Trevor Kuntar is Having a Season to Forget

Born on June 20, 2001, in Buffalo, New York, Kuntar if nothing else, has shown a relentless drive to succeed in the sport. Let’s take a closer look at his career to date, his potential path to the NHL, a detailed scouting report, and some player comparables.

Career to Date

Kuntar’s journey began with the Buffalo Jr. Sabres, where he played for two seasons, showcasing his talent with 14 goals and 25 assists in 47 games. He was selected by the Ottawa 67’s at the 2017 OHL Draft. He decided on to the USHL, where he spent the next three seasons with the Youngstown Phantoms. During the 2019-20 season, Kuntar served as an assistant captain and contributed 28 goals and 25 assists in 44 games, earning a spot as a second-team USHL all-star. He was passed over at the 2019 NHL Entry Draft but the Bruins selected him in the third round, 89^th overall in 2020.

In 2020, Kuntar committed to Boston College, where he played for three seasons. His freshman year saw him score six goals and four assists in 23 games. He continued to improve, tallying 20 points in his sophomore year and 29 points in his junior year.

After signing a two-year entry-level contract with the Bruins in March 2023, Kuntar joined the Providence Bruins of the AHL. In his first season with Providence, he scored 10 goals and 10 assists in 70 regular-season games. However, his production has slipped this season, down to 2 goals and 5 assists though 34 games to date.

Path to the NHL

Kuntar’s path to the NHL looked promising, but had its challenges. He has shown steady improvement throughout his career (until now). He has the physical attributes, skills and most of all the work ethic needed to succeed at the professional level. Moving forward his performance in the AHL will be crucial in determining his readiness for the NHL in the future. His development curve will need to return to an upwards trajectory.

Scouting Report

Kuntar is a big, strong center/winger with a quick, accurate shot. He excels in the dirty areas of the ice, winning net-front battles and using his physicality to gain positioning. His shot is powerful and can beat goaltenders. Kuntar’s two-way game is a bonus, as he is responsible defensively. However, the offence has been in decline this season.

One of Kuntar’s standout qualities is his work ethic and tenacity. That alone led me to believe he could have been a sleeper to make the Bruins roster this season. He is known for his high motor and unwavering pursuit of the puck.

When looking for player comparables, Kuntar’s style of play and physical attributes draw similarities to players like Brendan Gallagher and Andrew Shaw. Both Gallagher and Shaw are known for their gritty, hard-nosed style of play and their ability to contribute offensively while being responsible defensively. Like Kuntar, they excel in net-front battles and have a knack for scoring goals in tight spaces.

In conclusion, Trevor Kuntar’s hockey career to date has been marked by steady improvement (with one season questionable) and a relentless work ethic. His still has a path to the NHL, and with continued development could achieve his goal. he has the potential to become a valuable player for the Boston Bruins. The potential is there if he can get back on course.

In case you missed it, here are the players we previously looked at: Michael DiPietro; Georgii Merkulov; Brett Harrison; Fabian Lysell; Frederic Brunet.