Feature photo: Getty Images
Matthew Knies enjoys a hobby that strikes all the right chords.
The Toronto Maple Leafs forward will be the first to admit that his guitar skills are far from polished.
That said, the 22-year-old Knies derives a great deal of enjoyment every time he picks up the instrument.
“I started around two years ago. It’s going along pretty slowly,” Knies told NHLPA.com.
Even so, it has become an ideal way for the Arizona-born Knies to get away from the pressures that come with an 82-game regular season and quest for playoff success.
“It’s good to have a little bit of escape. It’s easy – there isn’t a lot of physical exertion. I like sitting there and learning some new techniques, just enjoying being in that moment.”
A devoted fan of the country music genre, Knies, when he isn’t listening to the playlists he has created, tries his hand at replicating those songs on his guitar.
His list of favourite performers includes some of the biggest names in country music.
“I love Luke Combs – I play his songs the most. I also play a little bit of Zach Bryan and Sam Barber is a new guy that I listen to – his music is very good. There is also Morgan Wallen and Tim McGraw – another two guys whose music I like a lot.
“Sometimes, I’ll listen to old country, but mostly, I like pop country.”
Knies is blunt in assessment of his singing voice.
“It’s horrible – that’s all I can say.”
The second round pick of the Maple Leafs in 2021 hasn’t shared his musical preferences in the Maple Leafs dressing room yet.
Team DJ duties fall to Mitch Marner, who was recently brought up on stage with teammate Joseph Woll to belt out a few lines of Norwegian DJ Kygo’s hit song “Stargazing” at a recent concert that took place at Scotiabank Arena.
“I feel like I haven’t been here long enough to have that [DJ] responsibility,” said Knies. “Usually, Mitchy is running the iPod, but he does listen to some of the stuff I do, so it’s all good.”
Marner also made the cut when it came to Knies’ selection for teammate bandmates, should the opportunity to collaborate ever arise.
“I have to throw Woller [Joseph Woll] in there. He plays piano and he loves music. I’d have him somewhere for sure. Mitchy, he has the highest-pitched voice on the team, so I think he’d be a good singer. I’d have Connor Dewar on guitar and Morgan Rielly on the other guitar[NV1] .”
Added Knies, “I think it’s a good-looking group too.”
Outside of his guitar hobby, Knies, who played for Team USA at Beijing 2022 and two seasons at the University of Minnesota, where he earned a nod as a finalist for the 2023 Hobey Baker Award, has hit all the right notes during the 2024-25 NHL season.
The young forward has already established an NHL career best 19 goals just past the mid-way mark, and on Jan. 20, Knies had a pair of goals, including the game-winning tally, and an assist in a 5-3 home win against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
What has he learned about himself as a player?
“That’s a good one. I think I have learned that the cute stuff isn’t going to get it done for me. I had to get back to what was working, which is a simple, hard-working game, where driving to the net and playing physical, getting takeaways – once I found that rhythm again, it has really helped me.
“I noticed that is when I am having the most success.”
And having it with a tight-knit group, one who found its harmony before the puck dropped on the season.
“There is great chemistry in our room, a very good attitude and commitment to push one another forward. The newer guys who have stepped in, you feel comfortable with them right away and I don’t know if that happens in too many places.
“Everyone respects one another, embraces the role they have – it’s a fun room.”
