Getting to Know: Trevor Kuntar

BostonBruins.com - The Boston Bruins selected forward Trevor Kuntar with the 89th overall pick on Wednesday afternoon during the third round of the 2020 NHL Draft.

Last Team: Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
Position: Forward
Height: 6 feet
Weight: 203 pounds
Shoots: Left
Birthday: June 20, 2001
Hometown: Williamsville, New York
Central Scouting: 143rd-ranked North American skater
"It's just a dream come true today," said Kuntar, who is now a freshman at Boston College. "I'm a hard-working player. I love to compete. A two-way power forward, I love to compete every night…I literally had no words. It was a dream come true. I'm here with my mom and my dad, it was just one of the best moments of my life. Couldn't be more grateful.
"Just all the hard work, all the sacrifices my parents have made, and everyone has made for me. It just really shows that it was all worth it. I just couldn't be more grateful for this opportunity and the work starts now, so I'm excited."
Like Boston's second-round pick, Mason Lohrei, Kuntar went undrafted last year, providing him with plenty of motivation during his third full campaign with the Phantoms in 2019-20. The 19-year-old, known for his heavy shot, was a top-10 scorer in the USHL last season, notching 53 points (28 points, 25 assists) in 44 games during his third season with Youngstown.
"I'll never forget that day for the rest of my life," Kuntar said of last June's Draft in Vancouver. "I thought about that day every day and that's one of the things that motivated me to keep pushing and keep going.
"I think I worked really hard in the offseason…I love to train and compete. I think I just kept getting bigger and stronger and faster. Just kind of all around. My coaches really had a huge influence on me. They really kind of taught me how to hone in on my assets. They were a really huge part of that too."

Miscellaneous: The New York native was expected to attend Harvard this fall but switched his commitment to Boston College because of the COVID-19 crisis. With the Crimson suspending athletics and holding all classes virtually, Kuntar and his family felt it was best to head to the Heights and play for legendary coach Jerry York.
"Harvard, their hockey season got postponed and they got switched to all online and they don't give any athletic scholarships, so I just thought that it was best for me and a hockey standpoint to make the switch over and I'm super happy with my decision so far," said Kuntar, who was speaking before the Eagles' Wednesday afternoon practice.
Kuntar believes that being in the same city as the Bruins and having the ability to get to know the organization firsthand will certainly help in his development.
"Boston College is 20 minutes from the city, right where they are," said Kuntar. "I'm just super excited about that opportunity and to get to know the whole organization, staff and everything. It's just a once in a lifetime opportunity and I couldn't be more grateful."
- Kuntar, whose father, Les, played six games with the Montreal Canadiens in 1993-94, is set to kick off his freshman season with Boston College. - Kuntar was roommates with Bruins 2018 fourth-round pick Curtis Hall during his first season with Youngstown. "It'll be kind of funny to re-unite and re-connect through that. I'm really excited about that."