As a youngster growing up in Landshut, Germany, Tom Kuhnhackl had some awfully big skates to fill. His dad, Erich Kuhnhackl, was a larger-than-life figure (6’5” 213) who cut a wide swath across his country’s hockey landscape.
During a legendary career that spanned 19 seasons in Germany and two in Switzerland, the elder Kuhnhackl tallied an astounding 719 goals and 1412 points. The IIHF Hall-of-Famer is widely regarded as the finest hockey player in his country’s history. Germany’s Wayne Gretzky (or Mario Lemieux if you prefer).
The bloodlines took. Since being summoned from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on January 7, the younger Kuhnhackl’s been a most pleasant surprise. Displaying a strong stride and excellent work ethic, the rangy forward’s tallied five goals and nine assists in 40 games with the Penguins. Coincidence or not, the black and gold is 28-9-3 since his call-up.
Tom’s success shouldn’t come as a shock. By the time he was 16, Kuhnhackl was playing pro hockey in the 2nd Bundesliga—Germany’s second-tier pro league. After notching 23 goals for Landshut over two seasons, the budding left wing was selected by the Penguins in the fourth round of the 2010 Entry Draft.
The following season Kuhnhackl traversed the pond to skate for Windsor of the Ontario Hockey League. He blossomed, scoring 39 goals in 63 regular-season games with the Spitfires and 11 more in 18 playoff games.
An unfortunate incident early in the 2011-12 season derailed his development. Dealt from Windsor to Niagara Falls on November 2, Kuhnhackl elbowed Kitchener defenseman Ryan Murphy in the head in his first game with the IceDogs. After serving a 20-game suspension, the German import struggled to regain his form. The 6’2” 196-pounder managed just seven goals in 30 games for his new team.
Kuhnhackl joined the Penguins’ organization in 2012-13, but endured a sluggish start to his pro career. Once regarded as a top scoring prospect, he managed just 18 goals during his first two seasons while splitting time between Wilkes-Barre and Wheeling.
With a dozen goals in 72 games his numbers improved, slightly, in 2014-15 while seeing full-time duty with the Baby Pens. Although he worked hard to develop as an all-around player, he seemed a long shot to fulfill his early promise.
Fate intervened in the form of Mike Sullivan. Given a fresh start and extra responsibility by his new coach, Kuhnhackl thrived. Displaying a new-found confidence, the 24 year old recorded seven goals and 15 points in 23 games with the Baby Pens before earning a promotion.
Upon joining the parent club, Kuhnhackl immediately established himself as a defensively reliable skater and trusted penalty killer. He impressed with his solid play along the wall and in the dirty areas, too.
After taking some time to get acclimated, the offensive side of his game slowly began to emerge. On February 20, Kuhnhackl struck for his first NHL goal, a breathtaking shorthanded tally that spoke of his soft hands and latent skills. Early in the second period of a 4-2 loss to Tampa Bay he poked the puck away from Victor Hedman, dashed into the Bolts’ zone, and roofed a beautiful backhander over goalie Ben Bishop.
Pleased with the big winger’s progress, GM Jim Rutherford signed him to a two-year extension worth $625,000 per season on March 14.
Spurred by the vote of confidence, Kuhnhackl’s been one of the Pens’ hottest scorers of late. In his past nine games, No. 34 tallied three goals and five assists to go with a plus-4. Skating with veterans Matt Cullen and Eric Fehr on a productive third line, he’s become an integral part of the team’s fabric.
Big Erich’s surely proud.
Sestito Recalled
In the wake of Conor Sheary’s recent injury, the Penguins have recalled heavyweight forward Tom Sestito from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 228 pounds, Sestito’s considerable muscle could come in handy against physical foes Washington and Philadelphia in the final two regular-season contests.
In 41 games with the Baby Pens, the Rome, New York native tallied five goals and 14 points to go with 104 penalty minutes. He appeared in two games for the Pens in early March and tangled with feisty New Jersey winger Jordan Tootoo.
According to dropyourgloves.com, Sestito had eight fights in the AHL this season.
Hey Rick,
I believe in this kid. As you have said with each shift he seems to gaining more and more confidence. He is starting to show some serious stick handling abilities holding onto the puck longer and turning some D around.
Like we talked before, I was one who had a bleak outlook for the future of the Pens. I didn’t think any of these kids had the makings of NHL players. Maybe it was because of the pressure to win had some coaches unwilling to give them the responsibility they needed to grow. I had nightmares of a return to the early 2000s. But now, under Sullivan, watching kids like Kuhnhackl seems far, far brighter.
Hey Other Rick,
I’m with you 100 percent. Especially the fears about us returning to the early 2000s. That’s really where I thought this team was heading.
Needless to say, I totally misjudged the kids in the pipeline. Especially the ones who’ve come up from Wilkes-Barre this season. Kuhnhackl, Rust, Sheary, and Wilson. Honestly, I didn’t think there was a bona fide NHLer in the bunch.
How wrong I was. Happily so … 🙂