Off the Ice: Luke Kunin talks cheat meals and days away from rink

Each month, Wild.com profiles a different player's endeavors away from the rink. This story also appears in the February issue of Wild Magazine.

During the off-season, one place you can always count on finding Wild center Luke Kunin, at the lake. Whether he's fishing in a charity tournament or hanging with some friends, being on the water is his favorite place to be. The Type 1 diabetic knows from experience what it's like to live with a chronic illness and takes interest in helping kids who deal with the disease themselves. Get to know Luke Kunin and his hobbies off the ice.

Wild.com's Tricia Luna: Are there any special charities/community events that you are involved in? When did you first get involved?
Luke Kunin: I'll do anything with the children's hospital, things like that I enjoy going to see the kids. I try to be involved with Juvenile Diabetes Research; being a Type 1 diabetic myself, those are ones that interest me and I like to help out with.
TL: How often do you allow yourself to have a cheat meal? What is your cheat meal?
LK: As athletes, we have to eat pretty healthy, but whenever I want to have a little dessert or a little fun snack here and there, I'm probably not going to hold back. I love cookies and milk, chocolate chip cookies and some milk are probably the go-to.

TL: When the season is really underway, how do you spend your down time away from the rink, to relax or get a mental break from the game?
LK: I love being on the lake, golfing or being on the water would probably be my two go-tos. I do like fishing, but not by myself. With a group of guys just hanging out, it's more the social part of it I enjoy, just being on the water with some friends and catching fish.
TL: Non-hockey related, what's your favorite city in the United States to visit and why?
New York; it's a pretty fun spot. Great restaurants and you can have a lot of good nightlife and places to go and just have fun.