Team USA Adds Another Maple Leaf to Join Auston Matthews at 2026 Olympics
![Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Auston Matthews (34) plays the puck against Team Finland in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/i/photo/588785.webp "Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Auston Matthews (34) plays the puck against Team Finland in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images")
Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
Team USA announced their Olympic Orientation roster on Tuesday, and alongside Auston Matthews, another Maple Leaf makes an appearance: Matthew Knies.
While we know Team Canada's roster invites for the 2026 Olympics; a group that is no doubt an incredible cast, however has gotten a bit of flak from certain players after not being included.
Dramatics aside, the 2026 Olympic Games are going to be exciting, especially regarding the Men's Ice Hockey portion, given the NHL is now bringing players back into the fold and it'll allow for some star-studded matchups.
One team expected to make a run for the gold medal is Team USA, and with a roster chock full of superstars, it's going to be tough for a lot of teams to keep pace. Already announcing their first six official members, the team announced the rest of the invites on Tuesday.
Olympic Spotlight Brings Extra Attention To Toronto's Core Players
Among those names are two representatives from the Maple Leafs: Auston Matthews (who was already selected) and newcomer Matthew Knies.
It's a huge accomplishment for Knies, who seemingly grabbed the reigns and ran with them last year. Impressing GM Bill Guerin, he earned himself a shot to make the roster come February.
Knies, 23, had 58 points in 78 games for the Maple Leafs last season (29 goals, 29 assists) but also added 182 hits; only one of three players to have 25+ goals and 150+ hits.
Making the team is a massive goal for the young forward, and he explained how important it would be to make the team and knows that if he can get off to a strong start, he's got a shot:
It's gonna be challenging, but I think if I have a strong start to the season, I can show what I can do and hopefully earn my way onto that team.
But if he gets a chance to play, there's a great opportunity for him to gain a ton of extra exposure on the international stage, and can firmly cement himself as a mainstay for years to come.
Maple Leafs Stars Build Chemistry On The International Stage
It also might behoove Guerin to end up giving Knies a shot, considering how good the two are together and already have a decent bit of chemistry from playing on the top line the last two seasons.
But the pressure of being on an international stage should hopefully boost their production and motivation to do well, which can only lead to them working harder to find each other on the ice, and therefore some more offensive chances together.
How about once the Olympics ends? If they can put a strong showing together in Italy, it can only make their alliance in the regular season for the Maple Leafs even stronger, which in turn should lead to a spike in goals after the break.
Matthew Knies needs to start the season all gas, no brakes. If he can do that, then not only will he end up making Team USA, but end up being the offensive replacement Toronto's been searching for all summer.
