Luke Kunin

This past summer, Nashville traded forward Luke Kunin to San Jose for John Leonard, who has mainly played in the AHL, and a third-round pick. A rather baffling move on the Predators' part. Kunin, who turned 25 in December, possesses an enviable combination of skill and toughness. And throughout his hockey life, he has displayed tremendous character.

Preds loss; Sharks gain. Acquiring Kunin and immediately signing him to a two-year contract extension was an astute action by San Jose's new GM, Mike Grier.

Kunin was born in Chesterfield, Missouri. Growing up, he played minor hockey with a youth affiliate of the St. Louis Blues. Former NHL players were among his coaches. Despite being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, his resolve enabled him to continue playing.

After completing high school in just three years, Kunin starred in college, playing for the Wisconsin Badgers. Under the tutelage of the coach, former Shark, King and Ranger Tony Granato, he flourished. In his sophomore year, Kunin was named the team's captain.

He also captained the U.S squad at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championships, winning gold. The team's head coach, Bob Motzko lauded Kunin's presence, demeanor, versatility, work ethic, unselfishness and "'whatever-it-takes' attitude."

At the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, Minnesota selected Kunin in first round, 15th overall. His stint with the Wild began in 2017. During the 2019-20 season, he picked up 31 points in 63 games. That summer, he was traded to Nashville, where he spent two seasons.

On July 8, 2022, Kunin was swapped to San Jose. Ten days later, the RFA signed a two-year contract extension. Armed with grit and determination, he's eager to help the Sharks return to lofty heights.

Photo courtesy of Amanda Cain/San Jose Sharks

TOP SHELF:
Growing up in Missouri, were you a Blues fan?

LUKE KUNIN:
Yeah, growing up, we had season tickets, so we'd go to those games. Obviously being as close as we are with the Tkachuks and having had him [Keith Tkachuk] coaching us, it was pretty cool growing up with that. At such as young age, having a guy like that, being able to go into the locker room and see all those guys with Matthew and Brady and stuff, it was pretty cool.

TOP SHELF:
Were your parents into hockey?

KUNIN:
Yeah, my dad was always into it, played growing up, up through college, D1, and coached a lot. So yeah, it's always been in the family. My brother and I were on skates before we could walk, I think.

TOP SHELF:
Who were your hockey heroes growing up?

KUNIN:
Keith Tkachuk. He was almost like a second dad. He was coaching Matthew and me, growing up. Just having someone like that, at such a young age, to teach you a lot about the game was big.

TOP SHELF:
Was there any particular perspective on the game or advice he gave you, that really stuck?

KUNIN:
There were probably a million things. It's hard to think of one particular one off the top of my head. But obviously, just seeing how he treated people, that was a big thing. And you just tried to learn as much as you could from him.

TOP SHELF:
Were there other former Blues involved in the minor hockey coaching?

Photo Credit: Scott Dinn

KUNIN:
Yeah, Al MacInnis, Jeff Brown. We were all pretty lucky to have all those guys stay and help out and coach and be a part of it. I think that's why you saw a lot of guys having success, coming out of the St. Louis area.

TOP SHELF:
You mentioned Matthew being a teammate. Was he already a dynamic personality, even at that early point?

KUNIN:
Yeah, he was always a good player. We always knew he had great skill, great talent, obviously. I don't think anyone's really surprised at what he's doing now, how good he is. With him and Brady, it's pretty special.

TOP SHELF:
And Clayton Keller was part of the same team?

KUNIN:
Yeah, he was. It was fun going to the rink, playing with those guys.

TOP SHELF:
When were you diagnosed with type 1 diabetes?

KUNIN:
When I was 12 years old.

TOP SHELF:
Were you concerned that it would curtail your pursuit of hockey at that point?

Photo Credit: Scott Dinn

KUNIN:
Yeah, that was the first question, knowing nothing about it -- Can I still play? And the doctor just said, "Yeah, you've just got to change some things up." So I had to take shots and all that kind of stuff. Once I heard I could still play, I was, "All right, just do whatever you have to do to continue to play. Don't let it stop you."

TOP SHELF:
Did you research prominent athletes who had the condition and yet succeeded?

KUNIN:
Yeah, absolutely. There was actually a player on the Blues at that time, B.J. Crombeen, who had type 1. And he reached out to me and I got to talk with him. That was a pretty special thing for me at that moment. Playing in the NHL was a big thing for me, so it meant a lot to see him and talk with him.

TOP SHELF:
Your older brother, Nick, played hockey, as well, as you mentioned. How far did he go with that?

KUNIN:
He played juniors and then stopped before college.

TOP SHELF:
What made him give it up?

KUNIN:
Injuries.

TOP SHELF:
In 2017, captaining the World Junior team, that was quite a responsibility and honor.

KUNIN:
Yeah, absolutely. It was a great honor, special team, special group of guys. That's a tournament I will always remember. It was pretty special to win that, in Canada, against Canada.

TOP SHELF:
Capturing the gold there must have been a thrill.

