Knies has the size, strength, power, and speed that he uses consistently to make him a key player on the ice. A player who thrives on special teams, the sophomore has produced six power play goals and the team’s only two shorthanded goals. He has come up clutch in big moments with seven game winning goals which is the most in the nation, and were all scored against teams that ranked top 15 in the nation. Three of his seven game winning goals have come in overtime, making him one of only five players in program history to do so, and the only player in program history to do it in one season. Knies was honored at the end of the regular season as the Big Ten Player of the Year and First Team All Conference.