Matthew Knies' jersey number for the Leafs revealed
Less than 24 hours ago, top Leafs prospect Matthew Knies was competing for an NCAA Title. Unfortunately, he and the University of Minnesota came up just short, losing to Quinnipac University 10 seconds into OT. However, on Sunday, that disappointment was quelled when he signed his entry-level contract, officially turning pro.
Knies signed his ELC Sunday afternoon and hopped on a flight to Florida to meet up with the team ahead of Monday and Tuesday's back-to-back against the Panthers and Lightning. It's still too soon to say for sure that he'll be playing tomorrow, but we do know what his jersey number will be when he does play.
In the past, Knies has worn number 19, 67 and 89, during his time in the USHL with Tri-City, the NCAA with the University of Minnesota and with the US Men's Olympic Team. He also wore the number 23 during last summer's rookie camp. With #89 already taken by Nick Robertson, it appears as though Knies will wear that same #23 to begin his NHL career.
The number 23 was last worn by defenseman Travis Dermott from 2018-2022. There have been a total of 35 players in Maple Leafs history who have worn #23, including the great Eddie Shack, Pat Quinn, Randy Carlyle and Todd Gill.