Photo Credit: Scott Dinn

KUNIN:
Yeah, Absolutely.

TOP SHELF:
The friendships that were formed during that whole experience, do you think those will last throughout your life?

KUNIN:
Absolutely. And a few of those guys were on the U.S. team that we played for a few years prior. So it was a very tight-knit group from the start. I think you saw that over the course of the World Juniors. We were very close and had a lot of fun.

TOP SHELF:
Also serving as a captain at Wisconsin -- They have had a very impressive program there, traditionally. How important was that experience to your development?

KUNIN:
Oh, huge. Ever since I visited that school, at a young age, for a youth tournament, I fell in love with the place and wanted to play there, just the history the program has and the alumni, it was pretty special to be able to play there for two years.

TOP SHELF:
Being drafted in the first round of the NHL draft, that must have been an exciting day?

KUNIN:
Yeah, it was. You work so hard for that moment. And you share it with your family and friends, and other teammates and players that are there, as well. It was a fun day for sure.

TOP SHELF:
Playing for the Wild, was that a great atmosphere there, in the state of hockey?

KUNIN:
Yeah, it was great. I loved my time there. They're the team that drafted me. And it was great. I learned a lot. And obviously loved my time in Nashville, as well, with those guys in that group. And I've been in San Jose just a short time, but I'm really excited to be out here with these guys and hopefully we can turn this thing around.

TOP SHELF:
Going to Nashville, did you become a country music fan there?

Photo courtesy of Amanda Cain/San Jose Sharks

KUNIN:
Yeah, I've always been a big fan of that music, so it was fun to be there and be around all that, as well.

TOP SHELF:
Was it during your time with the Preds that you established your fund that raises money for juvenile diabetes research?

KUNIN:
Yup. It was the beginning of last year we started that. It's something I'm passionate about, obviously. Like I said, I was lucky enough to be able to talk with B.J. Crombeen, so I just want to be there for kids, families, whatever they need, if I can help in any way. I just want to show them that you don't want to let it stop you from doing what you want to do.

TOP SHELF:
You must be an inspiration to those kids. And the King Clancy nomination [the NHL award given annually to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and who has made a significant humanitarian contribution to his community], that's another big honor.

KUNIN:
Yeah, that was. That was really cool. Anytime you're up for something like that, it's special. It's more than just hockey, right? So it was a great honor, for sure.

TOP SHELF:
The trade to the Sharks, it surprised me that Nashville would make that move, Were you caught off guard by it?

KUNIN:
Yeah, I was, for sure. But shortly thereafter, I had a good conversation with Mike [Sharks GM Mike Grier]. We had a great chat and I was relieved, excited. It was very refreshing, the conversation we had. So it got me really excited about the plan, the future, everything. So it's been good. I'm excited.

TOP SHELF:
It must have been validating that the Sharks showed faith in you right away, getting you to sign a contract extension.

KUNIN:
Yeah, for sure.

TOP SHELF:
What do you view as being the greatest strengths of your game?

KUNIN:
I just think versatility, playing around the lineup, in all situations. I think that's big for me.

TOP SHELF:
There's also the grit factor. Physicality -- was that always a part of your game?

Photo Credit: Scott Dinn

KUNIN:
Yeah, I think so. It's a matter of finding the right way to use it. I don't think that's the only thing that I can do, but I do think it's a piece that I bring.

TOP SHELF:
You've shown a willingness to drop the gloves when it's called for, standing up for teammates, even against bigger guys. Coming up through the university route, when and how did you learn to handle yourself in a hockey fight?

KUNIN:
Just fighting with my brother, I guess [laughs]. I have no idea. It just kind of happened.

TOP SHELF:
What are your initial reactions to San Jose, the city, the organization?

KUNIN:
Well, so far, it's been great. Everyone's been awesome. It's been an easy transition thus far. I'm still learning my way around, learning the city a little bit. But it's been fun.

TOP SHELF:
The team has undergone a number of changes, does that actually make it easier as one of the newcomers?

KUNIN:
Yeah. I definitely think it's easier, having a number of people almost on the same page, coming in here.

TOP SHELF:
And you're looking forward to helping the Sharks return to contender status?

KUNIN:
Absolutely.

TOP SHELF:
Have you also set personal goals for yourself?

KUNIN:
Yeah, I have. But I keep them to myself [laughs].

TOP SHELF:
What have been the greatest challenges you've faced over the course of your career?

KUNIN:
There's always a lot of adversity, a lot of challenges. I think getting traded was probably the biggest one I've had to deal with. But both trades, obviously, have made me stronger, helped me learn more about myself.

On the ice, off the ice, I've learned a lot about my game throughout the years. It's a tough league. Obviously there's a lot you've got to learn, a lot you have to deal with. But I think the more consistent you can be, the more success you'll have.

TOP SHELF:
What's been the most rewarding aspect of playing pro hockey?

KUNIN:
It's what I've wanted to do my whole life. So never take a day for granted, just enjoy every second.