3 Toronto Maple Leafs Prospects Guaranteed To Be at the World Juniors

EDMONTON, AB - DECEMBER 30: Topi Niemela #7, Roni Hirvonen #22, Anton Lundell #15 and Kasper Simontaival #29 of Finland celebrate a goal against Slovakia during the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship at Rogers Place on December 30, 2020 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
EDMONTON, AB - DECEMBER 30: Topi Niemela #7, Roni Hirvonen #22, Anton Lundell #15 and Kasper Simontaival #29 of Finland celebrate a goal against Slovakia during the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship at Rogers Place on December 30, 2020 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
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Toronto Maple Leafs
DETROIT, MI – AUGUST 02: Keith Petruzzelli #35 of the USA follows the play against Sweden d . (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Keith Petruzzelli

Matthew Knies – USA

Left winger Matthew Knies  is projected to crack the top line for Team USA at the World Juniors this year after a fantastic showing at the World Junior Summer Showcase.

Knies was the top American scorer at the WJSS with 4 goals and 7 points in 5 games, and was ranked 3rd in the tournament for goals and points.

This season, Matthew Knies has scored 7 goals and 14 points in 14 games in the NCAA to lead the University of Minnesota in goals and points.  That also ranks him 3rd in goals and 5th in points among U20 American NCAA forwards.

Though some scouts projected a first round selection, Matthew Knies was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2nd round (57 overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft after he scored 17 goals and 42 points in 44 games with the Tri-City Storm in the USHL.