Dylan Guenther is the kind of player who can find that tiny opening over a goalie’s shoulder and exploit it with surgical precision. Yet, ask him to pinpoint when his shot became such a lethal weapon, and he’ll just shrug. It’s not something he learned overnight — it’s simply something he’s always done.
“I had an unfinished basement growing up, and I spent hours shooting pucks down there,” Guenther shared. “It’s what I love to do, and honestly, I was always pretty good at it. Even now, when I go back home, my brother and I still rip pucks in the basement.” Those hours of relentless practice transformed a hobby into one of the most dangerous shots in the NHL.
At just 21 years old, Guenther is lighting up the league as a member of the Utah Hockey Club, leading the team in points (29) and goals (13). Recently, he notched three goals in two games during a road trip and has racked up 12 points over the last 10 games. It’s no exaggeration to say his shot is the cornerstone of his success.
While Guenther isn’t afraid to fight for gritty goals near the crease, his real bread and butter lies in the high slot and around the face-off dots. His ability to release the puck before defenders or goalies even realize it has made him one of the NHL’s most exciting young scorers. His secret? Keep it quick.
“Goalies at this level are insanely good,” Guenther explained. “So, for me, it’s all about getting the shot off as fast as I can. That’s the one thing I really focus on.”
Teammate Alex Kerfoot agrees — and he would know. After all, Kerfoot spent years playing alongside offensive juggernauts like Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Yet even with that experience, he’s blown away by Guenther’s abilities.
“His shot is easily one of the best I’ve ever seen,” Kerfoot said. “And the thing is, he’s still so young. The ceiling for him? There is none. He’s going to keep getting better and better.”
So, what makes Guenther’s shot so deadly? It’s a combination of speed, accuracy, and unpredictability. “He’s not like some players who stick to shooting in specific spots,” Kerfoot explained. “He can put it anywhere on the net, and his release is lightning-fast. That’s what makes him so tough to stop.”
Even Guenther’s equipment plays a role. He uses a more flexible hockey stick — a 77 flex rating, to be precise. For context, most NHL players use sticks with flex ratings between 85 and 100. Guenther’s preference allows him to release powerful shots with minimal effort.
“I’ve been using the same type of stick since I was a kid,” Guenther revealed. “It’s just a stock stick, nothing fancy, but it works for me. I don’t need as much time or power to get the shot I want.”
That stick served him well during his junior career in the Western Hockey League (WHL). Drafted first overall by the Edmonton Oil Kings in the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft, Guenther posted an impressive 91 points (45 goals, 46 assists) in his final WHL season before being drafted into the NHL in 2021. Former Oil Kings coach Brad Lauer recalls being impressed with Guenther’s shooting ability even as a teenager.
“I remember when he was just 15, and we called him up for eight games,” Lauer said. “He scored three goals, and two of them were these quick-release, top-corner shots that most 19- and 20-year-olds couldn’t pull off. That’s when I knew he had something special.”
Guenther’s ability to release the puck quickly and effectively has been noticed by more than just his coaches. Defenseman Mikhail Sergachev, who played with the Tampa Bay Lightning’s elite roster before joining Utah, calls Guenther’s shot “lethal.”
“He doesn’t need a lot of space,” Sergachev explained. “Most players need several feet to wind up, but Guenther only needs about a foot to let it fly. It’s nearly impossible to block because you don’t know when or where it’s coming from. He can shoot from anywhere.”
Sergachev, who quarterbacks Utah’s top power-play unit, knows the value of having a weapon like Guenther on the ice. With five power-play goals this season, Guenther has made the left face-off circle his unofficial office. When the puck movement creates an opening, he’s ready to strike — and it usually ends with a red light for Utah’s opponents.
“We try not to force it to him too much,” Sergachev said. “He doesn’t have the same reputation as guys like [Alexander] Ovechkin yet, but he will. When I see an opening, I’ll always give it to him because I know it’s going in.”
Having spent years setting up elite scorers like Steven Stamkos in Tampa, Sergachev sees a bright future for Guenther. “He’s got all the tools to be a superstar,” Sergachev said. “He plays responsibly and doesn’t just rely on his offense. Give him a year or two, and the league is going to fear him.”
For Guenther, it all comes back to the basement, the countless hours of practice, and his natural love for shooting the puck. Those small beginnings have turned into a big-time NHL career, and he’s only getting started. Whether he’s firing laser-like snapshots from the slot or beating goalies with his quick release, one thing is clear: Dylan Guenther is a name to watch — and his shot is a force to be reckoned with.
What Makes Dylan Guenther's Shot Special:
- Unpredictability: He can score from anywhere on the ice, making it tough for goalies to anticipate.
- Lightning-Fast Release: Guenther’s shot is off his stick in a flash, leaving defenders and goalies scrambling.
- Equipment Edge: His “whippier” stick gives him more power with less effort.
- Mentality: Guenther is a natural shooter who loves to take his chances, a rare trait among young players.
As his career continues to unfold, expect to see Guenther not just leading his team but becoming one of the league’s premier scorers. Whether it’s on the power play or in even-strength situations, his ability to find the back of the net is nothing short of thrilling. For Dylan Guenther, the best is yet to come.
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