Jake Guentzel

File:Jake Guentzel (16552137850).jpg in 2015]]

Born in Omaha, Nebraska{{cite news|last1=Boone|first1=Tony|title=Guentzel's hockey career winds up down the street from where he was born|url=https://omaha.com/eedition/sunrise/articles/mav-is-back-where-it-all-started/article_36ea8e48-8c01-5d61-ba36-ae1ce771f7a2.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208222915/https://omaha.com/eedition/sunrise/articles/mav-is-back-where-it-all-started/article_36ea8e48-8c01-5d61-ba36-ae1ce771f7a2.html|archivedate=December 8, 2021|access-date=November 22, 2016|work=Omaha World-Herald|date=November 14, 2015}} on October 6, 1994, Guentzel grew up in Woodbury, Minnesota. He played two years of varsity hockey at Hill-Murray School in Maplewood, Minnesota, with the school's team finishing second in the 2012 MN State Hockey Tournament.{{cite web | url = https://www.mnhockeyhub.com/game/show/3053566?subseason=67515 | title =Hill-Murray 1–5 Benilde-St. Margaret's |website=MN Boys' Hockey Hub | access-date =January 30, 2020}} He then joined by the Sioux City Musketeers of the United States Hockey League (USHL) for the 2012–13 season, recording 29 goals, 44 assists for 73 points in 60 games.{{cite web |url=https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=160569 |title=Jake Guentzel |website=hockeydb.com |access-date=March 21, 2025}} He finished sixth overall in the league in scoring and was voted the USHL Rookie of the Year as well as being named to the USHL All-Rookie Team.{{cite press release |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/guentzel-named-to-2013-ushl-all-rookie-team/n-4598711 |title=Guentzel Named to 2013 USHL All-Rookie Team |publisher=Sioux City Musketeers |date=May 21, 2013 |access-date=March 24, 2025 |via=OurSportsCentral.com}} He was also named to the league's Second All-Star Team.{{cite web |url=https://siouxcityjournal.com/sports/hockey/amateur/musketeers/guentzel-makes-all-ushl-second-team/article_3267a3f4-99c1-5d22-86c5-0680411bc261.html |title=Guentzel makes All-USHL second team |work=Sioux City Journal |date=May 22, 2013 |access-date=March 24, 2025 |url-access=subscription}}

Having committed to play for the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO), a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I college hockey program, he joined them for the 2013–14 season. In his freshman year with the Omaha Mavericks, Guentzel was named to the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) Academic All-Conference Team, the NCHC All-Conference Rookie Team and was a finalist for NCHC Rookie of the Year.{{cite web |title=Jake Guentzel |url=https://omavs.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3711 |publisher=Omaha Mavericks |access-date=March 21, 2025}} He recorded seven goals and 34 points in 37 games with the Mavericks that season. In his sophomore season in 2014–15, he helped guide the Mavericks to their first showing in the Frozen Four, scoring the team's only goal in a 4–1 loss to the Providence Friars.{{cite web |url=https://www.klkntv.com/uno-falls-to-providence-in-frozen-four/ |title=UNO falls to Providence in Frozen Four |work=KLKN |agency=Associated Press |last=Ward |first=Andrew |date=April 9, 2015 |access-date=March 21, 2025}} He finished the season with 14 goals and 39 points in 36 games as the team's leading scorer. On August 27, 2015, before Guentzel's junior year in 2015–16, he was named a co-captain along with Brian Cooper after a vote by the team.{{cite web |title=Cooper, Guentzel Named Hockey Captains |url=https://omavs.com/news/2015/8/27/210296744.aspx?path=mhockey |publisher=Omaha Mavericks |access-date=December 10, 2018 |date=August 27, 2015}} He appeared in 35 games, marking 19 goals and 46 points, finishing as the team's leading scorer for the second consecutive year. He was named an NCHC Scholar-Athlete and a member of the NCHC Academic All-Conference Team along with being named to the NCHC All-Conference Second Team. He decided to forego his senior year with UNO to turn professional.{{cite web |url=https://omaha.com/sports/college/uno/unos-jake-guentzel-leaves-his-best-years-behind-to-pursue-his-dream-of-playing-in/article_c7dee313-af00-56f6-b469-43ff785d67dc.html |title=UNO's Jake Guentzel leaves his 'best' years behind to pursue his dream of playing in the NHL |work=Omaha World-Herald |last=Boone |first=Tony |date=March 22, 2016 |access-date=March 21, 2025 |url-access=subscription}}

