Dryden Hunt (born 24 November 1995) is a Canadian professional
ice hockey
Ice hockey (or simply hockey in North America) is a team sport played on ice skates, usually on an Ice rink, ice skating rink with Ice hockey rink, lines and markings specific to the sport. It belongs to a family of sports called hockey. Tw ...
left winger
In the sport of association football, a midfielder takes an outfield position primarily in the middle of the pitch. Midfielders may play an exclusively defensive role, breaking up attacks, and are in that case known as defensive midfielders. ...
for the
Calgary Wranglers
The Calgary Wranglers are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. They are members of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference of the American Hockey League (AHL). The team plays at the Scotiabank Saddledome, the home of their Na ...
of the
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League (AHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America that serves as the primary developmental league of the National Hockey League (NHL). The league comprises 32 teams, with 26 in the United States and 6 in Cana ...
(AHL) while under contract to the
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The ...
of the
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League (NHL; , ''LNH'') is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The NHL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Cana ...
(NHL). He has also previously played for the
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in the Miami metropolitan area. The Panthers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The team initially played it ...
,
Arizona Coyotes
The Arizona Coyotes are an inactive professional ice hockey team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area. They competed in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division (1996–1998, 2021–2024) and ...
,
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City. The Rangers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team plays ...
,
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche (colloquially known as the Avs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver. The Avalanche compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Con ...
and
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...
.
Playing career
Junior
Hunt played amateur junior hockey firstly with the
Notre Dame Argos
Athol Murray College of Notre Dame is a private, Mixed-sex education, co-educational boarding Secondary school, high school located in Wilcox, Saskatchewan, Canada. It was founded by the Sisters of Charity of St. Louis in 1920 as St. Augustine scho ...
in the
Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League
The Saskatchewan Male U18 'AAA' Hockey League (SMAAAHL), formerly the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League,) is a U-18 'AAA' ice hockey league, with teams based in the province of Saskatchewan, Canada. It is the highest level of minor hockey in ...
before moving back to his native
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. Situated in the Pacific Northwest between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains, the province has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that ...
with the Kootenay Ice of the
British Columbia Hockey Major Midget League.
Hunt opted to pursue a major junior career in the
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League (WHL) is a junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitutes the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) as the highest level of junior hocke ...
(WHL) with the
Regina Pats
The Regina Pats are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in Regina, Saskatchewan. Founded in 1917, the Pats are the world's oldest continuously operating major junior hockey franchise in its original location and using its original name. The ...
. During his fourth season with the club in
2014–15, Hunt was leading the Pats with 47
points
A point is a small dot or the sharp tip of something. Point or points may refer to:
Mathematics
* Point (geometry), an entity that has a location in space or on a plane, but has no extent; more generally, an element of some abstract topologica ...
in 37 games before he was traded to the
Medicine Hat Tigers
The Medicine Hat Tigers are a Canadian major junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League (WHL) based in Medicine Hat, Alberta. Established in 1970, the team is tied with the Kamloops Blazers for the most Ed Chynoweth Cups as league cha ...
on 5 January 2015. He played out the season in contributing 36 points in 34 games.
Undrafted, Hunt opted to play his overage year in the WHL, and was acquired by the
Moose Jaw Warriors
The Moose Jaw Warriors are a Canadian major junior ice hockey team based in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. The Warriors play in the East Division of the Western Hockey League's Eastern Conference, hosting games at the Moose Jaw Events Centre. The t ...
before the
2015–16 season on 23 September 2015. Hunt continued to improve offensively, leading the Warriors and the League with 58
goals in 72 games. As an
alternate captain
In ice hockey, the captain is the player designated by a team as the only person authorized to speak with the game officials regarding rule interpretations when the captain is on the ice. At most levels of play each team must designate one captai ...
he completed the regular season with 116 points before suffering a second round exit with 16 points in 10 post-season games. He was selected as the League's Player of the Year and earned a place on the East First All-Star Team.
Professional
Hunt was signed as a free agent to a three-year, entry-level contract with the
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in the Miami metropolitan area. The Panthers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The team initially played it ...
of the
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League (NHL; , ''LNH'') is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The NHL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Cana ...
(NHL) on 2 March 2016. He spent the majority of the
2016–17 season assigned to the Panthers'
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League (AHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America that serves as the primary developmental league of the National Hockey League (NHL). The league comprises 32 teams, with 26 in the United States and 6 in Cana ...
(AHL) affiliate, the
Springfield Thunderbirds
The Springfield Thunderbirds are a professional ice hockey team based in Springfield, Massachusetts. They are the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the National Hockey League's St. Louis Blues. The Thunderbirds play their home games at th ...
, where he scored 13 goals and 31 points.
