Tom Kühnhackl was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 4th round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut with the Penguins during the 2015-2016 season. He played a depth role for the Penguins and was known for his physical play and defensive contributions. Kühnhackl won the Stanley Cup with the Penguins in 2016 and 2017. Throughout his NHL career, he also had stints with the New York Islanders and the Los Angeles Kings. While not a high-scoring player, Kühnhackl was valued for his work ethic and versatility on the ice.