PHN Chat: Guentzel Wins Practice, Talks of All-Star Hype

Jake Guentzel raised his arms and celebrated as if his lottery ticket hit the numbers. The Pittsburgh Penguins winger who scored 40 goals last season and has a pair of bejeweled championship rings, was the life of the party when his small group won the post-practice shooter-tutor drill.

No Cups were awarded and apparently, no prizes were either. But that didn’t dampen Guentzel’s enthusiasm or his ownership of it after the fact.

Guentzel is one of the more media-shy members of the Pittsburgh Penguins. He grew up as a coach’s son and knows how to avoid the prying microphones and intrusive questions. So, PHN approached with care.

In a quick chat with PHN, Guentzel let his guard down. He ready to laugh about his celebrations, talk about the All-Star hype around him and if he has chirped his usual linemate Sidney Crosby about the number of goals Guentzel and Evgeni Malkin have scored in Crosby’s absence.

“Ha, no, not at all,” Guentzel smiled to the possibility of teasing Crosby, who is recovering from core muscle surgery.

*The full locker room interview is included with the story.