In February 2017 Hunt was demoted to the
Manchester Monarchs Manchester Monarchs may refer to:
*Manchester Monarchs (AHL) (2001–2015)
*Manchester Monarchs (ECHL)
The Manchester Monarchs were a professional ice hockey team in the ECHL which began play in the 2015–16 ECHL season, 2015–16 season. Bas ...
of the
ECHL
The ECHL (formerly the East Coast Hockey League) is a minor professional ice hockey league based in Shrewsbury, New Jersey, with teams across the United States and Canada. Competitively, it is a tier below the American Hockey League (AHL). The ...
. He appeared in two games with Manchester, scoring two goals before returning to Springfield.
He was assigned to Springfield to start the following
2017–18 season. After 13 games on 9 November 2017, he received his first recall to the Panthers. He made his NHL debut with the Panthers in a 4–1 victory over the
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Con ...
on 10 November 2017. He registered his first NHL point,
assisting on
Jared McCann
Jared McCann (born May 31, 1996) is a Canadian professional ice hockey Forward (ice hockey), forward currently playing for the Seattle Kraken of the National Hockey League (NHL). McCann was selected by the Vancouver Canucks in the first round ( ...
's game winning goal in the third period of 3–2 victory over the
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The club w ...
on 27 November. After 11 games, in which he had just the one assist, he was returned to Springfield. He finished the season with Springfield scoring 23 goals and 46 goals in 58 games.
He began the
2018–19 season with the Thunderbirds, but was recalled by Florida for the first time on 19 November. He made his NHL season debut against the
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators (), officially the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club and colloquially known as the Sens, are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa. The Senators compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Di ...
in a 7–5 victory in which he earned his first NHL point of the season assisting on Jared McCann's first period goal. He scored his first NHL goal against
goaltender
In ice hockey, the goaltender (commonly referred to as goalie or netminder) is the player responsible for preventing the hockey puck from entering their own team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring. The goaltender mostly plays ...
Jimmy Howard
James Russell Howard III (born March 26, 1984) is an American former professional ice hockey goaltender and currently a Detroit Red Wings studio analyst for Bally Sports Detroit. He spent his entire National Hockey League (NHL) career with the ...
on 10 March in a 6–1 victory over the
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...
. He finished the season with 51 games played for Springfield, marking 23 goals and 41 points and 31 games for the Panthers, scoring three goals and ten points.
In the offseason, Hunt was a
restricted free agent
A restricted free agent (RFA) is a type of free agent in some sports leagues, such as the National Football League (NFL), National Hockey League (NHL), and National Basketball Association (NBA). Such players have special restrictions on the term ...
but was extended a
qualifying offer
A restricted free agent (RFA) is a type of free agent in some sports leagues, such as the National Football League (NFL), National Hockey League (NHL), and National Basketball Association (NBA). Such players have special restrictions on the term ...
.
Hunt made the Panthers roster out of training camp to begin the
2019–20 season. However, in November, after playing in 20 games, registering only four assists, he was placed on
waivers. After going unclaimed, he was assigned to the AHL. He appeared in 35 games with Springfield, scoring 13 goals and 29 points. He was recalled in February 2020 and played in one more game with Florida, suffering a lower-body injury in the game, before the NHL suspended the season due to the
COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...
on 12 March. When play resumed for the
2020 Stanley Cup playoffs
The 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs was the playoff tournament of the National Hockey League (NHL) for the 2019–20 season. The playoffs began on August 1, 2020, and concluded on September 28, 2020, with the Tampa Bay Lightning winning their second ...
, Hunt made his playoff debut in a best-of-five qualifying round versus the
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders (colloquially known as the Isles) are a professional ice hockey team based in Elmont, New York. The Islanders compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (N ...
, appearing in two games.
After his fourth season within the Panthers organization, Hunt as an impending restricted free agent was not tendered a
qualifying offer
A restricted free agent (RFA) is a type of free agent in some sports leagues, such as the National Football League (NFL), National Hockey League (NHL), and National Basketball Association (NBA). Such players have special restrictions on the term ...
by Florida, releasing him as an
unrestricted free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player or manager who is eligible to sign with other clubs or franchises; i.e., not under contract to any specific team. The term is also used in reference to a player who is under a contract at present ...
. On 10 October 2020, Hunt was signed to a one-year, two-way contract with the
Arizona Coyotes
The Arizona Coyotes are an inactive professional ice hockey team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area. They competed in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division (1996–1998, 2021–2024) and ...
. In the pandemic-shortened
2020–21 season, Hunt remained on the Coyotes
taxi squad
In gridiron football, the practice squad, also called the taxi squad or practice roster, is a group of players signed by a team but not part of their main roster. They serve as extra players during the team's practices, often as part of the scout ...
and after his elevation in the roster and initially serving as a healthy scratch he made his debut for the Coyotes in a 4–3 defeat to the
St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis. The Blues compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...
on 2 February 2021. He scored his first goal with Arizona against
Ville Husso
Ville Husso (born 6 February 1995) is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League (NHL).
