we watched matthew knies start out as this perpetually confused baby winger centered by the only kid in the world that would understand, this prospect from the whl that also lived with him in john's basement. we watched that kid get ripped away from him and the depression that followed it. we watched him get shuffled from line to line, and we watched him blossom under the opportunity to play with am34 and mm16. we watched him form insane connections and beautiful chemistry with nr89 and ph29 on the kids line. but most of all we got to watch him become a dedicated and serious player. we watched him stand up for md11, mr44, we watched him lay pens player john ludvig out flat and we watched him challenge plenty more. we watched him lead by example and take john's advice. we watched him become so much more than the kid that scored his first goal last playoffs season. i'm so excited to see where he goes and i am so proud of him and i am so lucky to watch him play hockey