Guentzel was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the third round, 77th overall, of the 2013 NHL entry draft.{{cite magazine |url=https://thehockeynews.com/hockey-history/star-winger-jake-guentzel-has-been-major-part-of-lightnings-success-this-year |title=Struck by Lightning |last=Schram |first=Carol |magazine=The Hockey News |volume=78 |issue=2 |date=September 9, 2024 |access-date=March 21, 2025}} He first signed an amateur tryout contract with Pittsburgh's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (WBS Penguins) in March 2016 and helped them qualify for the 2016 Calder Cup playoffs. He finished the regular season making 11 appearances with WBS, scoring two goals and six points. The Penguins advanced to the second round, where they were eliminated by the Hershey Bears in their best-of-seven series. In ten playoff games, Guentzel added five goals and 14 points, leading the team in playoff scoring. Guentzel signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins on May 23, 2016.{{cite web |url = https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/penguins-sign-forward-jake-guentzel-to-a-three-year-entry-level-contract/c-883637 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161124093452/https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/penguins-sign-forward-jake-guentzel-to-a-three-year-entry-level-contract/c-883637 |archive-date=November 24, 2016 | title = Penguins sign forward Jake Guentzel to three-year entry-level deal | publisher = Pittsburgh Penguins |via=NHL.com | date = May 23, 2016 | access-date = May 23, 2016}}

File:Jake Guentzel and Kris Letang 2017-06-11 2.jpg, and Kris Letang celebrating the Penguins' Stanley Cup win in 2017]]

