Hunt's final season abroad
After spending the last year of his playing career overseas, Brad Hunt has officially called it a day on his professional hockey journey. The former Vancouver Canucks defenseman played his final season with Vaasan Sport in Finland's Liiga. He registered seven goals and 18 assists in 53 games. Hunt revealed his retirement decision through a personal post on his Instagram account. He closed the chapter on a decade-long presence in the National Hockey League. His time with the Canucks came during the 2021-22 campaign. He appeared in 50 games and contributed 17 points. That season, he signed with the Colorado Avalanche in free agency. He ended his tenure in Vancouver and transitioned to a new team for the next stage of his career.
A decade as a depth NHL blueliner
Over the course of 10 seasons in the NHL, Hunt wore the jerseys of seven different teams. He showcased his versatility as a depth defenseman. His best season came in 2019-20 as a member of the Minnesota Wild. He put up 19 points in 59 games. That was a career-high output for him at that level. In total, he played 288 games in the NHL. He scored 26 goals and registered 60 assists for 86 total points. His career spanned teams such as the Edmonton Oilers. It included the St. Louis Blues, Vegas Golden Knights, Minnesota Wild, Vancouver Canucks, and Colorado Avalanche. While Hunt was never among the league's top performers, he was a consistent presence on the blue line. He often stepped into roles that required reliability and physicality.
Strong AHL career behind the scenes
Hunt's contributions were more apparent in the American Hockey League. He excelled there for nine seasons. Across 422 games with teams like the Chicago Wolves, Oklahoma City Barons, Bakersfield Condors, Colorado Eagles, and Hershey Bears, he notched 84 goals. He added 214 assists, tallying 298 total points. His best year came during the 2014-15 season with the Bakersfield Condors. He recorded 19 goals and 51 points in 62 games. Both were career-high marks in the AHL. His offensive impact at the minor league level earned him multiple honors. These included three All-Star Game selections and appearances on two first-team All-Star rosters. He was also on one second-team All-Star squad. These achievements further highlight his skill and value as a defenseman in the developmental circuit.
Though Hunt never reached the NHL All-Star Game, his AHL resume stands out. It is one of the most impressive in the history of the league. His ability to consistently produce points from the blue line helped elevate his teams. It contributed to their success. What makes Hunt's story even more compelling is that he was undrafted. He had to work his way up from the minors to the NHL. Ultimately, he secured a long and varied career in professional hockey. His journey reflects a blend of perseverance, adaptability, and a strong work ethic. All of these helped him carve out a meaningful role in the game.