Dryden Hunt

Hunt played amateur junior hockey firstly with the Notre Dame Argos in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League before moving back to his native British Columbia with the Kootenay Ice of the British Columbia Hockey Major Midget League.{{cite web |url=https://www.nelsonstar.com/sports/updated-in-the-hunt-for-a-major-junior-spot-4844209 |title=Updated: In the Hunt for a major junior spot |work=Nelson Star |last=Hall |first=Bob |date=29 August 2011 |access-date=21 October 2024}}

Hunt opted to pursue a major junior career in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Regina Pats. During his fourth season with the club in 2014–15, Hunt was leading the Pats with 47 points in 37 games before he was traded to the Medicine Hat Tigers on 5 January 2015.{{cite web| url = http://tigershockey.com/article/tigers-acquire-hunt-burroughs-from-regina | title = Tigers acquire Hunt, Burroughs from Pats | publisher = Medicine Hat Tigers | date = 5 January 2015 | access-date = 5 January 2015}} He played out the season in contributing 36 points in 34 games.{{cite web| url = https://whl.ca/players/26043 | title = Dryden Hunt player profile | publisher = Western Hockey League | date = 17 December 2022 | access-date = 17 December 2022}}

Undrafted, Hunt opted to play his overage year in the WHL, and was acquired by the Moose Jaw Warriors before the 2015–16 season on 23 September 2015.{{cite tweet |user=MJWARRIORS |author=Moose Jaw Warriors |number=646793156827066368 |date=23 September 2015 |title=Trade: Warriors have acquired 20-year-old Dryden Hunt from Medicine Hat for a 2nd in '16 & 3rd in '18 |access-date=6 January 2024}} Hunt continued to improve offensively, leading the Warriors and the League with 58 goals in 72 games. As an alternate captain he completed the regular season with 116 points before suffering a second round exit with 16 points in 10 post-season games. He was selected as the League's Player of the Year and earned a place on the East First All-Star Team.{{cite web| url = http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/warriors-dryden-hunt-named-whl-player-year/ | title = Warriors' Dryden Hunt named WHL's player of the year | website = Sportsnet |agency=The Canadian Press | date = 4 May 2016 | access-date = 4 May 2016}}{{cite web |url=https://www.nelsonstar.com/sports/dryden-hunt-earns-season-ending-honours-4847372 |title=Dryden Hunt earns season-ending honours |work=Nelson Star |date=24 March 2016 |access-date=21 October 2024}}

Hunt was signed as a free agent to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL) on 2 March 2016.{{cite web | url = https://www.nhl.com/panthers/news/florida-panthers-sign-dryden-hunt-to-entry-level-contract/c-871740 | title = Florida Panthers sign Dryden Hunt to entry-level contract | publisher = Florida Panthers | date = 2 March 2016 | access-date = 2 March 2016 | via = NHL.com | archive-date = 7 September 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200907150412/https://www.nhl.com/panthers/news/florida-panthers-sign-dryden-hunt-to-entry-level-contract/c-871740 | url-status = dead }} He spent the majority of the 2016–17 season assigned to the Panthers' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds,{{cite web |url=https://www.masslive.com/thunderbirds/2016/10/florida_panthers_assign_four_p.html |title=Florida Panthers assign four players to Thunderbirds |work=The Republican |last=Dillon |first=Kevin |date=6 October 2016 |access-date=21 October 2024}} where he scored 13 goals and 31 points.{{cite web |url=https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=139386 |title=Dryden Hunt |website=hockeydb.com |access-date=21 October 2024}} In February 2017 Hunt was demoted to the Manchester Monarchs of the ECHL.{{cite web |url=https://www.masslive.com/thunderbirds/2017/02/springfield_thunderbirds_recal_7.html |title=Springfield Thunderbirds recall Eddie Wittchow, assign three players to Manchester |work=The Republican |last=Ryan |first=Conor |date=2 February 2017 |access-date=21 October 2024}} He appeared in two games with Manchester, scoring two goals before returning to Springfield. He was assigned to Springfield to start the following 2017–18 season. After 13 games on 9 November 2017, he received his first recall to the Panthers.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/panthers/news/florida-panthers-recall-forward-dryden-hunt-from-springfield-ahl/c-292784212 | title = Panthers recall Dryden Hunt from Thunderbirds | publisher = Florida Panthers |via=NHL.com | date = 9 November 2017 | access-date = 9 November 2017}} He made his NHL debut with the Panthers in a 4–1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on 10 November 2017.{{cite web| url = http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/florida-panthers/fl-sp-panthers-sabres-20171110-story.html | title = Panthers snap five-game losing streak with victory in Buffalo | newspaper = Sun-Sentinel | date = 10 November 2017 | access-date = 10 November 2017}} He registered his first NHL point, assisting on Jared McCann's game winning goal in the third period of 3–2 victory over the New Jersey Devils on 27 November.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap/_/gameId/400961965 |title=McCann gets winner, Luongo ties record, Panthers 3, Devils 2 |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |date=27 November 2017 |access-date=21 October 2024}} After 11 games, in which he had just the one assist, he was returned to Springfield.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/hockey/news/panthers-dryden-hunt-heading-to-minors/ |title=Panthers' Dryden Hunt: Heading to minors |work=CBS Sports |date=17 December 2017 |access-date=21 October 2024}} He finished the season with Springfield scoring 23 goals and 46 goals in 58 games.

