Luke Kunin

Lore & Background

Kunin was born in Chesterfield, Missouri, and began playing minor ice hockey for a youth affiliate of the St. Louis Blues. During his minor hockey career, he was coached by former NHL players including Keith Tkachuk, Jeff Brown, Al MacInnis, and Jamie Rivers. He played alongside Matthew Tkachuk and Clayton Keller in the 2010 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. Kunin finished high school in three years to begin college hockey at age 17 with the Wisconsin Badgers. He was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in sixth grade and found inspiration in Blues player B. J. Crombeen, who also had diabetes.

At Wisconsin, Kunin led the team in scoring as a freshman with 18 goals and 33 points, earning a spot on the 2016 All-Big Ten Freshmen Team. As a sophomore, he was named captain—the first sophomore to hold that role since Mike Eaves in the 1975–76 season—and again led the Badgers in scoring with 22 goals and 38 points, earning All-Big Ten Second Team honors. He signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Wild in March 2017 and made his NHL debut in the 2017–18 season. His first NHL goal was short-handed, a franchise first for Minnesota. A season-ending ACL injury in March 2018 cut short his rookie campaign. After recovery, he split time between the NHL and AHL, including a stint helping the Iowa Wild in the 2019 Calder Cup playoffs.

Reader's Guide

Luke Kunin's career illustrates the path of a high-floor two-way forward developed through the USA Hockey National Team Development Program and college hockey. His early commitment to Wisconsin and rapid ascension to captaincy demonstrated leadership and maturity that translated to professional hockey. Kunin's ability to contribute at both ends of the ice was shaped by coaches who prepared him for the NHL, particularly during his final college season under Tony Granato. His NHL debut goal being short-handed for the Wild marked an immediate impact, though injuries and salary cap constraints affected his early professional trajectory. Kunin's experience playing for five NHL teams—Minnesota, Nashville, San Jose, Columbus, and Florida—reflects a journeyman career for a player valued for his versatility and defensive responsibility. His management of type 1 diabetes while playing professionally has been a notable aspect of his personal story, drawing on support from his brother and inspiration from fellow diabetic B. J. Crombeen. Kunin's legacy is that of a reliable center who, despite not becoming a star, carved out a role as a capable NHL contributor across multiple organizations.

Did You Know?

• He became the first player in Minnesota Wild franchise history to score his debut NHL goal short-handed.
• Kunin finished high school in three years to begin playing college hockey at age 17.
• He was the first sophomore to captain the Wisconsin Badgers in over 40 years.