Luke Kunin Bio
Luke Kunin is an American professional ice hockey player who serves as a center for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on December 4, 1997, in Chesterfield, Missouri, Kunin was selected 15th overall by the Minnesota Wild in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. Over his NHL career, he has played for the Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators, San Jose Sharks, Columbus Blue Jackets, and now the Florida Panthers. Beyond his professional achievements, Kunin is known for his advocacy work for Type 1 diabetes research, having established the Luke Kunin T1D Fund in 2021 to support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Early Life and Background
Luke Kunin was born to Mark and Sheri Kunin in Chesterfield, Missouri. He began playing minor ice hockey for a youth affiliate of the St. Louis Blues, where he was coached by former NHL players including Keith Tkachuk, Jeff Brown, Al MacInnis, and Jamie Rivers. Kunin attended the Whitfield School for one year before joining the USA Hockey National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, Michigan. During his time in the NTDP, he scored 27 goals and 42 points in 61 games during his second season.
When Kunin was in sixth grade, he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Rather than letting the diagnosis hinder his ambitions, he found inspiration in professional hockey player B. J. Crombeen, who also managed the condition while playing professionally. Kunin also leaned on his older brother Nick for support as he learned to manage his diabetes while pursuing his hockey career. Notably, Kunin finished high school in only three years, allowing him to begin his college hockey career at the age of 17.
Path to Professional Hockey
Kunin committed to playing college ice hockey for the Wisconsin Badgers starting in the 2015-16 season. Despite being the youngest skater on the team, he led the Badgers with 18 goals and 33 points that season, earning the only spot on the 2016 All-Big Ten Freshmen Team. His performance demonstrated his maturity, skating skill, and shooting abilities despite playing against older collegiate athletes.
Prior to the 2016-17 season, Kunin was named captain of the Badgers, becoming the first sophomore to captain the team since 1975-76. That season, he again led Wisconsin in scoring with 22 goals and 38 points, earning All-Big Ten Second Team honors and a spot on the 2017 Big Ten All-Tournament Team. The American Hockey Coaches Association also named him a Division I Second Team All-American for the West Region. His leadership and two-way play prepared him for the transition to professional hockey.
Luke Kunin Career
Minnesota Wild (2017-2020)
Kunin signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Minnesota Wild on March 23, 2017, and spent the remainder of the 2016-17 season with the Iowa Wild, Minnesota’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate. He made his NHL debut during the 2017-18 season home opener against the Columbus Blue Jackets. During that season, he became the first player in Wild franchise history to score his first NHL goal while short-handed. He was selected for the 2018 AHL All-Star Classic as the only representative from Iowa. However, his rookie season ended prematurely when he suffered a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in March 2018.
After recovering from ACL surgery, Kunin returned for the 2018-19 season and began establishing himself as a regular NHL player. By mid-November of the 2019-20 season, he found chemistry with Jordan Greenway and Joel Eriksson Ek, forming a line affectionately called the “GEEK Squad.” Before the COVID-19 pandemic suspended play, Kunin had recorded 15 goals and 16 assists in 63 games, helping the Wild secure a playoff berth.
Nashville Predators (2020-2022)
On October 7, 2020, the Wild traded Kunin and a draft pick to the Nashville Predators in exchange for Nick Bonino and two draft picks. After a slow start dealing with injuries, Kunin finished the 2020-21 season on a scoring streak. He recorded double-overtime victories and helped Nashville clinch a playoff berth. During the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Kunin scored both the first and final goals in Game 4 against the Carolina Hurricanes, with the game-winner coming in double overtime. Nashville ultimately lost the series in six games.
The 2021-22 season saw Kunin record a Gordie Howe hat trick on his birthday, December 4, 2021, against the Montreal Canadiens. Despite playing all 82 regular-season games, his offensive production dipped to 13 goals and 22 points, and his 99 penalty minutes ranked third on the team.