Guentzel began the 2016–17 season in the AHL.{{cite web |url=https://www.timesleader.com/sports/594549/pittsburgh-penguins-send-carter-rowney-jake-guentzel-to-wilkes-barrescranton |title=Pittsburgh Penguins send Carter Rowney, Jake Guentzel to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton |work=Times Leader |date=October 7, 2016 |access-date=March 21, 2025}} He was recalled by Pittsburgh on November 16, 2016, after an injury to Chris Kunitz.{{cite web |url=https://www.wbspenguins.com/pittsburgh-recalls-jake-guentzel/ |title=Pittsburgh Recalls Jake Guentzel |publisher=Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins |date=November 16, 2016 |access-date=March 21, 2025}} Guentzel made his NHL debut on November 21, against the New York Rangers; he scored two goals on his first two shots.{{cite web|last1=Guentzel|first1=Jake|title=Kesselmania Runs Wild|url=https://www.theplayerstribune.com/jake-guentzel-kesselmania-runs-wild/|website=The Players' Tribune|access-date=May 13, 2017|date=May 12, 2017}} Despite this, the Penguins lost the game 5–2.{{cite news|last1=Tasch|first1=Justin|title=Rangers score five unanswered goals to pound Penguins, 5–2|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/hockey/rangers/rangers-score-unanswered-goals-pound-penguins-5-2-article-1.2882769|access-date=November 22, 2016|work=New York Daily News|date=November 21, 2016}} He appeared in five games for Pittsburgh, recording three goals and four points before being returned to WBS on December 16.{{cite web |url=https://www.wbspenguins.com/1502/ |title=Guentzel, Pouliot Return to Wilkes-Barre |publisher=Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins |date=December 16, 2016 |access-date=March 21, 2025}} Guentzel was selected for the 2017 AHL All-Star Classic alongside teammate Tristan Jarry.{{cite web |url=https://theahl.com/news/rosters-set-2017-ahl-all-star-classic |title=Rosters set for 2017 AHL All-Star Classic |publisher=American Hockey League |date=January 5, 2017 |access-date=March 21, 2025}} Pittsburgh recalled him again on January 17, 2017, after he recorded 21 goals and 42 points in 33 games in the AHL.{{cite web |url=https://www.wbspenguins.com/guentzel-ruhwedel-recalled-by-pittsburgh/ |title=Guentzel, Ruhwedel Recalled by Pittsburgh |publisher=Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins |date=January 17, 2017 |access-date=March 21, 2025}} On March 21, Guentzel suffered a concussion on a check from Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen. He missed the next four games, while Ristolainen was suspended by the league for three games.{{cite web |first=Brandon |last=Schlager |title=Sabres' Rasmus Ristolainen gets three-game ban for hit on Penguins' Jake Guentzel |url=http://www.sportingnews.com/nhl/news/rasmus-ristolainen-suspension-length-details-jake-guentzel-hit-video-sabres-penguins/1j2zevbmli9w31cig3xnymn7yj |work=The Sporting News |access-date=September 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170327235421/http://www.sportingnews.com/nhl/news/rasmus-ristolainen-suspension-length-details-jake-guentzel-hit-video-sabres-penguins/1j2zevbmli9w31cig3xnymn7yj |archive-date=March 27, 2017}} He finished the season with Pittsburgh, scoring 16 goals and 33 points in 40 games total. The Penguins qualified for the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs and faced the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first round. On April 16, he scored a hat-trick, which included the game-winning goal in overtime, to put the Penguins up 3–0 in their series against the Blue Jackets. He became the first Penguins rookie to score a playoff hat-trick, and only the second rookie in NHL history to score a hat-trick and overtime goal in the same game of the playoffs.{{cite news |first=Michelle |last=Crechiolo |date=April 16, 2017 |title=The Inside Scoop: Guentzel's Goals |url=https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/the-inside-scoop-guentzels-goals/c-288851674 |via=NHL.com |publisher=Pittsburgh Penguins |access-date=April 16, 2017}} On June 11, 2017, the Penguins won the Stanley Cup after defeating the Nashville Predators in six games. During the run, Guentzel recorded 21 points, tying Dino Ciccarelli and Ville Leino for points by a rookie in a single postseason. His total of 13 goals was one shy of Ciccarelli's record.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/jake-guentzel-ties-rookie-record-for-playoff-points/c-289848894 |title=Jake Guentzel of Penguins ties rookie record for playoff points |last=Campbell |first=Tim |date=June 9, 2017 |website=NHL.com |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=December 3, 2017}} He was also named to the AHL's 2017 All-Rookie Team alongside teammate Casey DeSmith.{{cite web |url=https://www.wbspenguins.com/casey-desmith-jake-guentzel-named-to-ahl-all-rookie-team/ |title=Penguins Casey DeSmith and Jake Guentzel Named to AHL's All-Rookie Team |publisher=Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins |date=April 17, 2017 |access-date=March 24, 2025}}

Guentzel began the 2017–18 season in the NHL, putting up a career high 48 points in 82 games to help the Penguins qualify for the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs. During the first round of the playoffs, Guentzel recorded four goals in an 8–5 Game 6 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.{{cite web |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/ca/nhl/news/nhl-playoffs-2018-jake-guentzel-four-goals-pittsburgh-penguins-philadelphia-flyers-game-6-watch-video-highlights/1lc4e6i3dz4p719e7mscudbjm9 |title=NHL playoffs 2018: Jake Guentzel scores four goals to help Penguins eliminate Flyers |last=Arlia |first=John |work=The Sporting News |date=April 22, 2018 |access-date=March 21, 2025}} He became the third Penguins player to record four goals in a playoff game, behind Mario Lemieux and Kevin Stevens.{{cite tweet |user=penguins |author=Pittsburgh Penguins |number=988170732797652993|date=April 22, 2018 |title=Guentzel has recorded just the third four-goal game in Penguins playoff history. The others? Mario Lemieux on 04.25.89 (five goals) and Kevin Stevens on 05.21.91.}} Advancing past the Flyers, they were eliminated by the Washington Capitals in six games in their best-of-seven series.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/2018-nhl-playoffs-five-reasons-the-pittsburgh-penguins-were-eliminated-by-the-washington-capitals/ |title=2018 NHL Playoffs: Five reasons the Pittsburgh Penguins were eliminated by the Washington Capitals |work=CBS Sports |last=Blackburn |first=Pete |date=May 8, 2018 |access-date=March 24, 2025}} In 12 playoff games, Guentzel scored ten goals and 21 points.

