WHL NOTEBOOK — Hunt growing as a player and a person

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/03/2019 (2373 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Daemon Hunt would be the first to tell you he had a lot to learn coming into this Western Hockey League season.

With an innate maturity and in the perfect situation for his development, the 16-year-old defencmen for the Moose Jaw Warriors has changed a lot on and off the ice.

“I’ve matured, but in the western league it’s such a different type of hockey compared to midget,” Hunt said. “Everyone says your 16-year-old year is your free year, and once you get to your 17-year-old year, things really start turning on with your (National Hockey League) draft and your responsibility with the team. I think I’ve come so far in so many areas physically and mentally.”

Hunt was called up and played nine regular season games with Moose Jaw last season as a 15-year-old, and then rejoined the Warriors for the playoffs, seeing action twice more.

It was invaluable experience for him.

“It helped me just to get a feel for the league, and when I hopped in as a 16-year-old, I knew what I was going into,” Hunt said. “It helped me so much, and I’m glad that Alan Millar, the general manager, gave me the chance.”

Hunt also has the luxury of learning from Josh Brook of Roblin and Jett Woo of Winnipeg, a pair of elite WHL defencemen. He’s played much of the season on a pairing with Brook.

“They’ve taught me so much,” Hunt said. “They’re great players, they know the game so well. The NHL draft shows you how good they are. They’ve helped me so much, whether it’s off the ice or right after a shift. They’re giving me tips and tricks because they are some of the best defence in the league. They play a special way and have so much skill. I always look up to them to see what they’re doing. They just support me so much and we’ve come so close as teammates and friends.”

Like the overwhelming majority of young players who enter the league, the 15th overall pick in the 2017 draft marvels at the speed, strength, skill, hockey IQ and commitment in the game. But that transition is equal to all the changes he’s facing off the ice.

“For me, time management has probably been the number one biggest thing on my list,” Hunt said. “Moving out first of all into a billet’s (home) and adjusting your lifestyle and a new school, it’s not easy, especially at 16 years old. I think going to school all day, practising, working out and not only that but if we’re going on a roadtrip, packing the night before. You have to really look at your time management.

“You’re the parent and you’re the responsible and mature adult. You need to take care of yourself and you need to be aware of your surroundings at all times. Time management has been something I’ve learned over the year so far.”

Hunt’s routine on a non-game day is comprised of checking in at the rink at 9:30 a.m., working out, and then heading to school until 2:30 p.m. He then returns to the rink for practice.

On Mondays, he has study hall at 7 p.m. On the other days he might have some free time before supper, but he always heads to bed early because he’s so busy.

On game days, it’s a different routine.

“I’m a superstitious guy,” Hunt said. “I follow my game plans. If it’s a game day, I have a couple of things I do. I always stick to my plans and take it really seriously.”

Hunt said the Brandon Midget AAA Wheat Kings were a big help in preparing him for the step he would take into Moose Jaw’s lineup. Hunt spent one season with the midgets, scoring four times and adding 36 assists in 40 games. He also had an assist in nine playoff games.

It also helped Hunt, who turns 17 on May 15, to have older players on the midgets as well.

“The organization and my coaches were just top notch there,” Hunt said. “(Assistant coach) Chris Johnston and Coach (Tyson) Ramsey and everyone there helped me out so much. Even when I was younger back in bantam before midget hockey, I learned a lot. It’s a big jump honestly, because you’re playing 15-, 16- and 17-year-olds, where in bantam you’re playing guys your own age.”

One of the guys Hunt admired on the midget team was current Wheat King Lynden McCallum, who recently turned 19.

“I really looked up to Lynden and still do today,” he said.

The game tonight at Westoba Place between Moose Jaw and Brandon will almost certainly be his last visit home for the season. He always looks forward to the chance to play in front of father Doug and mother Renee in the building where he grew up watching the WHL.

“It’s special,” Hunt said. “Every time I hit the ice I get a bit more edge to my game and the goosebumps are there. Having friends and family watching you — parents who as you grew up watched you as well — it’s special. I would come and watch the Brandon Wheat Kings play when I was young and now they can come and watch me play on the ice. It’s really special always.”

Hunt also had another great experience at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, where he had a pair of assists in five games with Team Black in Saint John and Quispamsis, N.B. It’s one of the first steps on the Hockey Canada pathway that, for teenagers, culminates in the world junior team.

Long before that, the post-season will begin next week for Moose Jaw, which long ago secured third spot in the East Division.

They’ll face Hunt’s former bantam teammate Tristen Robins and the second-place Saskatoon Blades. Saskatoon has won five of the six games between the clubs and outscored Moose Jaw 27-14.

Hunt believes the Blades are a good team due to their depth and skill.

“We just played them recently and had a 3-2 lead going into the third and couldn’t keep it on,” Hunt said. “They ended up winning that game, but if we come out ready to play — I got a couple of games in during the playoffs last year and it’s a totally different league — I’m excited for it. They never back down and forecheck hard and they have skill and can finish. We definitely need to be aware of that.”

» pbergson@brandonsun.com

» Twitter: @PerryBergson