He began the 2018–19 season with the Thunderbirds,{{cite web |url=https://www.masslive.com/sports/erry-2018/10/375746eb96186/meet-the-201819-springfield-th.html |title=Meet the 2018-19 Springfield Thunderbirds: Photos, bios for players, coaches |work=The Republican |last=Berry |first=Christopher |date=11 October 2018 |access-date=21 October 2024}} but was recalled by Florida for the first time on 19 November.{{cite web |url=https://springfieldthunderbirds.com/news/panthers-recall-hunt-haley-loan-mamin-malgin-to-t-birds |title=Panthers Recall Hunt & Haley, Loan Mamin & Malgin to T-Birds |publisher=Springfield Thunderbirds |date=19 November 2018 |access-date=21 October 2024}} He made his NHL season debut against the Ottawa Senators in a 7–5 victory in which he earned his first NHL point of the season assisting on Jared McCann's first period goal.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/fla-vs-ott/2018/11/19/2018020312 |title=Hoffman extends point streak in Panthers win against Senators |publisher=National Hockey League |date=20 November 2018 |access-date=21 October 2024}} He scored his first NHL goal against goaltender Jimmy Howard on 10 March in a 6–1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap/_/gameId/401045380 |title=Panthers start fast, rout Red Wings 6-1 |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |date=10 March 2019 |access-date=21 October 2024}} He finished the season with 51 games played for Springfield, marking 23 goals and 41 points and 31 games for the Panthers, scoring three goals and ten points. In the offseason, Hunt was a restricted free agent but was extended a qualifying offer.{{cite web |url=https://springfieldthunderbirds.com/news/panthers-extend-qualifying-offers-to-10-players |title=Panthers Extend Qualifying Offers to 10 Players |publisher=Springfield Thunderbirds |date=26 June 2019 |access-date=21 October 2024}}