File:Jake Guentzel and family 2017-06-11.jpg

The 2018–19 season marked the last year Guentzel was on his entry level rookie contract. The Penguins began the season with a slow start, landing near the bottom of the league in early November.{{cite web |last1=Gretz |first1=Adam |title=Obviously unhappy GM rips Penguins' slow start |url=https://nhl.nbcsports.com/2018/11/07/obviously-unhappy-gm-rips-penguins-slow-start/ |website=NBC Sports |access-date=November 25, 2018 |date=November 7, 2018}} On November 24, 2018, Guentzel recorded his first regular season hat trick in a 4–2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets.{{cite web |last1=Crosby |first1=Wes |title=Guentzel hat trick sparks Penguins past Blue Jackets |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/columbus-blue-jackets-pittsburgh-penguins-game-recap/c-302256904 |website=NHL.com |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=November 25, 2018 |date=November 24, 2018}} The following month, on December 27, the Penguins re-signed Guentzel to a five-year, $30 million contract.{{cite web |last1=Johnston |first1=Mike |title=Penguins sign Jake Guentzel to big five-year contract extension|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/penguins-sign-jake-guentzel-big-five-year-contract-extension/|website=Sportsnet |access-date=December 27, 2018 |date=December 27, 2018}} Guentzel recorded his second regular season hat trick in a 7–4 win over the Anaheim Ducks on January 11, 2019.{{cite web |last1= Arritt |first1=Dan |title=Ducks lose 10th straight game after Penguins score seven |url=https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/pittsburgh-penguins-anaheim-ducks-game-recap/c-303798834|website=NHL.com |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=January 12, 2019 |date=January 12, 2019}} His hat trick was the first by a Penguins player ever against the Anaheim Ducks.{{cite tweet|user=SethRorabaugh |last=Rorabaugh |first=Seth |number=1083961834254880768|date=January 11, 2019|title=Jake Guentzel recorded the Penguins' first hat trick in franchise history against the Ducks. The Penguins' last hat trick in California was recorded by Ron Francis in a 9-1 win at San Jose, Nov. 10, 1995.}} After a two-goal game the following night against the Los Angeles Kings, Guentzel was named the NHL's Third Star of the Week.{{cite web |title=Giordano leads 3 Stars of the Week |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/mark-giordano-jordan-binnington-jake-guentzel-named-nhl-3-stars/c-303874406 |website=NHL.com |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=January 14, 2019 |date=January 14, 2019}} He recorded a four-point game on March 2, scoring two goals and adding two assists in a 5–1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap/_/gameId/401045323 |title=Guentzel, Crosby power Penguins past Canadiens 5-1 |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |date=March 2, 2019 |access-date=March 24, 2025}} He finished the regular season with 40 goals and 76 points in 82 games. The Penguins made the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs and faced the New York Islanders in the first round.{{cite web |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/2019-stanley-cup-playoff-preview-penguins-vs-islanders/ |title=2019 Stanley Cup Playoff Preview: Penguins vs. Islanders |work=Sportsnet |last=Johnston |first=Mike |date=April 7, 2019 |access-date=March 24, 2025}} However, the first line, of which Guentzel and linemate Sidney Crosby were the key components, failed to score, and the Penguins were eliminated in a four-game sweep.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/why-pittsburgh-penguins-were-eliminated-from-stanley-cup-playoffs-306837358 |title=Penguins' lack of offense from key forwards led to playoff elimination |work=NHL.com |publisher=National Hockey League |last=Crosby |first=Wes |date=April 17, 2019 |access-date=March 24, 2025}} Guentzel scored just once in the series.

