WHL Moose Jaw Warriors

Former WHL Player of the Year Hunt Watching Closely as Warriors Reach Memorial Cup Semifinal

Published on May 31, 2024 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Moose Jaw Warriors News Release


Nelson, B.C. - Thousands of people tuned in to watch the Moose Jaw Warriors clinch their first WHL title in franchise history on May 15, 2024.

That includes former Warriors alternate captain and WHL Player of the Year, Dryden Hunt.

"It was just fun to see the building rocking," Hunt said. "Nice to see them get rewarded and to have the fans in the building every night. It's really good for the town and the team."

The win also gave Hunt, now a forward with the Calgary Flames, a chance to reflect on his season in the Friendly City- and how uncertain his future looked after being traded to Moose Jaw heading into his final year of junior hockey.

"As a 20-year-old, you're not really sure you know what the next step is and I was prepared to go to university," Hunt recalled. "I ended up having that special year."

"It was probably one of my favorite cities to play in just because the people were so great. You talk to anybody that played there and they talk about the Booster Club and all that they do for guys. It's that small-town feel and the Warriors are like the number one thing in town, and they've got that great rink there now. I really wish I got more time there."

Under then-Head Coach Tim Hunter and current Head Coach Mark O'Leary, who was an assistant at the time, Hunt erupted for a league-leading 58 goals and another 58 assists in 2015-16, finishing second in the league points race with 116 tallies.

He earned an entry-level contract with the Florida Panthers as an undrafted free agent and became the first Moose Jaw Warrior to win the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy as the WHL Player of the Year.

While he credits a lot of his success to Hunter's coaching and some stellar teammates, Hunt also acknowledges some players simply hit their stride a little later.

"I was really lucky to play with guys like (two-time Stanley Cup champion) Brayden Point, Tanner Jeannot, (2023 Stanley Cup champion) Brett Howden and Noah Gregor," Hunt said. "Some guys kind of rush into the AHL, or at least a year early. Some guys need that extra year. I was never drafted into the Western League. I was never drafted in the NHL. Maybe I was a late bloomer, per se, and just needed an extra year and got lucky there. That's probably my most memorable season."

Hunt, now a veteran of more than 200 NHL games, is coming off a milestone-filled first full season in the Flames system.

The Nelson, B.C. product took part in his first outdoor game at the 2023 NHL Heritage Classic at Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium and netted his first goal as a Flame against the Oilers in February to seal Calgary's lone win in the Battle of Alberta in 2023-24.

He recently got a chance to reminisce with O'Leary and Warriors play-by-play voice James Gallo at Calgary's Scotiabank Saddledome when the Warriors rolled through the city on a road trip.

Hunt says he'll continue to keep tabs on his former team and cheer them on.

Ahead of Moose Jaw's semifinal match against the OHL's Saginaw Spirit, he also has a message to share:

"I remember guys telling me when I was 16,17 that it's going to fly by and it was just one of those things where you look back and it's just the best time of your life," Hunt added. "Enjoy it and play your heart out. They should be super proud of making it to where they are. One more win and you go to the Memorial Cup final and anything can happen. I think it'd be very special for Moose Jaw to win that thing but all they have accomplished already is pretty special. I know the town of Moose Jaw is probably pretty proud of them.

"Just give it your all and we'll all be watching."

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Western Hockey League Stories from May 31, 2024


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