Brad Hunt, the undrafted defenseman who spent 14 seasons navigating the professional ranks, has officially announced his retirement. His career, marked by stints in the NHL, AHL and overseas, came to a close following a final season in Finland.
Across the NHL he appeared in 288 games, complementing them with 422 contests in the American Hockey League. In those AHL appearances he accumulated 298 points, underscoring a consistency that belied his draft‑free origins.
A Journey Across Seven NHL Franchises
His itinerary read like a tour of the league, touching down with the Edmonton Oilers, St. Louis Blues, Nashville Predators, Vegas Golden Knights, Minnesota Wild, Vancouver Canucks and finally the Colorado Avalanche. Each stop offered a new opportunity to showcase his offensive instincts.
The 2019‑20 season stands out as his most productive NHL stretch, when he posted eight goals and 19 points in 59 games for Minnesota. The following year he contributed 17 points in 50 appearances for Vancouver, and in 2022‑23 he suited up for 47 games with Colorado, recording 10 points and a plus‑four rating.
After his NHL tenure, Hunt extended his career in the AHL with the Colorado Eagles, tallying 49 points in 70 games during the 2023‑24 campaign. He then moved to Europe, joining Vaasan Sport in Finland for the 2025‑26 season before deciding to retire.
Though a permanent NHL roster spot never materialized, Hunt’s offensive skill set and special‑teams contributions earned him repeated opportunities. Reflecting on his path, he expressed pride in a career built on perseverance and the ability to make an impact wherever he played.