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M H J O N L I N E . C O M | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 7 22 I Photos / Mike DeArmond, Pittsburgh Penguins "IF YOU HAD SAID THAT TO ME, there's no way I would have believed you. I still can't believe it," Jake, 22, said. "It's been a crazy year. It's exciting. You've worked so hard for this your whole life, and to have my family and friends [along for the ride] and to see how excited they are, it makes it fun for all of us." Jake, a Woodbury, Minn., native has had plenty to celebrate after his rookie debut on Nov. 21, 2016, where he tallied two goals in his NHL debut (more on that below). He had 33 points (16 goals, 17 assists) in 40 games last season, and led the league with 13 goals during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. His 21 points in the playoffs tied forward Dino Ciccarelli of the 1981 Minnesota North Stars and Ville Leino of the 2010 Philadelphia Flyers for the rookie playoff record. Jake didn't just rise to the top of stardom, he skyrocketed. "You never expect it to go like that, not right away," he said. "From the first game on every- thing went so well. It's just so crazy, there's really no other way to describe it. "It's been a crazy year and I am happy I have got- ten to make the most out of it." GUENTZEL HOCKEY BLOODLINE Jake's first goal, on his first shift, with his first shot—scored in 1:02, the fastest of any Pittsburgh Penguin making his NHL debut— was a shock not only to him, but to his entire family, who were in the crowd at PPG Paints Arena for the game against the New York Rangers. The viral video of Jake's older broth- er, Ryan, has made its social media rounds (if you haven't seen it, check it out on YouTube). "How can you not react with that shock when you see anyone accomplish that, let alone your baby brother," Ryan said with a laugh. "That was just so surreal for all of us, and I'm so happy we could be there for it. We're just so proud of him." Hockey runs thick in the Guentzel family bloodlines. Ryan, 31, and Gabe, 29, both played Division I hockey and have since dabbled in minor pro leagues around the world. Like any good older brother, both naturally take some credit for Jake's talent and abilities. But ask all three where the real credit is due and they will be quick to point to their dad, Mike Guentzel, the associate head coach of the University of Minnesota men's hockey team. "He's the one that really got us into hockey," Jake said. "We grew up at the rink with him. I was a stick boy for the Gopher hockey team and was around those guys and in the locker room just soaking all of it in all the time." Guentzel believes speed and skating are essential tools, especially for smaller players. "You'll see a lot of smaller guys in the NHL are also some of the fastest," he said. "It's one of our greatest tools, and the bigger guys wish they had it." JAKE & BAKE