Wisconsin's Kunin hopes to become complete player

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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Luke Kunin had two goals, one assist and three blocked shots during a weekend series at Penn State. One of the goals by the University of Wisconsin freshman provided a glimpse into the talent the 18-year-old forward possesses. One of the blocked shots showed what kind of player he is.

"He came back to the bench (after the blocked shot) and said 'I deserve that because I lost the faceoff so clean,'" Wisconsin coach Mike Eaves said about Kunin. "That's the kind of lad he is. That's taking responsibility."

It was an impressive moment in what was a strong weekend for Kunin. He showed patience, skill and toughness throughout the back-to-back road games, often in the same sequence.

On Saturday, in the second game against Penn State, Kunin was killing a penalty when he found the puck on his stick in the neutral zone. He eluded a prone, sliding defenseman before the righty shot beat goalie Eamon McAdam, who was drafted by the New York Islanders in 2013, top shelf.

It was the only goal of the game for Wisconsin, who lost the game 4-1, but it was another signature moment for the 6-foot, 196-pound freshman.

Kunin, who was born in Chesterfield, Mo., is No. 16 on NHL Central Scouting's midterm ranking of North American skaters eligible for the 2016 NHL Draft, which is June 24-25 in Buffalo.

Kunin has been a bright spot for Wisconsin, who fell to 4-10-6 after losing both games by a combined score of 8-4. Kunin has played in all 20 games and leads the team with nine goals. He is tied for the team lead in points (18) with junior forward Grant Besse. Each is a nominee for the Hobey Baker Award, given annually to the best college hockey player in the United States.

Kunin went into the season wanting to improve all facets of his game, but most specifically his play in the defensive zone. He said playing on the penalty kill has helped with those improvements, but he prides himself on being able to play in any type of game situation.

"I want to become a 200-foot player," Kunin said. "I keep working on the offensive side of my game along with the little defensive details."

Kunin, who played two years with the USA Hockey's National Team Developmental Program, graduated high school in three years and celebrated his 18th birthday last month. He went to college because he believes it will land him in the NHL quicker than had he played with a Canadian Hockey league junior team.

Eaves, who has coached at Wisconsin for 12 years, appreciates seeing the trend of more pro-eligible players choosing college.

"He's playing against men now," Eaves said. "The pro guys can see how he plays against older people and that's the benefit of coming to college."

Kunin's journey has not come without its hurdles. When he was in sixth grade, he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. He was never told he couldn't play hockey because of it, so he was able to quickly adjust.

"It was a little bit of an adversity when I first got it. I think it was just a little hump in the road. Everyone faces challenges at some point," Kunin said. "I don't think it's affected me too much."

Eaves said Kunin's focus and determination is what makes him a special player.

"He's the type of guy who wants to sit and watch his shifts after every weekend, he goes and works with our trainers on his own for extra workouts," Eaves said. "He's very focused on his goals."

One of Kunin's goals was to make the United States team at the 2016 World Junior Championship in Helsinki, Finland. That didn't happen, but he has moved on. He's not sure where he'll end up after the draft, but for now he's just focused on that next goal.

"Right now, it's to get this team wins and try to get higher up in the Big Ten," Kunin said. "After the season, I think if I play well the draft will take care of itself."