Blackhawks forward almost quit hockey as a whole this summer
David Gust has had a long journey through his professional hockey career. Gust went undrafted and carved his way through the AHL, bouncing around from team to team just trying to find someone willing to give him a shot in the NHL.
Gust played for 3 different franchise affiliates in the AHL in the 5 seasons following the 2018 NHL draft in which he went undrafted. Gust considered giving up on his life long dream after failing to appear in a single NHL game. Gust was getting ready to hang up the skates to pursue different opportunities in life after hockey, but then the Blackhawks came calling.
While the Blackhawks were only offering Gust an AHL deal, they expressed to him that they would do their best to get him on a NHL deal by the end of the season, giving him his first shot in the NHL. Gust has been tearing it up in Rockford this season. Gust has skated in 51 games and has tallied 50 points in those contests. Gust was more than deserving of a chance in the NHL, and is finally getting his shot.
Gust's deal is for two years, which will allow him a full season to prove his worth to the rebuilding Blackhawks. Gust should have plenty of opportunity to contribute for the Blackhawks following the trade deadline. Gust is 29 years old, so its unclear if he can establish himself as a piece of the future or if he can play well enough to chase a Stanley Cup. Hopefully Gust can keep up his momentum and get a chance to continue to live out his dream.
| POLL | ||
Do you think Gust can be a permanent fit on the Blackhawks? | ||
| Yes | 82 | 62.6 % |
| No | 49 | 37.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