Hunt made the Panthers roster out of training camp to begin the 2019–20 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.cranbrooktownsman.com/sports/dryden-hunt-to-start-season-with-florida-panthers-5343044 |title=Dryden Hunt to start season with Florida Panthers |work=Cranbrook Daily Townsman |last=Harper |first=Terry |date=30 September 2019 |access-date=21 October 2024}} However, in November, after playing in 20 games, registering only four assists, he was placed on waivers. After going unclaimed, he was assigned to the AHL.{{cite web |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nhl/florida-panthers/article237501124.html |title=Panthers offense overpowers Flyers as Florida earns fourth win in five games |last=Macpherson |first=Jordan |work=Miami Herald |date=20 November 2019 |access-date=21 October 2024}}{{cite web |url=https://www.nelsonstar.com/sports/dryden-hunt-re-assigned-to-ahl-springfield-4879229 |title=Dryden Hunt re-assigned to AHL Springfield |work=Nelson Star |date=3 December 2019 |access-date=21 October 2024}} He appeared in 35 games with Springfield, scoring 13 goals and 29 points. He was recalled in February 2020{{cite web |url=https://springfieldthunderbirds.com/news/panthers-recall-f-dryden-hunt-from-springfield? |title=Panthers Recall F Dryden Hunt from Springfield |publisher=Springfield Thunderbirds |date=20 February 2020 |access-date=21 October 2024}} and played in one more game with Florida, suffering a lower-body injury in the game,{{cite web |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/hockey/news/panthers-dryden-hunt-set-to-miss-weeks/ |title=Panthers' Dryden Hunt: Set to miss weeks |work=CBS Sports |date=24 February 2020 |access-date=21 October 2024}} before the NHL suspended the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic on 12 March.{{cite web |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/12/nhl-to-suspend-season-due-to-coronavirus.html |title=NHL suspends season due to coronavirus |work=CNBC |last=Young |first=Jabari |date=12 March 2020 |access-date=21 October 2024}} When play resumed for the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs, Hunt made his playoff debut in a best-of-five qualifying round versus the New York Islanders, appearing in two games.{{cite web |url=https://www.local10.com/sports/2020/05/28/panthers-gm-dale-tallon-says-team-willing-to-pay-the-price-for-deep-playoff-run/ |title=Panthers GM Dale Tallon says team ‘willing to pay the price’ for deep playoff run |work=Local 10 ABC |last=Dwork |first=David |date=28 May 2020 |access-date=21 October 2024}}

After his fourth season within the Panthers organization, Hunt as an impending restricted free agent was not tendered a qualifying offer by Florida, releasing him as an unrestricted free agent.{{cite web| url = https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/hockey/news/dryden-hunt-not-qualified-by-florida/ | title = Dryden Hunt not qualified by Florida | work = CBS Sports | date = 8 October 2020 | access-date = 8 October 2020}} On 10 October 2020, Hunt was signed to a one-year, two-way contract with the Arizona Coyotes.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/coyotes/news/coyotes-sign-gross-and-hunt-to-one-year-contracts/c-319423186 | title = Coyotes sign Gross, Hunt to one-year contracts | publisher = Arizona Coyotes | date = 10 October 2020 | access-date = 10 October 2020 |via=NHL.com}} In the pandemic-shortened 2020–21 season, Hunt remained on the Coyotes taxi squad and after his elevation in the roster and initially serving as a healthy scratch he made his debut for the Coyotes in a 4–3 defeat to the St. Louis Blues on 2 February 2021.{{cite web | url = https://www.espn.com/nhl/game/_/gameId/401272246 | title = Arizona Coyotes 3 – 4 St. Louis Blues | work = ESPN | date = 2 February 2021 | access-date = 17 December 2022}} He scored his first goal with Arizona against Ville Husso in a 5–4 loss to the St. Louis Blues on 13 February.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap/_/gameId/401272331 |title=Blues beat Coyotes 5-4 in OT in Game 6 of marathon series |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |date= 14 February 2021 |access-date=21 October 2024}} Adding a physical presence when inserted into the lineup, Hunt posted three goals and eight points through 26 games as the Coyotes missed the post-season.

On 28 July 2021, Hunt signed as a free agent to a two-year deal with the New York Rangers.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-agree-to-terms-with-free-agent-forwards-greg-mckegg--dryden-hunt/c-325844236 | title = Rangers agree to terms with free agent forwards, Greg McKegg and Dryden Hunt | publisher = New York Rangers | date = 28 July 2021 | access-date = 28 July 2021 |via=NHL.com}} In the 2021–22 season, Hunt made his Rangers debut on season opening night, featuring on the fourth line in a 5–1 defeat to the Washington Capitals on 13 October 2021.{{cite web| url = https://www.espn.com/nhl/game/_/gameId/401349137 | title = Ovechkin scores twice, Capitals beat Rangers 5-1 in opener | work = ESPN |agency=Associated Press | date = 13 October 2021 | access-date = 17 December 2022}} He made his 100th NHL appearance on 5 November 2021, in a 6–5 overtime defeat to the Edmonton Oilers before registering his first goal with the Rangers in a 2–1 defeat to the Toronto Maple Leafs on 18 November 2021.{{cite web| url = https://www.foxsports.com/nhl/new-york-rangers-vs-edmonton-oilers-nov-05-2021-game-boxscore-36902 | title = Oilers outlast Rangers in OT | work = Fox Sports | date = 5 November 2021 | access-date = 5 November 2021}}{{cite web| url = https://www.espn.com/nhl/game/_/gameId/401349381 | title = Reilly scores two goals, red hot Maple Leafs top Rangers 2-1 | work = ESPN | date = 18 November 2021 | access-date = 18 November 2021}} While one of the Rangers leaders in hits, Hunt was elevated in the line-up through the season and recorded a career-high three assists on 12 March 2022, in a 7–4 victory over the Dallas Stars.{{cite web| url = https://nypost.com/2022/02/22/rangers-dryden-hunt-soaks-up-a-spot-on-second-line/ | title = Rangers' Dryden Hunt soaks up a spot on second line | work = New York Post | date = 2 February 2022 | access-date = 2 February 2022}} He finished the regular season finishing with career highs of 76 games for 6 goals, 11 assists and 17 points. He went scoreless in three playoff appearances as the Rangers reached the Eastern Conference finals.{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/hockey/story/2022-06-11/lightning-oust-rangers-advance-stanley-cup-final-against-avalanche |title=Lightning oust Rangers in Game 6, advance to Stanley Cup Final against Avalanche |last=Goodall |first=Fred |work=Los Angeles Times |date=11 June 2022 |access-date=21 October 2024}}