In the 2019–20 season, Guentzel put up 20 goals and 43 points in 39 games for the Penguins, and was voted in to play in the 2020 NHL All-Star Game.{{cite web |title=Jake Guentzel Selected to Play in the 2020 NHL All-Star Game |url=https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/jake-guentzel-selected-to-play-in-the-2020-nhl-all-star-game/c-313242692 |publisher=Pittsburgh Penguins |via=NHL.com |access-date=January 1, 2020 |date=December 30, 2019}} On December 30, 2019, Guentzel recorded his 200th career point as he scored a goal against the Ottawa Senators. However, immediately after scoring the goal, Guentzel tripped over the stick of Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot, and crashed shoulder first into the boards behind the net. The next day, Guentzel underwent successful shoulder surgery that sidelined him for six months.{{cite web |title=Penguins F Guentzel out four-to-six months |url=https://www.tsn.ca/pittsburgh-penguins-f-jake-guentzel-out-four-to-six-months-1.1420580 |website=TSN |access-date=January 1, 2020 |date=December 31, 2019}} Guentzel was expected to miss the remainder of the season, but with the NHL pushing the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs into early August due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he was able to recover and join his teammates for the postseason.{{cite web |title=Training camp preview: Injured players returning in Eastern Conference |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-players-returning-from-injury-in-eastern-conference/c-317352126 |website=NHL.com |publisher=National Hockey League |last=Compton |first=Brian |access-date=July 27, 2020 |date=July 9, 2020}} Despite a healthy Guentzel available to the team, the heavily favored Penguins were upset by the Montreal Canadiens in the Qualifying Round of the tournament in four games.{{cite web |last1=Rossi |first1=Rob |last2=Yohe |first2=Josh |title=Inside the Penguins' collapse and the big changes still to come |url=https://theathletic.com/1992907/2020/08/13/inside-the-penguins-collapse-and-the-big-changes-that-still-remain/ |website=The Athletic |access-date=December 8, 2021 |date=August 13, 2020 |url-access=subscription}} Guentzel recorded a goal and three points in the series.

The 2020–21 season was shortened due to the ongoing effects of the pandemic. In the 56-game season, Guentzel continued to score at a blistering pace. For the second straight season, Guenztel finished at a point-per-game production rate with 23 goals and 57 points that season.{{cite web |title=Penguins' Jake Guentzel to make season debut vs. Panthers |url=https://theathletic.com/news/penguins-jake-guentzel-to-make-season-debut-vs-panthers/spabajWAh0OX/ |website=The Athletic |last1=Yohe |first1=Josh |last2=Kurz |first2=Kevin |access-date=December 8, 2021 |date=October 14, 2021 |url-access=subscription}} Pittsburgh once again fell to the New York Islanders in the first round of the following postseason, where he and his linemates struggled to produce. He scored only one goal and two points as the Penguins were eliminated in six games.{{cite web |last1=Rossi |first1=Rob |last2=Gentille |first2=Sean |last3=Yohe |first3=Josh |title=Penguins report cards: Sidney Crosby's line delivers a dud in Game 6 loss to Islanders |url=https://theathletic.com/2616006/2021/05/26/penguins-report-cards-sidney-crosbys-line-delivers-a-dud-in-game-6-loss-to-islanders/ |website=The Athletic |access-date=December 8, 2021 |date=May 26, 2021 |url-access=subscription}}

