“I’m Beyond Grateful” | Trevor Kuntar After Signing NHL Contract | Buffalo Sabres

So, just wanted to talk to you about uh coming to Vancouver. Where were you when you found out you were getting the call up to the NHL? Yeah, I was in Belleville. We were getting ready to play a game last night. I got the call during my pregame nap. So, it was a little startling, but in a good way. So, did it wake you up? Oh, yeah. Very much so. At your current pace, you’re going to shatter your previous career highs for scoring as a pro. What’s working for you down in Rochester? you know, and you know, one thing I got to say is like I’m beyond grateful to be given the opportunity to produce and, you know, the coaching staff down there has done an unreal job with everybody. Um, but you know, I just think getting that opportunity, I always knew I had that uh offensive ability in me. It was just a matter of getting that chance and I can’t thank the coaching staff and everyone enough for giving me that opportunity to do so. What was the the travel day like for you? When did you get in here to Vancouver? Yeah, so I found out around 2 o’clock yesterday in Belleville. took a three-hour car service to Toronto and then flew from Toronto to here. Got in at like midnight. So, it was a long day. As a as a Williamsville, right? As as a Williamsville guy, Western New York guy, what does this kind of whole experience mean to you to get the call up from the hometown team and to join them in Vancouver, clear on the other side of the country, and be on the ice with some of these guys? Yeah, I mean, I I can’t say how special it is. You know, just telling my family was just amazing and, you know, it’s dream come true. You know, like a lot of people, they dream of just playing in the NHL, but I dreamt of playing in the NHL for the Sabres and winning for the Sabres. So, you know, that’s something I look forward to doing so in the future, and that’s just been my dream. So, just to have that happen is I’m just so thankful and, you know, kind of just soaking in this moment and hopefully making it last. So, yeah. What do you bring to the Safers lineup? You know, I’m going to compete. I’m going to compete my butt off and, you know, I’m going to be the hardest worker on the ice and I’m going to be fearless out there, play on the edge and, you know, bring a lot of energy to this team and hopefully provide that secondary scoring as well when needed. So, what have your impressions been of coach Leone down in Rochester and just kind of how he got you ready for for this type of opportunity? Yeah, I mean, you know, he really has a great read on the players. And I think he knows everyone individually and what everybody needs individually. And I think he does a great job with the whole staff. I think they all do a great job of taking guys aside, showing video, saying, “Hey, we need you to be detailed here, but also doing it in a positive way where, hey, you’re doing this well and we want you to do this great, you know.” So, I think just taking everything to the next level. They really developed guys and, you know, it’s great. What do you think you did to maximize your AHL opportunity to get this opportunity? Um, you know, I just I put my head down and worked as hard as I could and you know, like one thing I truly believe in is you always have to believe and have faith in yourself. I think last year was really hard for me and it was it was definitely really difficult, but you know, I never felt sorry for myself. You know, I said this is only going to make me work even harder and I’m going to use this in the right way. Um, and yeah, that’s that’s what I did and it’s paying off big time. So, scoring’s been there for you, but seems like playing with an edge has definitely uh something you bring to the table. Has that always kind of been part of your game? Yeah, you know, I always say like you want to make an impact on the game whether you’re scoring or not. So, you know, I just I love to play hard and compete and I think that goes with playing on the edge. You look at guys like Kachchuck, Marshon, you know, those are guys I look up to. So just kind of looking after that and really owning that part of my game is definitely big, especially at this level. As the son of a for former NHL player, how special was it to share this news with him? Yeah, it was it was you know, I have no words. Like it’s cliche to say, but it’s true. You know, I was I’m just so grateful for this and it’s it’s just truly special to share this with my family and everything. So it’s it’s been great. Are any of them in town for that tonight? Uh no, just because I don’t know if I’m playing. So it’s uh it’s a long ways. But, uh, you know, if I did get into the lineup or whatever, they would definitely be watching. And hopefully sometime in the future, I could be playing close to home. So, we’ll see. But, yeah, it’s exciting.

Buffalo Sabres forward Trevor Kuntar spoke to the media ahead of a matchup with the Vancouver Canucks in his NHL debut. Kuntar, the Buffalo native spoke about what this means to him and his family and how excited he is. He also talked about his play so far with the Rochester Americans and what he feels he can bring to the Sabres lineup.

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