When it came time for figuring out rosters for the 2019 World Junior A Challenge and 2021 World Junior Summer Showcase, his name was hard to leave off the list for Team USA.
The heartbreaking and fleeting time spent at the 2022 World Junior Championship in Canada saw Knies tally one goal in one game before the tournament was cancelled due the spread of the coronavirus and the omicron variant.
As hard as the news hit, it wasn’t the end for Knies and USA Hockey. When the NHL announced it would not send its players to Beijing due to COVID-19 concerns, it gave way to a phone call that would change Knies’ life.
While out at lunch alone, Knies looked down at his phone and saw an unknown number calling.
“I had a pretty exciting phone call asking if I wanted to go. It was a pretty surreal moment and something I’ll never forget,” Knies said.
The call left him stunned because he wasn’t completely sure if he’d be considered for the roster. He had the thought in the back of his mind, but wanted to focus on his ongoing freshman season at the University of Minnesota. But once he received confirmation, he had to call his parents.
“They really couldn’t believe it. They were kind of in awe for a while until it set in with them too. They were extremely happy for me, I could hear their emotions through the phone. They were just really happy that I could get another shot at playing for Team USA and playing for a medal," Knies said. "They were pretty happy for me and it was a pretty surreal moment for me having to tell them.
“It’s a pretty indescribable feeling. I got to do it at the World Juniors for a game and it was pretty special to play for something much bigger than myself,” Knies added. “To play for those colors and to play for a country, it’s pretty surreal and I’m just really thankful that I can get this opportunity again. It’s definitely a wonderful feeling.”
Knies traded in the sunny skies and desert landscape for the traditional, snowy atmosphere when he committed to play at the famed hockey program of Minnesota. The adjustment to the winters almost mirrors his adjustment to the NCAA as he has not run into much trouble with the support of new boots. Much like his time at Minnesota, his teammates have supported him during his freshman season as he’s made a quick impact for the No. 10 Gophers with 23 points in 24 games played.
Although the U.S. team comprises of 15 current NCAA players, eight European pros and two players from the AHL, Knies won’t be completely unfamiliar with his teammates. He will be joined by fellow Minnesota forward Ben Meyers and defenseman Brock Faber. The roster of varied ages and experience levels is also an enticing asset for Knies, who has only competed on the international stage in several junior showcases.
“That’s the most exciting thing for me as a younger player is to pick their brains and get advice from them and be around professional athletes. That’s going to help me a lot in how to live my life, how they eat, how they sleep, just the little things I can pick from them. I think it will be huge for me later in my career,” Knies said.
Knies remains only at the beginning of his NCAA career, but he has a bright future. The Toronto Maple Leafs selected him in the second round (57th overall) of the 2021 NHL draft last summer.
In whatever setting he plays in, he remains proud of his roots.
“I want everyone to know in Arizona hockey that I’m representing them and I want to do it in the best way possible. I’m really fortunate that I came up from Arizona and that I can represent them in this kind of stage,” Knies said.
Olympic first for ASU hockey
Arizona State hockey made history when junior forward Peter Zhong was named to Team China's roster, making him the first ASU player to make an Olympic hockey roster.
Zhong did not appear in any games with ASU this season as he took an Olympic break to focus on his training with Team China.
The 23-year-old, who was born in host city Beijing and raised in Chicago, has represented China on the international stage three times prior to his Olympic selection.
U.S. hockey Olympic preliminaries
Feb. 10: vs. China, USA Network, 6:10 a.m. MT
Feb. 12: vs. Canada, USA Network, 9:10 p.m. MT (Feb. 11)
Feb. 13: vs. Germany, USA Network, 6:10 a.m.
Reach the reporter at jenna.ortiz@arizonarepublic.com or 602-647-4122. Follow her on Twitter @jennarortiz.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix native Matthew Knies earns spot on U.S. Olympic hockey team
