The Toronto Maple Leafs are set to return to action on Wednesday with an away game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, following their Olympic hiatus. Their captain, Auston Matthews, is expected back after securing the gold medal with Team USA, a triumph that has energized his teammates. Fellow American and Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies expressed eagerness to welcome Matthews back to the team after this notable achievement.
Knies’ Enthusiastic Welcome for Matthews
Matthew Knies revealed his excitement about reuniting with Auston Matthews, saying he plans to give him a big hug and congratulate him in person. Knies admitted some uncertainty about how the Canadian players might react to the celebration but emphasized the collective happiness on the team for Matthews’ success.
“I’m going to give him a big hug and congratulate him, I don’t know if the Canadian guys will do the same, but we’re all so happy for him. It’s so cool, and it’s so fun to watch.” – Matthew Knies, Maple Leafs Forward
Knies also mentioned he has yet to contact Matthews, preferring to wait for his return before personally congratulating him.
Teammates’ Support and Olympic Context
While the Maple Leafs had no representatives on Team Canada during the Olympics, two of Matthews’ NHL teammates, Oliver Ekman-Larsson and William Nylander, competed for Team Sweden, which fell to the USA in the quarterfinals. Following Sweden’s elimination, Nylander shared that his support shifted to Matthews, rooting for him to succeed.
Knies, despite being a promising forward, was not selected for Team USA’s Milan Olympic roster this year. At just 23 and with 14 goals in the current season, he remains a rising presence in the NHL. Notably, Knies and Matthews are among the few NHL players hailing from Arizona, alongside Tage Thompson, another Olympian.
Looking Ahead for Knies and Team USA
As Knies continues developing his career, he is considered a key figure for Team USA’s defense of their title at the 2028 World Cup of Hockey. His relationship with Matthews as teammates on the Maple Leafs and his increasing goal tally—29 goals last season at age 22—positions him as a promising talent to watch in upcoming international and NHL competitions.
The Maple Leafs’ rescheduled game against the Lightning will mark a fresh chapter as the team aims to build momentum with Matthews back in the lineup.
Matthew Knies admitted he can’t wait to give Auston Matthews a big hug when he sees him but doesn’t know if the Canadian players will feel the same 😭
“I’m going to give him a big hug and congratulate him when I see him… we’re all so happy for him. It’s so cool, and it was so… pic.twitter.com/Ca31QPSUHj
— Leafslatest (@Leafslatest) February 24, 2026
