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Knies, Broz Selected Back-to-Back in Second Round
7/24/2021 1:29:00 PM | Men's Hockey
Get to Know: Matthew KniesGet to Know: Tristan BrozWhat They Are Saying About Matthew KniesWhat They Are Saying About Tristan BrozGopher Hockey Ticket Info
Minnesota now boasts an NCAA-best 222 all-time NHL draft selections.
MINNEAPOLIS – Matthew Knies and Tristan Broz of the Gopher Hockey program were selected with consecutive picks in the second round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft on Saturday as the Toronto Maple Leafs took Knies with the 57th overall pick while the Pittsburgh Penguins drafted Broz immediately after at 58th overall.
Gopher Hockey concluded the 2021 NHL Entry Draft with an NCAA-best 221 all-time selections with Knies and Broz joining Chaz Lucius, who was selected in the first round (18th overall) by the Winnipeg Jets on Friday night. Minnesota's NHL Entry Draft records pertain only to current and former players and signed prospects, unsigned prospects are not included per NCAA rules.
Saturday's back-to-back selections marked the seventh time in Maroon & Gold history that Gophers were selected with consecutive picks. Knies is the fourth 'U' prospect to be drafted by Toronto and the highest drack pick among those selections. Broz is the second highest Gophers draft pick (and 14th overall) by Pittsburgh after Russ Anderson (1975 second round, 31st overall).
Knies, Broz and Lucius – along with 2020-21 Big Ten All-Freshman Team defenseman Brock Faber – are currently competing at the 2021 World Junior Summer Showcase.
A native of Phoenix, Ariz., Knies joins the Gophers after spending the last two seasons with the Tri-City Storm in the USHL. A 2019-20 USHL All-Rookie Team selection, the forward has also competed with the U.S. Junior Select Team, earning a bronze medal at the 2019 World Junior A Challenge. He previously played with the Phoenix Junior Coyotes.
"I couldn't be more excited. It was obviously a dream come true – getting drafted (by Toronto)," Knies said. "I'm just really pumped for what's going to come."
"Matthew Knies brings size, skill and grit -- everything you want in today's game," Minnesota Head Coach Bob Motzko said. "He is going to become a leader and one of the most feared players around the Big Ten because there's nothing he can't do."
A native of Bloomington, Minn., Broz skated in two full USHL seasons with the Fargo Force and led the organization to the Clark Cup Final in 2021 as an alternate captain. A 2019-20 USHL All-Rookie Team honoree, the forward concluded his junior career by leading Fargo in points, goals and assists during the 2020-21 campaign. He previously played as a prep at the Blake School.
"It's been such a whirlwind of emotions the entire day. I'm just really thankful to the Penguins organization for drafting me," Broz said. "It's pretty funny, actually. I truly have, since I was a little kid, been a big Penguins fan. I loved Crosby when I was younger, so it kind of feels full circle to be drafted by them. I'm just super excited and really thankful."
"Tristan Broz is one of most gifted players in the draft," Motzko said. "He has excellent skills and will bring the crowds to their feet with his ability to make plays. While playing in the USHL, he learned to compete at a high level and bring grit to his game that will make him a complete player."
With the selections of Lucius, Knies and Broz this weekend, Minnesota's incoming class of freshmen for the 2021-22 season now boasts five NHL draft picks. Aaron Huglen (2019, Buffalo Sabres, fourth round, 102nd overall) and Rhett Pitlick (2019, Montreal Canadiens, fifth round, 131st overall) are also slated to join the defending Big Ten tournament champions.
Season tickets for the 101st season of Gopher men's hockey are now on sale at GopherSports.com. Season ticket holders have exclusive access to the Gopher Loyalty Program, providing access to over 100 experiences and benefits, along with discounted regular-season and Big Ten tournament tickets, merchandise discounts and more.
Gopher Hockey concluded the 2021 NHL Entry Draft with an NCAA-best 221 all-time selections with Knies and Broz joining Chaz Lucius, who was selected in the first round (18th overall) by the Winnipeg Jets on Friday night. Minnesota's NHL Entry Draft records pertain only to current and former players and signed prospects, unsigned prospects are not included per NCAA rules.
Saturday's back-to-back selections marked the seventh time in Maroon & Gold history that Gophers were selected with consecutive picks. Knies is the fourth 'U' prospect to be drafted by Toronto and the highest drack pick among those selections. Broz is the second highest Gophers draft pick (and 14th overall) by Pittsburgh after Russ Anderson (1975 second round, 31st overall).
Knies, Broz and Lucius – along with 2020-21 Big Ten All-Freshman Team defenseman Brock Faber – are currently competing at the 2021 World Junior Summer Showcase.
A native of Phoenix, Ariz., Knies joins the Gophers after spending the last two seasons with the Tri-City Storm in the USHL. A 2019-20 USHL All-Rookie Team selection, the forward has also competed with the U.S. Junior Select Team, earning a bronze medal at the 2019 World Junior A Challenge. He previously played with the Phoenix Junior Coyotes.
"I couldn't be more excited. It was obviously a dream come true – getting drafted (by Toronto)," Knies said. "I'm just really pumped for what's going to come."
"Matthew Knies brings size, skill and grit -- everything you want in today's game," Minnesota Head Coach Bob Motzko said. "He is going to become a leader and one of the most feared players around the Big Ten because there's nothing he can't do."
A native of Bloomington, Minn., Broz skated in two full USHL seasons with the Fargo Force and led the organization to the Clark Cup Final in 2021 as an alternate captain. A 2019-20 USHL All-Rookie Team honoree, the forward concluded his junior career by leading Fargo in points, goals and assists during the 2020-21 campaign. He previously played as a prep at the Blake School.
"It's been such a whirlwind of emotions the entire day. I'm just really thankful to the Penguins organization for drafting me," Broz said. "It's pretty funny, actually. I truly have, since I was a little kid, been a big Penguins fan. I loved Crosby when I was younger, so it kind of feels full circle to be drafted by them. I'm just super excited and really thankful."
"Tristan Broz is one of most gifted players in the draft," Motzko said. "He has excellent skills and will bring the crowds to their feet with his ability to make plays. While playing in the USHL, he learned to compete at a high level and bring grit to his game that will make him a complete player."
With the selections of Lucius, Knies and Broz this weekend, Minnesota's incoming class of freshmen for the 2021-22 season now boasts five NHL draft picks. Aaron Huglen (2019, Buffalo Sabres, fourth round, 102nd overall) and Rhett Pitlick (2019, Montreal Canadiens, fifth round, 131st overall) are also slated to join the defending Big Ten tournament champions.
Season tickets for the 101st season of Gopher men's hockey are now on sale at GopherSports.com. Season ticket holders have exclusive access to the Gopher Loyalty Program, providing access to over 100 experiences and benefits, along with discounted regular-season and Big Ten tournament tickets, merchandise discounts and more.
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