That passion took Kucenski to the United States Hockey League, where he played 50 games with the Omaha Lancers and Madison Capitals from 2021-23. From there, he headed to upstate New York for three seasons (2023-26) at St. Lawrence University.
Last season, Kucenski appeared in 15 games and served as an alternate captain, becoming the first Saints netminder to do so since 2008.
“It was a huge honor to have a letter there,” Kucenski said of his time at St. Lawrence University. “When you get there as a freshman, it seems like you’re under the water a little bit, and everything that’s going on around you is crazy. But then you start to get your feet under you. As you go forward, you get used to it and realize you can show why you are in that position. Then you’re the one who is helping the new guys that come in.”
All that experience helped set the stage for what came next: a phone call from Detroit.
“This past summer, [Red Wings Director of Goaltending & Scouting Development] Brian Daccord called me,” Kucenski said. “He told me about what this kind of would be like and asked if I wanted to pursue an interview. Obviously, it was a quick yes from me. Then it kind of just rolled on from there.”
As part of the interview process, Kucenski also spoke with Red Wings Goaltending Coach Michael Leighton and Player Development Consultant Dwayne Blais.
“It eventually got to the point where it was the right fit,” Kucenski said. “It’s been awesome so far, and I’m thankful for everyone who helped me get here.”
Kucenski is one of several new faces inside Detroit’s dressing room this season, and he too has quickly been made to feel at home.
“All the guys have been great to me so far and they’ve all taken me in,” Kucenski said. “They’ve really been nice to me, showing me how to navigate the NHL. It was definitely a jump for me at first, but with these guys it was easy. And just having (John Gibson) and (Daniil Tarasov) to see their path and follow them, it’s been unreal.”
Head coach Todd McLellan — along with his coaching staff and the other Red Wings players — understands the EBUG job is a unique one, but it’s one of the many parts that make the team successful.
“He fits the group real well,” McLellan said of Kucenski. “He’s starting to get comfortable now. We really don’t even notice him, and I mean that in a really respectful way. He’s just quiet. He puts his gear on. He goes and does his work. The guys like him. Not an easy job. The odds of him getting into a game are very minimal, so guys fire pucks a little bit different than they do maybe against the guys who are in the game. He’s often the first to take them at the beginning of practice and after practice, but he’s in the NHL. So, good for him.”
Should his opportunity arrive, Kucenski will be prepared. Until it does, he refuses to take anything for granted.
“You really never know what could happen, but it’s an easy way for me to get momentum is by getting out on the ice early and staying out later,” Kucenski said. “It’s easy to know that you’re probably going to get some good shots from the guys at the beginning of practice, then you kind of cool down a little bit before getting right back after it at the end of practice. But it’s all just a mentality you got to have — just be ready.”
