Blackhawks’ David Gust scores first NHL goal on first shift: The unlikely story behind it

SAN JOSE, Calif. — David Gust had decided this summer he was moving on from hockey.

He was 28 years old. He had put together a fine pro career, including signing an NHL contract with the Carolina Hurricanes during the pandemic season, but it seemed as if he had reached his ceiling. He was a really good AHL player. As respectable as that was, he didn’t foresee another NHL contract coming and he sought more stability in his life.

“Just with, I’m 29 years old (his birthday was Feb. 21), my wife’s pregnant and all that, so it was kind of if there was no NHL deal and all that, maybe just start the next chapter of my life,” Gust said.

His father, Dave, recalled, “He was done. He was going to come to the rink, be a hockey director, run youth hockey at the rink.”

Gust was then convinced otherwise. The Blackhawks, the team he had grown up watching in the Chicago suburb of Orland Park, Ill., sought to bolster their AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs, and Gust fit what they were looking for. IceHogs coach Anders Sorensen reached out to Gust and Gust bought in. He signed an AHL contract for the season.

Gust could never have imagined what this season would bring.

Gust first put together his best AHL season to date. He was named an AHL all-star and produced 24 goals, 26 assists…