Maple Leafs Captain John Tavares Opens Home to Rookie Matthew Knies During Playoff Run
Having joined the team last week, Matthews Knies hasn’t seen a lot of Toronto. Captain John Tavares has made the transition simpler for the rookie by inviting Knies to crash at his house.
Maple Leafs Captain John Tavares Opens Home to Rookie Matthew Knies During Playoff RunIt’s been a whirlwind week for Toronto Maple Leafs rookie forward Matthew Knies.
After completing his NCAA season with the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers just eight days ago, Knies signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Leafs and joined the club on Monday to play in his first NHL game.
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But Knies has yet to play a game at Scotiabank Arena and didn't get to Toronto shortly after the team's regular-season finale against the New York Rangers. That's when captain John Tavares offered to have Knies stay at his place.
"I was excited. I really didn’t want to be stuck in a hotel kind of in my own bubble there," Knies said. "I’m happy that he kind of opened up and welcomed me. I’ve enjoyed it. It’s definitely made me feel more comfortable in Toronto. Just really happy and fortunate that he did that."
Knies said that several players made a similar offer but the captain was the first one to offer his place. He's been staying in Tavares' basement which has his own private area.
"He’s been really welcoming. I’m just really happy I can be around someone that’s had a ton of NHL experience and someone I can learn from and take notes.”
The 20-year-old Knies has adjusted to some of the things you might expect from the 32-year-old Tavares who is a creature of habit. The captain is usually up around 6:15 to be with his kids and is one of the earliest to get to the practice rink.
Knies has been riding along to and from the rink but is looking into getting his own car for some of the rides, mostly because the rookie is usually one of the last players to leave the ice following practice.
Typically players who join the Maple Leafs mid-season have a nearby hotel to stay in and while that was an option, it would have been pretty isolating for the player who joined the club so late.
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