Hunt, 17, was among 13 Western Hockey League players named to the Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game on Thursday, marking what would be the latest step in his quest to be chosen in the 2020 National Hockey League Entry Draft.
But a serious injury to his right arm will most likely keep him from playing in the highly scouted and nationally televised contest.
Hunt suffered a severe cut by a skate blade to his right forearm in a game on Dec. 3 in Edmonton, with the damage severe enough to require surgery. Those repairs were successful and Hunt was back in Moose Jaw for the Warriors most recent contest against the Kelowna Rockets, sporting a black handbrace as the damaged forearm muscles heal.
He estimated his return time for February, meaning he’ll be out of the line-up for the Top Prospect Game on Jan. 16 in Hamilton.
Hunt is currently ranked as an ‘A’ prospect by the NHL’s Central Scouting Bureau, meaning he is projected to go in the first or second round of the 2020 Draft.
The Warriors are now off until after the Christmas break, with their next action on Dec. 27 against the Regina Pats at Mosaic Place.