Playing career
Husso started his career in the youth setup at HIFK in his hometown of Helsinki. He mad ...
in a 5–4 loss to the St. Louis Blues on 13 February. Adding a physical presence when inserted into the lineup, Hunt posted three goals and eight points through 26 games as the Coyotes missed the post-season.
On 28 July 2021, Hunt signed as a free agent to a two-year deal with the
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City. The Rangers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team plays ...
. In the
2021–22 season, Hunt made his Rangers debut on season opening night, featuring on the fourth line in a 5–1 defeat to the
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals (colloquially known as the Caps) are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. The Capitals compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NH ...
on 13 October 2021. He made his 100th NHL appearance on 5 November 2021, in a 6–5 overtime defeat to the
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton. The Oilers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...
before registering his first goal with the Rangers in a 2–1 defeat to the
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...
on 18 November 2021. While one of the Rangers leaders in hits, Hunt was elevated in the line-up through the season and recorded a career-high three assists on 12 March 2022, in a 7–4 victory over the
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas. The Stars compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The Stars ...
. He finished the regular season finishing with career highs of 76 games for 6 goals, 11 assists and 17 points. He went scoreless in three playoff appearances as the Rangers reached the
Eastern Conference finals.
In his final season under contract with the Rangers, Hunt began the
2022–23 season by scoring one goal in three games before he was placed on waivers on 19 October 2022. He was claimed the following day by defending champions, the
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche (colloquially known as the Avs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver. The Avalanche compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Con ...
, on 20 October 2022. He made his debut on the fourth line with the Avalanche in a 3–2 defeat to the
Seattle Kraken
The Seattle Kraken are a professional ice hockey team based in Seattle. The Kraken compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The t ...
on 21 October 2022. He registered his first point and goal with the Avalanche, in his 15th appearance, helping Colorado to a 4–1 win over Dallas Stars on 26 November 2022.
After 25 appearances with the Avalanche, having registered a lone goal, Hunt was again on the move after he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for
Denis Malgin
Denis Malgin (born 18 January 1997) is a Swiss professional ice hockey centre for the ZSC Lions of the National League (NL). Malgin was selected by the Florida Panthers in the fourth round, 102nd overall, of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.
Playing ca ...
on 19 December 2022. He scored his first goal for Toronto against the Florida Panthers on 17 January 2023. Hunt made nine appearances with the Maple Leafs before he was waived and re-assigned to AHL affiliate, the
Toronto Marlies
The Toronto Marlies are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. They compete in the American Hockey League (AHL) as a member of the North Division of the Eastern Conference. The Marlies are owned by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, a c ...
on 23 January. He played in 15 games with the Marlies, scoring four goals and nine points.
On 3 March 2023, the Maple Leafs traded Hunt to the
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The ...
in exchange for forward
Radim Zohorna. He was directly re-assigned to continue in the AHL with the Flames affiliate, the
Calgary Wranglers
The Calgary Wranglers are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. They are members of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference of the American Hockey League (AHL). The team plays at the Scotiabank Saddledome, the home of their Na ...
, for the remainder of the season. As a free agent, Hunt opted to re-sign with Calgary in agreeing to a two-year, two-way contract on 2 July. Hunt made the Flames roster out of training camp to begin the
2023–24 season, but after going pointless in four games, was placed on waivers on 7 November. After going unclaimed, Hunt was assigned to the Wranglers. He was recalled on 16 February 2024. He scored his first goal with the Flames on 24 February against
Stuart Skinner
Stuart Daniel Skinner (born November 1, 1998) is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the third round, 78th overall, in the 2017 NHL entry draft by the Oile ...
in a 6–3 victory over the Edmonton Oilers. He finished the season with the Flames, appearing in 28 games, scoring three goals and eight points. He also put up seven goals and 22 points in 23 games with the Wranglers.
After clearing waivers, Hunt was assigned to the Wranglers for the
2023–24 season.
Career statistics
Awards and honours
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hunt, Dryden
1995 births
Living people
Arizona Coyotes players
Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in the United States
Calgary Flames players
Calgary Wranglers players
Canadian ice hockey left wingers
Colorado Avalanche players
Florida Panthers players
Ice hockey people from British Columbia
Manchester Monarchs (ECHL) players
Medicine Hat Tigers players
Moose Jaw Warriors players
New York Rangers players
Sportspeople from Nelson, British Columbia
Regina Pats players
Springfield Thunderbirds players
Toronto Maple Leafs players
Toronto Marlies players
Trail Smoke Eaters players
Undrafted National Hockey League players
21st-century Canadian sportsmen