Craig Berube Surprisingly Defends Zach Whitecloud After Hit On Young Winger Matthew Knies

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Tom Banks
November 22, 2024 (2:37 PM)

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Matthew Knies is being evaluated after a hit from Vegas' Zach Whitecloud, and now his coach has surprisingly come out in support of the hit, stating that his young winger needs to know better.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are missing Ryan Reaves for five-games with a suspension, and during their recent game against the Vegas Golden Knights, they were on the receiving end of a huge hit.

Despite this, the NHL saw no illegal play from Zach Whitecloud on this hit that has seen Matthew Knies being evaluated for a concussion ever since, giving him no suspension nor penalty on the play.

Now, Head Coach Craig Berube has opened up on the hit that saw former captain John Tavares stand up for his young winger, and his statement isn't exactly what you'd expect.

«It's a hockey hit. It's been around forever It's a clean hit. It's a tough play. He's in a vulnerable position a little bit. The guy was on him from behind and it's a tough play. It is, but it's hockey. That's part of the game.»

That's somewhat surprising, but given how old-school Berube is, coupled with the NHL's ruling that this wasn't an illegal hit, it makes sense that he would like to see his young winger protect himself better than he did.

After that though, Berube provided an update on Knies, and while nothing major has changed, it's a positive one for Maple Leafs fans.

«Not bad. I mean, still being evaluated and looked at, but actually feeling OK today, which is good news.»

There has been a lot of talk around this hit given the contact to the head, but the league has deemed it legal, and while Berube certainly feels for his young winger, he wants him to learn how to protect himself better.