In the 2021–22 season, the league returned to its usual 82-game format. Although he missed the season opener against the Tampa Bay Lightning due to the NHL's COVID-19 protocol, he made his season debut against the Florida Panthers on October 14 in a 5–4 overtime loss. He once again posted high production numbers through November 2021, scoring 15 points through the Penguins' November 14 games. From November 13 against the Ottawa Senators until December 6 in the Penguins' first ever game against the expansion Seattle Kraken, Guenztel amassed a 13-game point streak where he collected a total of 12 goals and 19 points overall.{{cite web |title=Jake Guentzel Game by Game Stats and Performance |url= https://www.espn.com/nhl/player/gamelog/_/id/3042083/jake-guentzel |website=ESPN |access-date=December 8, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211204143213/https://www.espn.com/nhl/player/gamelog/_/id/3042083/jake-guentzel |archive-date=December 4, 2021}} In the twelfth game, he scored a hat trick and an assist against the Vancouver Canucks in a 4–1 victory.{{cite web |last1=Woodley |first1=Kevin |title=Guentzel has hat trick, assist for Penguins in victory against Canucks |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/pittsburgh-penguins-vancouver-canucks-game-recap/c-328474798 |website=NHL.com |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=December 8, 2021 |date=December 5, 2021}} In the thirteenth game, Guentzel left the game against Seattle after blocking a shot with his right hand in the first period. Although he returned to the game and scored two goals and an assist in the 6–1 victory, the streak ended as head coach Mike Sullivan ruled him out for a few weeks on December 8.{{cite web |last1=Defabo |first1=Mike |title=Jake Guentzel out 'week-to-week' with upper body injury |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2021/12/08/Jake-Guentzel-Jason-Zucker-absent-from-Penguins-practice/stories/202112080131 |website=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |access-date=December 8, 2021 |date=December 8, 2021}}

File:Guentzel hat trick.jpg with Penguins teammates at PPG Paints Arena. Fans are throwing hats on the ice in celebration.]]

Guentzel's finish to the season was another 40-goal campaign, capped off by another hat trick against the Boston Bruins.{{cite web |last1=Rorabaugh |first1=Seth |title=Penguins forward Jake Guentzel reaches 40-goal mark again |url=https://triblive.com/sports/penguins-forward-jake-guentzel-reaches-the-40-goal-mark-again/ |website=Pittsburgh Tribune-Review |access-date=May 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220423072743/https://triblive.com/sports/penguins-forward-jake-guentzel-reaches-the-40-goal-mark-again/ |archive-date=April 23, 2022 |date=April 22, 2022}} However, despite holding a 3-1 series lead over the New York Rangers in the first round of the postseason and Guentzel's eight goals through the series, the Rangers rallied to eliminate the Penguins in seven games.{{cite web |last1=Crosby |first1=Wes |title=Penguins out due to Jarry injury, failure to close series against Rangers |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/pittsburgh-penguins-eliminated-from-stanley-cup-playoffs/c-334119896 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=May 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517010439/https://www.nhl.com/news/pittsburgh-penguins-eliminated-from-stanley-cup-playoffs/c-334119896 |archive-date=May 17, 2022 |date=May 16, 2022}}

In the 2022–23 season, Guentzel remained on the Penguins first line for 78 games of the season. Guentzel fell just short of his previous season's 40-goal mark, finishing with 36 goals and 37 assists. This season was also the first time in his career with the Penguins that he did not make a postseason appearance, as the Penguins failed to make the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since 2006.{{Cite web |title=Jake Guentzel Stats And News |url=https://www.nhl.com/penguins/player/jake-guentzel-8477404 |access-date=March 8, 2024 |website=NHL.com |publisher=National Hockey League}}

