Cooley, Knies not ready to talk about signing NHL contracts

Top prospects for Coyotes, Maple Leafs could turn pro after NCAA championship game loss

TAMPA, Fla. --Logan Cooley and Matthew Knies were not ready to discuss their hockey futures after their 3-2 overtime loss with Minnesota to Quinnipiac in the NCAA Frozen Four championship game at Amalie Arena on Saturday.

Cooley was chosen by the Arizona Coyotes with the No. 3 pick of the 2022 NHL Draft, Knies by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round (No. 57) of the 2021 NHL Draft.

"I'm still in shock about [the game], I really don't know what's going on," Knies said. "But once it settles in I'll probably start talking to people."

Minnesota led 2-0 after two periods, but Quinnipiac tied it 2-2 on a goal by Collin Graf with 2:47 remaining in the third, and won it when Jacob Quillan scored 10 seconds into overtime.

Cooley was second among NCAA players as a freshman with 60 points (22 goals, 38 assists) in 39 games. The 18-year-old was named Big Ten First-Team All-Conference and to the conference's All-Freshman Team. He was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, presented to the best men's Division I NCAA player, which was won by University of Michigan forward Adam Fantilli, a top prospect for the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft.

He was minus-1 with two penalty minutes and 9-for-20 on face-offs in the championship game.

Cooley said Saturday he would need some time to consider his next move.

"I'm not really processing anything right now," he said. "This is the hardest loss I've ever had. I feel for all these seniors … it [stinks] for them. We wanted to do it for them.

"We were all super confident in this locker room that we could get the job done, but a few bad bounces and it's in the back of your net. It's hockey."

Knies was third for Minnesota with 42 points (21 goals, 21 assists) in 40 games as a sophomore, and his seven game-winning goals tied for the NCAA lead. He had one shot on goal Saturday.

The 20-year-old also was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award. He was voted Big Ten Player of the Year and was named Big Ten First-Team All-Conference.

Like Cooley, Knies wasn't ready Saturday to decide his next move. However, he did take time to reflect on his two seasons at Minnesota.

"It's been my home for two years now," he said. "I've made all my friends and family there. It's a special place. It's a special group in this locker room. The memories we had on and off the ice, I don't think I will ever forget those."