San Jose Sharks (2022-2025)
Kunin was traded to the San Jose Sharks on July 8, 2022, in exchange for forward John Leonard and a third-round draft pick. He signed a two-year, $5.5 million contract shortly after. During the 2022-23 season, he suffered another season-ending ACL injury in December, limiting him to five goals and 13 points in 31 games. The following season showed his resilience as he appeared in 77 games, recording 11 goals and 18 points while leading all Sharks forwards with 165 hits. He served as an alternate captain and was named the Sharks’ nominee for the 2024 King Clancy Memorial Trophy for his work with Breakthrough T1D.
Columbus Blue Jackets and Florida Panthers (2025-Present)
On March 7, 2025, the Sharks traded Kunin to the Columbus Blue Jackets for a fourth-round draft pick as the team pushed for the playoffs. While the Blue Jackets ultimately missed the postseason, Kunin gained valuable experience with his fifth NHL organization. Following the season, he signed a one-year, $775,000 contract with the defending champion Florida Panthers on August 22, 2025, joining his wife’s former teammate Abby Roque’s organization.
Driving Style and Strengths
Kunin is known as a versatile two-way center who excels in defensive situations while maintaining the ability to contribute offensively. His checking-line versatility allows him to play against opponents’ top lines while also generating scoring opportunities. His physical presence, particularly in forechecking and board battles, makes him valuable on a depth line. His resilience, demonstrated through multiple comebacks from ACL injuries, exemplifies his mental toughness and dedication to the sport.
Notable Events and Milestones
Kunin’s career has included several memorable moments, including becoming the first Wild player to score a short-handed goal in his NHL debut. His double-overtime game-winner against the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2021 playoffs stands as one of his most dramatic performances. He also achieved a Gordie Howe hat trick during his time with Nashville, demonstrating his all-around game. His international career includes three consecutive gold medals with Team USA at the youth level, including captaining the 2017 World Junior Championship team.
Luke Kunin Career Wins
Throughout his career, Kunin has accumulated wins across both professional and international competitions. While individual game victories are numerous, his most significant accomplishments include international gold medals and playoff victories at the NHL level.
International Highlights
Kunin has represented the United States at multiple international tournaments, beginning with the World U-17 Hockey Challenge in 2014, where he served as alternate captain and won gold. He captained the team to another gold medal at the 2015 IIHF World U18 Championship. Most notably, he captained Team USA to gold at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship, becoming the third Badger to captain a World Juniors championship team, following Derek Stepan and Jake McCabe. He later played for the senior national team at the 2019 and 2024 IIHF World Championships.
Other Achievements
At the collegiate level, Kunin earned numerous accolades including All-Big Ten Freshman Team, All-Big Ten Second Team, Big Ten All-Tournament Team, and Division I Second Team All-American honors during his two seasons with Wisconsin. At the AHL level, he was selected to the 2018 AHL All-Star Classic representing the Iowa Wild.
Luke Kunin Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Kunin was born to Mark and Sheri Kunin in Chesterfield, Missouri. His older brother Nick had a hockey career that was cut short by a series of concussions, but he remained supportive of Luke’s development throughout his journey. Their family environment fostered a love for hockey, with Luke having the advantage of learning from and playing alongside future NHL players during his youth.
Personal Life
Kunin is married to Sophia Shaver, a former Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) player whom he met while both were playing college hockey at the University of Wisconsin. The couple married in 2023, with several NHL players and their families attending the wedding, including Brady and Matthew Tkachuk and Marcus Foligno. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they adopted a French Bulldog named Rocco. Kunin is of Jewish heritage and continues to manage his Type 1 diabetes while maintaining his professional hockey career, frequently checking his blood sugar and taking insulin before games.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a significant transition for Kunin as he joined his sixth NHL organization. After a brief stint with the Columbus Blue Jackets following the mid-season trade from San Jose, he signed with the Florida Panthers in August 2025. The move to Florida presents a new opportunity for Kunin to contribute to a defending championship team while continuing to serve as a leader in the locker room. His experience and two-way game align well with the Panthers’ competitive roster. As he enters the 2025-26 season, Kunin aims to establish himself as a reliable depth center while continuing his advocacy work for Type 1 diabetes research through his foundation.