On March 7, 2024, while on the injured reserve list, Guentzel was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes, along with Ty Smith, in exchange for Michael Bunting, Ville Koivunen, prospect Cruz Lucius, Vasili Ponomaryov, and two conditional 2024 draft picks.{{cite web |title=Canes Acquire Guentzel, Smith From Penguins |url=https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/canes-acquire-guentzel-smith-from-penguins |website=NHL.com |date=March 7, 2024 |access-date=March 7, 2024}} He was activated on March 12 making his Carolina debut against the New York Rangers,{{cite web |title=Guentzel likely to make Hurricanes debut against Rangers |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/jake-guentzel-carolina-debut |website=NHL.com |access-date=March 28, 2024 |date=March 12, 2024}} and scored his first goal with the Hurricanes on March 17 against the Ottawa Senators.{{cite web |title=Orlov records 4 points, Hurricanes score 4 goals in 3rd period for 7-2 win over Senators |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap/_/gameId/401560302 |website=ESPN |access-date=March 28, 2024 |date=March 17, 2024}} He finished the season with eight goals and 17 points in 25 games with the Hurricanes. The Hurricanes qualified for the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs and faced the New York Islanders in the first round. In Game 2 of the series, he registered a goal and an assist in a 5–3 win, aiding the comeback from a 3–0 deficit in the game.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/new-york-islanders-carolina-hurricanes-game-2-recap-april-22 |title=Hurricanes overwhelm Islanders, rally from 3 down to win Game 2 |publisher=National Hockey League |via=NHL.com |last=Dusterberg |first=Kurt |date=April 23, 2024 |access-date=March 24, 2025}} The Hurricanes eliminated the Islanders to move on to the next round, to face the other team from New York, the Rangers.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/new-york-islanders-carolina-hurricanes-game-5-recap-april-30 |title=Hurricanes recover, eliminate Islanders with win in Game 5 |last=Dusterberg |first=Kurt |publisher=National Hockey League |via=NHL.com |date=May 1, 2024 |access-date=March 24, 2025}} In Game 2 of the series against the Rangers, Guentzel scored twice, but it was not enough as the Hurricanes lost 4–3 in double overtime.{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/sports/nhl/rangers-hurricanes-game-2-score-result-2024-playoffs/5393781/ |title=Rangers top Hurricanes in Game 2 with power-play goal in 2OT |last1=Cherwoo |first=Vin A. |agency=Associated Press |work=WNBC |date=May 8, 2024 |access-date=March 24, 2025}} Ultimately, the Rangers eliminated the Hurricanes in six games.{{cite web |url=https://nypost.com/2024/05/16/sports/chris-kreider-hat-trick-completes-rangers-rally-to-eliminate-hurricanes/ |title=Chris Kreider hat trick completes wild Rangers rally to eliminate Hurricanes in Game 6 |work=New York Post |last=Walker |first=Mollie |date=May 16, 2024 |access-date=March 24, 2025}} In 11 playoff games, he scored four goals and nine points.

With his contract expiring in the 2024 offseason, Guentzel's rights were traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning on June 30, 2024, in exchange for a third-round pick in 2025.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/jake-guentzel-traded-to-tampa-bay-by-carolina |title=Guentzel traded to Lightning by Hurricanes for 3rd-round pick in 2025 Draft |website=NHL.com |date=June 30, 2024}} That same day, it was announced that he signed a seven-year, $63 million contract with Tampa Bay.{{cite web |url=https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning/latest-news/lightning-reportedly-reach-agreement-with-jake-guentzel |title=Lightning Sign Jake Guentzel to 7-Year Deal |work=The Hockey News |last=DeRosa |first=Michael |date=June 30, 2024 |access-date=March 24, 2025}}

Guentzel was selected to play for Team USA at the 4 Nations Face-Off, a round-robin tournament held in 2025.{{cite web |url=https://teamusa.usahockey.com/news_article/show/1325270 |title=U.S. Roster Named For 4 Nations Face-Off |publisher=USA Hockey |date=December 4, 2024 |access-date=March 24, 2025}} He made his international debut against Finland in Team USA's opening game of the tournament. A 6–1 victory for the Americans, he recorded a goal and an assist in the game.{{cite web |url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/lightning/2025/02/15/jake-guentzel-united-states-4-nations-finland-atlantic-division/ |title=Lightning’s Jake Guentzel shows he belongs with Team USA debut |work=Tampa Bay Times |last=Encina |first=Eduardo A. |date=February 15, 2025 |access-date=March 24, 2025}} In the next game against Canada, he scored two of the Americans' goals in a 3–1 win.{{cite web |url=https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/4-nations-former-penguins-star-leads-charge-in-usas-thrilling-3-1-victory-over-canada |title=4 Nations: Former Penguins Star Leads Charge In USA's Thrilling 3-1 Victory Over Canada |work=The Hockey News |last=Surmacz |first=Kelsey |date=February 16, 2025 |access-date=March 24, 2025}} Despite losing to Sweden in the next game, the Americans advanced to the tournament final, facing Canada.{{cite web |url=https://nypost.com/2025/02/17/sports/4-nations-depleted-team-usa-falls-to-sweden-as-injury-scares-mount-before-final/ |title=Depleted Team USA falls to Sweden as injury scares mount before facing Canada in 4 Nations final |last=Walker |first=Mollie |work=New York Post |date=February 18, 2025 |access-date=March 24, 2025}} The Canadians won the game 3–2 in overtime, with Team USA finishing second in the tournament.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/canada-united-states-4-nations-face-off-game-recap-february-20 |title=McDavid, Canada defeat U.S. in OT to win 4 Nations Face-Off |work=NHL.com |publisher=National Hockey League |date=February 21, 2025 |access-date=March 24, 2025}}

