BOSTON -- Bruins prospect Trevor Kuntar is entering his second professional season, and while securing a spot on the NHL roster is the ultimate goal, the 23-year-old forward has plenty of players in front of him also vying for a role in Boston.
"That's what pro hockey is," Providence Bruins head coach Ryan Mougenel said after Day 1 of rookie camp at Warrior Ice Arena on Wednesday. "They've put the work in, and now it's time to put rubber to the road."
Mougenel continued: "For a guy like Kuntar, he's going to make noise regardless. And maybe it's not right out of the gate, maybe it's later in the season, but it's real important that the coaching staff feels confidence in you and that they're saying the right things about you. One thing we've done a real good job as a whole is guys that have come down have always come up and played well. I think it's because of the group that's been built here (in the organization) by the work ethic that guys practice up here, how they play, how they talk to each other, how strong of teammates they are. So, when guys come up, they usually don't miss a beat, and that's a good thing for guys like Kuntar."
The 23-year-old reflected on last season with the Bruins, the edge he likes to play with and showing the coaches how he's grown during the 2024 Prospect Challenge in Buffalo, N.Y. this weekend and in training camp beginning Sept. 18.
"I'm excited to put my best foot forward this year," Kuntar told reporters on Wednesday. "I just like to play hard and win my battles. Sometimes it makes (opponents) mad, so it's fun."
Kuntar takes pride in playing with a little bit of an attitude when he's on the ice and feels it gives him a "unique" chance to make a push for the Bruins roster.
"It's definitely unique," he said. "I think it's definitely the Bruins' identity. I'm really excited to add that and continue to play the way I know how to play, and hopefully, eventually, I will play for Boston and do that in Boston. I think having that unique playing style and just playing hard every night and competing is definitely really important."
Kuntar scored 10 goals and 10 assists while accruing 113 penalty minutes in 70 games in his first professional season. Moving forward, he's excited to continue learning and growing in his sophomore campaign.
