It’s hard to forget your first NHL locker room. It’s also hard to forget that initial feeling of nerves and excitement – especially when you’re now teammates with the likes of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
“Talk about intimidation,” Jake Guentzel recalled with a laugh of his NHL debut with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Nov. 21, 2016. “But the guys were great. I think Phil Kessel, who I knew a little bit from when he played for my dad (at the University of Minnesota) said something like, ‘Don’t worry kid, just get me the puck’ kind of joking and that calmed me down a bit.”
Two goals on his first two shots in front of his family also helped calm the nerves. A Stanley Cup to close out his rookie season also didn’t hurt.
Nowadays, Guentzel rarely gets nervous. Nine professional hockey seasons later and sitting just nine points shy of 500 in his career, Guentzel’s ready to embark on a new adventure in Tampa, Florida.
After spending eight seasons with the Penguins, who selected the forward in the third round (77th overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft, the 30-year-old was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes this past March. It was the first time in his professional career that he had to switch teams.
Off To Carolina
“Carolina was great,” said Guentzel, who scored 25 points (8G, 17A) in 17 games with Carolina. “I knew a couple of guys, Brady Skjei, who helped out a ton. There were a lot of good friendships made, and the coaching staff was unbelievable, so I’m really grateful for my time there.”
On June 30, the eve of free agency, Guentzel was on the move once again as the Hurricanes traded him to the Lightning in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.
Ride The Lightning
“Last year as a whole was just kind of different for me,” said Guentzel. “Going through the trade deadline for the first time, and in general not really being sure what was going to happen, it was interesting.
“Now with Tampa, they have a winning pedigree, with a lot of high-end and elite players, so it’s going to be an unbelievable opportunity for me and my family to just kind of do something on our own. It’s going to be fun, and challenging, but it’s something I’m really looking forward to.”
Guentzel’s 3 Tips For Transitioning To A New Team
Guentzel understands there can be plenty of nerves for kids at the youth level who also have to transition to a new team. He offered up these three tips for kids attempting to navigate a new locker room, team and potentially playing style.
1. Bring Your Confidence
“Always trust yourself.”
That’s Guentzel’s biggest piece of advice to younger hockey players in any situation, but especially to a player switching teams.
“It might be hard at times, but most things are,” Guentzel added. “Just never lose that faith and trust in yourself or your game. You’ve gotten to wherever you are—no matter the level—because of your hard work and trust in the game. Carry that confidence with you.”
2. Play Your Game
“Every new coach I’ve ever had, whether it be in college, juniors or high school, they always have a way of reminding you to play your game,” said Guentzel. “It’s easy to overthink sometimes and maybe stray a bit from the way you play, but you have to try really hard not to.”
If your success is winning battles in the corners, go out and do that. If it’s the victories at the dot or being a stay-at-home-defenseman, stick to your bread and butter. Play the game you know how to play and the one you’re most comfortable with to see success.
3. Have Some Fun
The game of hockey at its core is all about having fun.
“You’re all out there to do the same thing, and that is to do your best to help your team win,” said Guentzel. “And at every level, you’re going to have fun doing that with your teammates. Try not to lose sight of that.”
Because even while you might be on a team with new faces, it’s still just the game of hockey. And that’s pretty great.