In his final season under contract with the Rangers, Hunt began the 2022–23 season by scoring one goal in three games before he was placed on waivers on 19 October 2022.{{cite web| url = https://www.amny.com/sports/rangers-dryden-hunt-on-waivers-roster-at-22/ | title = Rangers place Dryden Hunt on waivers | publisher = amny.com | date = 19 October 2022 | access-date = 19 October 2022}} He was claimed the following day by defending champions, the Colorado Avalanche, on 20 October 2022.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/avalanche/news/avalanche-claims-dryden-hunt/c-336594962 | title = Avalanche claims Dryden Hunt | publisher = Colorado Avalanche | date = 20 October 2022 | access-date = 20 October 2022 |via=NHL.com}}{{cite web| url = https://nypost.com/2022/10/21/rangers-lose-dryden-hunt-to-waivers-pickup-by-avalanche/ | title = Rangers lose Dryden Hunt to waivers pickup by Avalanche | work = New York Post | date = 21 October 2022 | access-date = 21 October 2022}} He made his debut on the fourth line with the Avalanche in a 3–2 defeat to the Seattle Kraken on 21 October 2022.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/news/seattle-kraken-colorado-avalanche-game-recap/c-336231052 | title = Kuhlman scores in third period, Kraken defeat Avalanche | publisher = National Hockey League | date = 21 October 2022 | access-date = 21 October 2022 |last=Boulding |first=Ryan}} He registered his first point and goal with the Avalanche, in his 15th appearance, helping Colorado to a 4–1 win over Dallas Stars on 26 November 2022.{{cite web| url = https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap/_/gameId/401458922 | title = Alexander Georgiev makes 41 saves, Avalanche outlast Stars | work= ESPN |agency=Associated Press | date = 26 November 2022 | access-date = 26 November 2022}}

After 25 appearances with the Avalanche, having registered a lone goal, Hunt was again on the move after he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Denis Malgin on 19 December 2022.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/news/maple-leafs-acquire-dryden-hunt-in-trade-with-colorado/c-338965706 | title = Maple Leafs acquire Dryden Hunt in trade with Colorado | publisher = Toronto Maple Leafs | date = 19 December 2022 | access-date = 20 December 2022 |via=NHL.com}} He scored his first goal for Toronto against the Florida Panthers on 17 January 2023.{{Cite web |title=Panthers vs. Maple Leafs - NHL Game Summary - January 17, 2023 |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/game/_/gameId/401459299 |access-date=4 March 2023 |website=ESPN}} Hunt made nine appearances with the Maple Leafs before he was waived and re-assigned to AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies on 23 January.{{cite web |url=https://www.saltwire.com/nova-scotia/sports/maple-leafs-notes-dryden-hunt-clears-waivers-assigned-to-marlies-100817157/ |title=Maple Leafs Notes: Dryden Hunt clears waivers, assigned to Marlies |work=SaltWire |last=Hornby |first=Lance |date=23 January 2023 |access-date=21 October 2024}} He played in 15 games with the Marlies, scoring four goals and nine points.

