Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies show support after tragedy hits the hockey world
Photo credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies visited hospitalized Blues prospect Matthew Mayich in Arizona, offering support to his family during his recovery.
There are moments when hockey stops being about wins and losses and becomes something bigger, and that is exactly what happened this week when the Maple Leafs made their way through Arizona.
Matthew Mayich, a St. Louis Blues prospect and Arizona State defenseman, has been hospitalized since collapsing during an off ice training session in the brutal summer heat, and the entire hockey world has been watching closely ever since.
During their time in the desert, Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies made sure Mayich and his family knew they were not alone.
The Leafs stopped by the hospital to visit, and players wore hats and t shirts to the rink to show their support for a player most of them had never met, but whose situation hit close to home for two guys who grew up in the area.
Knies opens up about the visit
Knies, who is from the Phoenix area himself, said it felt personal knowing the place and the community involved.
He spoke about how devastating the news was and how all of Toronto stands behind the Mayich family as they navigate an unimaginably difficult stretch.
“Obviously devastating. You never want to hear about anybody, and yeah, it felt close to home for me because I'm from here and, you know, I know the area and I know the place, and I'm just really sad. And again, I'm praying for the family, and, you know, all of Toronto is behind them.”
- Matthew Knies
- Matthew Knies
Matthews, who trains in Arizona every summer, echoed that sentiment, pointing out how the hockey community tends to rally in ways that reach far beyond the sport itself, with support pouring in from fans who have never laced up a pair of skates.
"I'm here all summer, so I'm skating here, and you obviously hear about the tragic news, and, you know, it's pretty emotional, I think. And, you know, I think the hockey community itself is extremely tight-knit, but I think you just look around and all the love and support that they're getting from people that aren't even involved in hockey, that have heard the story and just want to offer their love, their support, prayers, and all that.
And so I think that's kind of the approach that I wanted to take. I think all of us wanted to take in coming here and knowing what the situation was, and making sure that the family knew that we're sending our thoughts, our prayers, and our support for them."
- Auston Matthews
And so I think that's kind of the approach that I wanted to take. I think all of us wanted to take in coming here and knowing what the situation was, and making sure that the family knew that we're sending our thoughts, our prayers, and our support for them."
- Auston Matthews
A tight knit hockey community responds
Support has poured in from strangers with no connection to hockey, and the Leafs wanted the family to feel that same warmth in person.
Mayich remains hospitalized as his recovery continues, with the entire hockey world hoping for positive updates in the days ahead.
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