Orland Park native David Gust nets goal on first NHL shot
By Alison Moran
Correspondent
Orland Park native David Gust is living the dream.
It was a year ago the 2012 Marist graduate helped the Chicago Wolves win the 2022 Calder Cup, tallying five goals and seven assists in 18 postseason games.
Shortly after, Gust and his wife Lexi, found out they were going to be first-time parents. Gust, 29, pondered his future.
“I almost retired after the [Calder Cup championship],” he said. “I thought it might be time to start the next chapter.”
He thought he’d join his parents, Dave and Kelly, in running the family business, Arctic Ice Arena in Orland Park.
Fate had other plans.
Last July, Gust, after seven seasons in the American Hockey League, reunited with his former Chicago Fury coach Anders Sorensen with the Rockford IceHogs, the Chicago Blackhawks’ AHL affiliate, opening up the possibility he could one day play in the NHL.
“I honestly thought that ship had sailed,” Gust admitted.
Gust’s 24 goals, 26 assists and 50 points for the IceHogs proved his worth to the Blackhawks, who signed him to a two-year two-way contract.
The Hawks called him up on February 23 to fill a roster spot vacated by injury and trades, including the trade of his childhood hero, Patrick Kane, to the New York Rangers. He didn’t know it at the time, but he was given Kane’s old locker.
“I spent a few days with him before he left,” Gust reflected, referring to Kane. “Such a cool experience.”
“Everything happened all at once. All your childhood dreams are coming true. The opportunity to play for your hometown team, and now you’re playing alongside your heroes.”
His first shift as a member of the Blackhawks was one for the ages. With his parents cheering him on at the SAP Center in San Jose, Gust was working out “first-shift butterflies” when he took a pass from center Colin Blackwell and shot the puck past San Jose Sharks goalie Kaapo Kahkonen.
“I didn’t know how to react,” Gust recalled. “It was the best feeling.”
Four games later, the Blackhawks sent him back to Rockford to help with the IceHogs’ playoff push.
“You kind of know it’s coming,” he said. “I’m glad they’re investing in the older guys, so the younger guys can learn from us.”
In a fitting end to a dazzling month, Gust’s daughter, Sloane, was born on March 14.
“She’s changed everything,” Gust said. “When I come home from a tough day at the rink, I see her and nothing else matters. It’s awesome.”
Local News
A crazy fun day
Spread the love Dahlia Walkosz and Olivia Lopez, fifth graders at St. Daniel the Prophet School, were among many having fun during Crazy Hat Day–part of St. Dan’s efforts to promote good spirit during this year’s Catholic Schools Week. Parents looking for a school for their children for the 2022-23 school year are invited to…
Naz teacher earns Golden Apple nomination
Spread the loveFrom staff reports A teacher at Nazareth Academy in La Grange Park has been named a Golden Apple Award Finalist for Excellence in Teaching. Amelia García is one of just 30 finalists for the prestigious award. Hundreds of high school teachers across the state were nominated. Winners will be announced this spring—surprised individually…
Analysis: Palos Park still looking for perfect commish candidate
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva There are a couple of ways people can perceive Palos Park’s Village Council going without a fifth commissioner for months. On the surface, it would appear to outsiders that the council is sitting on its hands. Or, it can look like the council has not found the right person yet.…
Pandemic relief funds available for business, Gonzalez says
Spread the loveFrom staff reports State Rep. Edgar Gonzalez Jr. (D-21st) is calling attention to a new round of Back to Business grants available to local businesses dealing with financial hardship related to the pandemic. “For years now, the COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for small business owners throughout Illinois, but they have largely…
Acting no more, Jennings named Bridgeview Fire Chief
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch After a year on the job, John Jennings can remove “acting” from his title. Jennings, 53, was officially named fire chief by the Bridgeview Village Board at its Feb. 16 meeting. The vote was unanimous. “I’m very proud to be the chief,” Jennings, 53, said. “I work with a bunch…
Cardz for Kidz at Shepard High School
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Yoga enhances connections among the mind, body and spirit. Shepard High School’s yoga students infused these spiritual teachings with their daily lives and passed along messages of peace, love and care to others. These students, ranging from sophomores to seniors, at the high school, 13049 S. Ridgeland Ave., Palos Heights,…
10th La Grange Restaurant Week kicks off Friday
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch For the 10th straight year, folks are invited to visit old favorites and try unfamiliar places during the La Grange Restaurant Week. “It’s a healthy way of building the community, getting people to try new things,” said Zach Molokie, culinary director for Cloud 9 Hospitality, which owns Barrel House Social.…
Orland Park park projects meet with some public resistance
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva With the exception of a few engineering decisions that have to be finalized, some of Orland Parks parks are ready for some major face-lifts. But not everyone is happy with the proposed plans. The two parks receiving the most attention in the coming years will be Schussler Park and Centennial…
Obituaries Feb. 24, 2022
Spread the lovePHYLLIS BANUELOS Phyllis Banuelos, 77, of Lyons, passed away February 11. She was the beloved wife of Jose Banuelos; dear sister of Margaret. Phyllis was a longtime employee of the Village of Brookfield Police Department. All arrangements are private. Condolences may be sent to Phyllis’s family on her personal tribute website at www.foranfuneralhome.com.…
Neighbors
Illinois child tax credit: who gets it, how much is it?
