Matthew Knies gets honest about the disappointment of missing out on the Olympics
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies has a candid response to missing the United States Olympics ice hockey roster.
Matthew Knies has spoken out after he was omitted from the USA's Olympic Roster and his feelings regarding the decision.
Matthew Knies was not among the 25 players named to the United States Roster for the 2026 Olympics in Milan to represent the country's hockey team.
In the first Olympics to include NHLers since 2014, Knies was not included on the U.S. Roster, with 36 points in 37 games this season for the Leafs.
Knies was not the only snub for the Americans on the roster. Leading USA point scorer Jason Robertson, the brother of Leafs forward Nick, was not included on the roster, as was Rangers star defenseman Adam Fox.
Matthew Knies gets open about USA snub, admits disappointment
Matthew Knies spoke about the decision by team USA not to include him on the Olympics roster, but promises that he will be cheering for his home country despite not making the roster.
I was pretty disappointed to not be on the team. I mean, they picked a good squad. All those guys that they picked deserve to be there. I guess I'm going to have to be cheering from afar now. - Matthew Knies (via The Hockey News)
Knies will have something to cheer for with team USA, as fellow Leaf Auston Matthews will captain the Americans, having been one of the first six players named to the roster ahead of the final roster selection.
Knies will miss out on the Olympics for 2026, but the 23-year-old could be a strong candidate for a potential spot on the American roster for 2030 with Knies blossoming into one of the NHL's top young wingers.
There's already bragging rights for Knies, who was an Olympian in 2022 while non-NHLers were not participating in the Olympics, having two points in four games for Team USA.
The Leafs will still be represented with Matthews on the American roster, along with William Nylander and Oliver Ekman-Larsson for Sweden.
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JANVIER 3 | 1064 ANSWERS Matthew Knies gets honest about the disappointment of missing out on the Olympics Should Matthew Knies have made Team USA? | ||
| Yes | 770 | 72.4 % |
| No | 294 | 27.6 % |
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