Matt McKnight will be heading home to Halkirk, Alberta, this week for the Christmas Holidays and the junior center, along with the rest of his University of Minnesota Duluth puck mates, are hoping the time off will be just what they need to break out of a mid-season funk.

McKnight, a Bulldog team co-captain, has spent nearly half of the 2006-07 season on the sidelines nursing a nagging upper arm injury, but his return to the Bulldog lineup last week was certainly a source of encouragement for the UMD coaching staff -- and for good reason. Last winter, McKnight enjoyed a breakout season, racking up a personal-high 25 points while establishing himself as one of the club's most proficient special teams combatants.

HIS FAVORITES

Opponent: Minnesota

Opponent Arena: Kohl Center (Wisconsin)

Road Trip: Denver, Colo.

Professional Athlete: Tom Brady

Professional Team: Edmonton Oilers

College Course: PE 1907 (Varsity Ice Hockey)

Pastime: Watching Sports on Television

Prized Possession: My Volkswagen Jetta

Movie: Me, Myself and Irene

Book: Green Eggs and Ham

Television Show: ESPN Sports Center

Singer/Group: Simon and Garfunkel

Food: Pasta and Chicken

Restaurant: Blackwoods

Vacation Spot: Sylvan Lake, Alberta

Web Site: nhl.com

PERSONALLY SPEAKING

Why I Chose UMD: The coaches

First Played Competitive Hockey: At age 6

Hockey Strength/Weakness: My vision/My foot speed

Game Day Ritual: I take a pregame nap

Most Memorable Hockey Moment: Winning the 2002-2003 Alberta Junior Hockey League title with Camrose

Best Player I’ve Ever Played Against: Sidney Crosby

Pet Peeve: Summer morning workouts

My First Job: Working on my family's ranch when I was five or six years old

Person I'd Most Like to Meet: Derek Jeter

Biggest Fear: My cat, Black Boy, passing away

What Most People Don't Know About Me: I come from a town of about 80

Advice to an Aspiring Young Athlete: Keep your stick on the ice

If I Could Change One Thing About Myself:

I wouldn't burn so easily in the summer

Influences on My Athletic Career: My parents

Something I Never Leave Home Without: My check card

Sport I'd Like to Try But Never Have: Cricket

Post-UMD Plans: Play professional hockey somewhere