Guentzel comes from an ice hockey family.{{Cite web|url=http://www.minnesotahockeyjournal.com/news_article/show/124022?referrer_id=427765|title=All In The Family|website=Minnesota Hockey Journal|access-date=May 28, 2016|date=December 6, 2011|archive-date=June 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617114549/http://www.minnesotahockeyjournal.com/news_article/show/124022?referrer_id=427765|url-status=dead}} His father, Mike, was a standout athlete for Greenway High School in Coleraine, Minnesota, and subsequently played hockey for the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Later on Mike became the associate head coach at the University of Minnesota.{{Cite web|url=http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-hockey/mtt/mike_guentzel_763830.html|title=Mike Guentzel Bio |publisher=University of Minnesota Official Athletic Site |access-date=December 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126021859/http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-hockey/mtt/mike_guentzel_763830.html|archive-date=November 26, 2016|url-status=dead}} Guentzel was a stick boy for the team when future Penguins teammate Phil Kessel played for Minnesota.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/penguins-guentzel-shares-awesome-story-meeting-kessel-kid/|title=Penguins' Guentzel shares awesome story of meeting Kessel as a kid|last=Sadler|first=Emily|date=May 13, 2017|work=Sportsnet|access-date=December 3, 2017}} His older brother, Ryan, played collegiately and professionally.{{Cite web|url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-guentzel-935bb432|title=Ryan Guentzel |website=LinkedIn |access-date=December 3, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=384822|title=Ryan Guentzel|website=Eliteprospects.com|access-date=December 3, 2017}} Another older brother, Gabe, played in the North American Hockey League and the USHL before embarking on a four-year NCAA career at Colorado College.{{Cite web|title = Gabe Guentzel – 2011–2012 Men's Ice Hockey|url = http://cctigers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=1960 |publisher=Colorado College |access-date = December 3, 2016}}

Guentzel married his longtime girlfriend, Natalie Johnson, on July 30, 2021.{{cite news |title=Pittsburgh Penguins congratulate player Jake Guentzel on marriage |url=https://www.wpxi.com/sports/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/pens-congratulate-guentzel-marriage/PBIUX5G2TNC2PNUWC4MZFUFDRA/ |work=WXPI |date=August 18, 2021 |access-date=March 24, 2025}} The couple have one son.{{Cite web |title=Pittsburgh Penguins: Jake Guentzel welcomes a baby boy to his family |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/pittsburgh-penguins-jake-guentzel-welcomes-a-baby-boy-to-his-family/ |access-date=August 22, 2022 |website=CBS News |last=Behanna |first=Garrett |date=August 20, 2022}}

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Category:1994 births

Category:Living people

Category:American men's ice hockey left wingers

Category:American people of German descent

Category:Carolina Hurricanes players

Category:Ice hockey people from Nebraska

Category:Ice hockey players from Minnesota

Category:Omaha Mavericks men's ice hockey players

Category:Sportspeople from Woodbury, Minnesota

Category:Pittsburgh Penguins draft picks

Category:Pittsburgh Penguins players

Category:Sioux City Musketeers players

Category:Sportspeople from Omaha, Nebraska

Category:Stanley Cup champions

Category:Tampa Bay Lightning players

Category:University of Nebraska Omaha alumni

Category:Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins players

Category:21st-century American sportsmen

Category:4 Nations Face-Off players