BLOG: Gust Ready to Make Most of Opportunity

Before celebrating his 29th birthday on Tuesday, David Gust received a call from his agent that contained a different surprise for his career. While out to dinner with his wife and parents, he learned that he would sign a contract with the
Chicago Blackhawks for a two-year, two-way deal
that the team announced on Thursday morning.
While playing in the American hockey League for the majority of his hockey career, the forward never though an opportunity like this would come his way as the years went on.
"It's so cool," Gust said. "I thought that ship kind of sailed a couple years ago just with getting older. [I didn't really have an] NHL deal really [in Carolina] and then hearing this news was pretty emotional for me and my wife."

This season, Gust produced career-high with 50 points between 24 goals and 26 assists through 51 games in his first season with the Rockford IceHogs. He also named to the AHL All-Star Classic with teammates Lukas Reichel and Brett Seney.
Heading into the season with Rockford, Gust felt that he might have an opportunity to join the Blackhawks at some point this season. After playing with top minutes and recording career numbers, he is ready to make his NHL debut.
"I think this is just the first time my career I've kind of been given the opportunity to play a top six role," Gust said. "I've just kind of taken off with that chance."

Although Gust has signed a similar NHL contract in the past with the Carolina Hurricanes, he knew he would have a tougher challenge reaching the next steps due to COVID times. With many uncertain moments and having a pregnant wife, he did not know where his hockey career would end up next.
As an Orland Park, Illinois native, he always dreamed of playing with the team he watched growing up. Now, his dreams are coming true.
"[I was] given the chance just to even put this jersey on in a preseason game was kind of something I look forward to and kind of figured hey, why not? And you know, see where it goes and happy I stuck with it," Gust said.
Head coach Luke Richardson stated on Friday that the forward won't make his NHL debut against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday but hopes to have him ready by Monday against the Anaheim Ducks.
As the 29-year-old continues to join the team for practice, Richardson knows that Gust can handle the new team with more maturity while taking advantage of the new situation.
"I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do," Richardson said. "He kind of reminds me of [Cole] Guttman. I remember at training camp, they kind of play the same a little bit, I think he might have a little bit more edginess to them."