When you’ve been an elite player your entire career and suited up for your national team multiple times over the years, you’re going to pick up a thing or two about leadership.
And while the Warriors would have liked to have had a better record than what they put together in the Western Hockey League East Division Hub, the third-year standout did all he could to help the youth-laden crew find success.
So when the Warriors closed out their packed 24-game schedule on Monday night in Regina, the 18-year-old Minnesota Wild product took the moment in stride.
“I think leading is in my blood, I’ve always led since I was young and to wear the C on that jersey and for the city of Moose Jaw, it’s extremely special and I’m definitely not taking it for granted,” Hunt said in post-game interviews after their 5-4 overtime loss to Saskatoon. “I had lots of fun leading, there were lots of ups and downs, but I tried to be there for every single guy every part of the way and I think we made memories for life. That’s what really matters, it was a great time and it’s going to be exciting next year for sure.”
The Warriors finished the season with an 8-13-3-0 record, but had a host of players take a leap forward in their game. Throw in the overall talent shown by rookies like Brayden Yager and Jagger Firkus and the flashes of brilliance from every player on their roster and you can see why Hunt is optimistic.
“I’m really impressed, they got a lot better as the bubble went along, they proved to all of us they can play in this league, especially Yags and Firky, they’ve got tremendous skill and you could sit it on the ice when they played,” said Hunt. “They’re good with the puck and they compete so I’m just excited for the guys and hopefully they get a good summer and get stronger, which they will, and coming in next year will be that much better.”
Of course, it would be remiss not to reflect on the East Division Hub on a whole. Warriors players and staff spent two whole months in isolation in the University of Regina dorms, emerging only to practice and play games at the Brandt Centre.
All told, it was 24 games in 46 days, a packed schedule virtually unheard of in junior hockey -- and one that Hunt was happy to have played through largely unscathed. All told, he capped the campaign with eight goals -- tops among WHL defenceman upon leaving the Hub -- and 18 points through 23 contests.
“There’s definitely some relief for sure, it’s not easy coming into a bubble and practicing and playing every day, it’s challenging physically and mentally,” Hunt said. “It was a grind and a busy schedule, but it was a fun process and a great time.”
Hunt pointed to relationships fostered in the Hub with his teammates as one of the positives, pointing to their two first-year Warrior overagers as an example.
“With (Brad) Ginnell and (Riley) Krane joining the team as 20s, I didn’t know them coming in but I ended up making friendships for life and that’s what it’s about, really,” he said. “We became a closer team because of this, for sure.”
Hunt isn’t done with hockey for the season just yet. He suited up with Minnesota’s American Hockey League affiliate in Iowa for three games prior to joining the Warriors and will look to put up his first professional point when he returns to the team on April 29.
“My plan is to fly out, quarantine for a couple days and then I’m good to go and I’m hoping to get some games in,” Hunt said. “It’ll be a lot of fun and a great experience.”
