Michael Bunting is, for all intents and purposes, Mr. Roadrunner.
He’s spent some part of every season in the Old Pueblo, and has his name in the franchise record book for more than one counting stat.
260 games played. 180 points scored.
The feisty winger spent a total of six seasons toiling in the AHL and finally got his chance to become an NHL regular in the second half of the 2020-2021 season.
Michael Bunting battles in the crease against the Texas Stars on March 5th, 2021. The jersey is matched to the board burn on the left sleeve and the loose thread on the nameplate in this photo. (photo credit: Chris Hook)
He responded by scoring 10 goals and adding 3 assists in 21 games. His performance earned him a contract with his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs and the possibility of being centered by Auston Matthews or John Tavares.
That’s quite a step up from the AHL, or even from the centers on the Arizona Coyotes roster.
Bunting’s final season in Tucson saw him score 7 goals and add 12 assists en route to 19 points in just 16 games played…and that production came on what was easily the worst Roadrunners team in club history.
Michael Bunting tries to control the puck against the San Diego Gulls on March 21st, 2021. The jersey is matched to the repair on the right sleeve in this photo. (photo credit: Kate Dibildox)
Tucson wore their red set of jerseys in just eight games in the COVID shortened 2020-2021 season. They were scheduled to be worn in 10 games, but two postponements/cancellations lowered the tally.
Bunting wore this red gamer in five of those eight games before being called up to the NHL to stay. He scored 2 goals and 4 assists for 6 points in those games.
His sweater has moderate wear with on thick repair on the right sleeve, one small burn hole, and a couple of notable board burns. The left sleeve has several burns and burn marks.
The O’Rielly Chevrolet sponsorship patch has a huge loose thread on the top of it, and messed up stitching on the bottom left corner. There are some other pulls and pilling on the front of the jersey below the crest.
The back of the sweater has a slash mark through the back numbers (specifically the #7), and some interesting loose threads or stitching on the bottom of the nameplate just above the #2.
There is a stick mark in the top band of white that circles the waist.
Bunting may be gone from the desert, but his impact on the Tucson franchise won’t be forgotten.
Hopefully he lights it up in Toronto this season now that he’s finally getting his chance at a full-time NHL role.