In less than two weeks time, Hunt will hear his name called by a National Hockey League team during the 2020 NHL Draft. This isn’t a question, either -- as the 25th-ranked North American skater in the final Draft Prospect Rankings, Hunt will end up somewhere in the NHL when the event takes place on Oct. 6-7.
The only question is will it be the first round, like then-teammate Brayden Tracey with the Anaheim Ducks last season, or a little later.
Regardless, the 18-year-old elite rearguard is looking forward to the moment.
“It’s been a long couple months with COVID, I’m just really excited,” Hunt said Friday afternoon from his home in Brandon. “I think the nerves have gone now and summer has been good, it’s just been different with the world today. But I’m excited for myself and my family, too, they’re going to be with me at our house and I just have to wait for October 6th and 7th.”
That’s one thing that’s supremely different and admittedly a little disappointing for everyone in the draft picture. Everything will be done virtually, meaning no gathering in the stands of an arena with your fellow junior hockey standouts, no walking to the stage to accept your new jersey and team hat, no TSN or Sportsnet interview live and in person.
But, as with everything involving COVID-19 restrictions, it is what it is.
“I think a big part of being drafted is going up on stage and getting your jersey and hat, where this time we’re stuck at home,” Hunt said. “But I’ll be with my family and just have to look at the positives and at the end of the day I’m going to be selected by a team.”
Based on recent draft results from the 25th position, Hunt could go anywhere from the middle of the first round, like Flint’s Ty Dellandrea in the 2018 Draft, 13th overall to Dallas, or somewhere later, like Nick Henry, who landed in the fourth round, 94th overall with Lethbridge. Brett Leason of the P.A. Raiders was ranked 25th heading into the 2019 Draft and went in the second round, 56th overall, to Washington.
Thing is, Hunt’s Draft status comes with a huge caveat.
He played only 28 games last season after suffering a skate cut to his right forearm in early December. With a full season under his belt, even on a rebuilding team, he may have seen his draft stock run quite a bit higher. That’s all in the past, though, and Hunt has used his time off and the delayed season wisely.
“I’ve had a lot of months off, and with COVID stopping everything, I’ve been able to build muscle and strength and focus on my body away from the game and off ice,” Hunt explained. “So I think coming back next year I’ll be that much stronger and in that much better physical shape.”
NHL teams have still shown plenty of interest regardless, as one might expect for a player who has been a part of the Hockey Canada Program of Excellence ever since he hit the U15 ranks. Hunt estimates he’s fielded calls from 25 or so teams, all looking to get a feel for their newest potential prospect.
“They’ve been really good, they’ve all been Zoom calls, there are scouts and GMs on the call and it’s a chance to get to know you as a person,” said Hunt, who had 15 assists last season. “As it went on it got a lot easier and it’s been good to hear from so many teams.”
And if you think it’s strange regularly fiellding phone calls from the likes of the Winnipeg Jets and New York Rangers, well, you’d be exactly right.
“It’s very surreal,” Hunt said. “It’s a really exciting part of my life right now. Growing up watching the National Hockey League and seeing it on TV, then having my named selected in a couple of weeks… it’s incredible how special it all is. I’ve worked really hard my whole career and this is just the beginning of something great for me.”