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com In the final hours of their spring legislative session, Illinois lawmakers approved a tax credit of up to about $300 for families with young children. The credit is available to Illinoisans with children under age 12 who qualify for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit, or EITC. Although…
Illinois’ ban on ‘bump stocks’ remains in place despite U.S. Supreme Court decision
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – An Illinois law banning the sale and use of “bump stocks” and other devices that increase the firing power of semiautomatic weapons remains in place, at least for now, despite a U.S. Supreme Court decision Friday striking down a federal ban on such items. “Illinois law…
Another Choate Mental Health Center employee indicted for abuse of resident
By BETH HUNDSDORFER Capitol News Illinois bhundsdorfer@capitolnewsillinois.com Another caregiver at Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in Anna is facing charges for abusing a patient. A grand jury indicted Joseph A. Clark, 24, of Grand Chain, on a felony charge of aggravated battery and a misdemeanor charge of battery. Clark pinned a Choate resident to…
State highway shootings decline as critics sue over ‘dragnet surveillance’
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com Illinois State Police say an automated license plate reader program has helped the agency identify witnesses or suspects in 82 percent of highway shooting cases this year, including all eight that resulted in a death. But as the state looks to further expand its network of more than…
Illinois’ ban on ‘bump stocks’ remains in place despite U.S. Supreme Court decision
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – An Illinois law banning the sale and use of “bump stocks” and other devices that increase the firing power of semiautomatic weapons remains in place, at least for now, despite a U.S. Supreme Court decision Friday striking down a federal ban on such items. “Illinois law…
Just weeks before Republican National Convention, Illinois GOP chair announces resignation
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com Halfway through the 2024 election cycle and just a few weeks away from the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Illinois GOP Chair Don Tracy on Wednesday announced his resignation as head of the state Republican Party. Tracy, who’d held the job since February 2021, explained his resignation in…
Pritzker signs bill creating new Department of Early Childhood
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation Tuesday creating a new cabinet-level state agency dedicated to early childhood education and development. The new Department of Early Childhood, which will become operational in July 2026, will take over programs currently housed across three state agencies, including funding for preschool…
Speaker Welch rebuffs lawsuit from would-be staff union as ‘forum shopping’
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch is urging a Cook County judge to dismiss a lawsuit members of his staff filed against him last month seeking to force recognition of their union. In a new filing Monday, attorneys for Welch argued the Illinois Legislative Staff Association has no…
Advocates say SCOTUS ruling paves way for law ensuring abusers have guns confiscated
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com After the U.S. Supreme Court last week upheld a federal law that bars those under domestic violence-related restraining orders from owning guns, victim advocates say Illinois lawmakers should pass a measure to ensure firearms are actually confiscated in those situations. The legislation has been stalled for more than…
Communities, commission push Pritzker admin for more prison plan details
By DILPREET RAJU Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com Jimmy Soto spent more than 42 years wrongfully imprisoned in Illinois Department of Corrections facilities. In 2020, he was moved to the “F-House” at Stateville Correctional Center in Joliet, a condemned unit, not because he was being punished, but because it was where the facility was housing individuals…