I have often praised Trevor Kuntar’s impressive game in my writing, as regular readers here would know.
The Boston Bruins selected Kuntar with the 89th overall pick in the third round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. Kuntar had spent the previous three seasons with the Youngstown Phantoms of the USHL, joining the team for the 2017-2018 season. In his first season with the Phantoms, he scored two goals and two assists while accumulating 44 penalty minutes over 43 games.
He followed up his rookie season by scoring 19 goals and 17 assists with 92 penalty minutes in his second season. Kuntar had a breakout final year in the USHL, racking up 28 goals, 25 assists, and 83 penalty minutes in just 44 games.
Over the next three seasons with Boston College in the NCAA, he played 93 career games, scoring 28 goals and 31 assists while accumulating 102 penalty minutes. The 6-foot, 205-pound Buffalo, N.Y. native demonstrated versatility at both center and left wing.
At the conclusion of the 2022-2023 season, Kuntar signed a two-year entry level contract with Boston.
Kuntar finished his first professional season with the Providence Bruins, recording 10 goals and 10 assists in 70 games while accumulating 113 penalty minutes. He is now preparing for his first AHL playoff run with the Providence Bruins.
Kuntar’s impressive work ethic stands out immediately. Tenacious on the puck, he makes physical contact with opponents to gain possession. His relentless battles along the boards and in front of the net showcase both his skating ability to reach those key areas and his unwavering mindset to outwork opponents. An emerging agitator, Kuntar’s intensity fuels his two-way game.
Kuntar possesses an accurate and deceptive shot that he readily utilizes. He ranked second in shots on goal in the USHL in 2019-2020 and led Boston College in shots for two of his three seasons there. With lightning-fast release and ability to obscure his release point, Kuntar can surprise goalies from a distance. Moreover, his soft hands allow him to capitalize on rebounds and second chances in tight.
When Kuntar arrived in Providence, he was already a solid two-way player. Since then, his attention to detail and willingness to do the little things that don’t appear on the scoresheet in order to win games have only continued to improve. This season, his all-around game has reached an even higher level.
Kuntar is my sleeper pick to make the Boston roster out of camp next season, though it’s more likely he begins the year with Providence. His tireless work ethic makes it hard to bet against him eventually getting called up to the big club, likely once injuries arise. The Bruins tend to let prospects develop fully with Providence before promoting them, so starting there may benefit Kuntar in the long run.
Follow me on X @dominictiano.
Dom - Hockey 