Brad Hunt, the undrafted defenseman who carved out a decade-long presence in the National Hockey League, has announced his retirement, ending a career that stretched across 288 NHL games and stints in the AHL and European leagues.
A Career Built on Resilience
Selected by none, Hunt emerged from Bemidji State University and climbed through the ECHL and AHL before earning a spot with the Edmonton Oilers in the 2013‑14 season, a milestone that marked the beginning of a journey defined by adaptability.
Over the next ten seasons he wore the jerseys of seven franchises — the Oilers, St. Louis Blues, Nashville Predators, Vegas Golden Knights, Minnesota Wild, Vancouver Canucks and Colorado Avalanche — accumulating 26 goals, 60 assists and 86 points, statistics that understate the durability he displayed night after night.
His three seasons with the Minnesota Wild, from 2018 to 2021, were perhaps the most emblematic of his career, as he contributed 12 goals and 13 assists in 100 games and at times quarterbacked the team’s second power‑play unit, helping the club navigate a period of transition.
After leaving Minnesota, Hunt signed with the Vancouver Canucks for the 2021‑22 campaign and later joined the Colorado Avalanche in 2022‑23, before deciding to continue his playing career overseas before finally stepping away from the sport.
Legacy and Lessons
Reflecting on his path, Hunt’s story is a testament to perseverance; an undrafted player who leveraged offensive skill and relentless work ethic to sustain an NHL career, proving that determination can outweigh a draft position.