Maple Leafs ink Hobey Baker finalist Knies to 3-year, entry-level deal

The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed top prospect Matthew Knies to a three-year, entry-level contract, the club announced Sunday. The pact will begin this season at an average annual value of $925,000.

Knies was one of three finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, which the NCAA bestows annually to its top men's hockey player. He was also named Big Ten Player of the Year for his efforts this season.

The 20-year-old winger produced 21 goals and 21 assists in 40 games with the University of Minnesota in 2022-23. He helped the Golden Gophers reach the national championship game, which they lost to Quinnipiac on Saturday.

Knies built on a strong 2021-22 freshman campaign in which he collected a point per game, posting 15 goals and 18 assists across 33 contests.

Last year, the Phoenix-born forward represented the United States at both the Olympics and the World Junior Championship.

Toronto drafted Knies 57th overall in 2021.