On 3 March 2023, the Maple Leafs traded Hunt to the Calgary Flames in exchange for forward Radim Zohorna.{{cite web |title=Flames acquire Dryden Hunt |url=https://www.nhl.com/flames/news/flames-acquire-dryden-hunt/c-341789004 |publisher=Calgary Flames |via=NHL.com |access-date=3 March 2023 |date=3 March 2023}} He was directly re-assigned to continue in the AHL with the Flames affiliate, the Calgary Wranglers, for the remainder of the season.{{cite web |url=https://calgarysun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/calgary-flames/calgary-wranglers/wranglers-report-flames-trade-acquisition-dryden-hunt-returns-home-sort-of |title=Wranglers Report: Flames’ trade acquisition Dryden Hunt returns home ... sort of |work=Calgary Sun |last=Gilbertson |first=Wes |date=6 March 2023 |access-date=19 December 2023}} As a free agent, Hunt opted to re-sign with Calgary in agreeing to a two-year, two-way contract on 2 July.{{cite web | url = https://www.nhl.com/flames/news/flames-announce-multiple-signings/c-345166874 | title = Flames announce multiple signings | publisher = Calgary Flames | date = 2 July 2023 | access-date =2 July 2023}} Hunt made the Flames roster out of training camp to begin the 2023–24 season, but after going pointless in four games, was placed on waivers on 7 November.{{cite web |url=https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/calgary-flames/news/flames-place-dryden-hunt-on-waivers |title=Flames place Dryden Hunt on waivers |work=The Hockey News |last=Sportak |first=Randy |date=7 November 2023 |access-date=19 December 2023}} After going unclaimed, Hunt was assigned to the Wranglers.{{cite web |url=https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/former-maple-leafs-jack-campbell-and-dryden-hunt-clear-waivers-andreas-johnsson-on-waivers-for-purposes-of-contract-termination |title=Former Maple Leafs Jack Campbell and Dryden Hunt Clear Waivers, Andreas Johnsson on Waivers for Purposes of Contract Termination |work=The Hockey News |last=Alter |first=David |date=8 November 2023 |access-date=19 December 2023}} He was recalled on 16 February 2024.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/flames/news/flames-recall-dryden-hunt-16-02-24 |title=Flames Recall Dryden Hunt |publisher=Calgary Flames |via=NHL.com |date=16 February 2024 |access-date=21 October 2024}} He scored his first goal with the Flames on 24 February against Stuart Skinner in a 6–3 victory over the Edmonton Oilers.{{cite web |url=https://calgaryherald.com/sports/hockey/nhl/calgary-flames/flames-snap-losing-skid-against-arch-rival-oilers |title=Flames snap losing skid against arch-rival Oilers |last=Gilbertson |first=Wes |work=Calgary Herald |date=24 February 2024 |access-date=21 October 2024}} He finished the season with the Flames, appearing in 28 games, scoring three goals and eight points. He also put up seven goals and 22 points in 23 games with the Wranglers.

After clearing waivers, Hunt was assigned to the Wranglers for the 2023–24 season.{{cite web |url=https://calgaryherald.com/sports/hockey/nhl/calgary-flames/barrie-has-signed-where-does-he-fit |title=Tyson Barrie has signed with the Calgary Flames. Where does he fit? |work=Calgary Herald |last=Austin |first=Tyler |date=4 October 2024 |access-date=21 October 2024}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Ice hockey stats}}

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Category:1995 births

Category:Living people

Category:Arizona Coyotes players

Category:Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in the United States

Category:Calgary Flames players

Category:Calgary Wranglers players

Category:Canadian ice hockey left wingers

Category:Colorado Avalanche players

Category:Florida Panthers players

Category:Ice hockey people from British Columbia

Category:Manchester Monarchs (ECHL) players

Category:Medicine Hat Tigers players

Category:Moose Jaw Warriors players

Category:New York Rangers players

Category:Sportspeople from Nelson, British Columbia

Category:Regina Pats players

Category:Springfield Thunderbirds players

Category:Toronto Maple Leafs players

Category:Toronto Marlies players

Category:Trail Smoke Eaters players

Category:Undrafted National Hockey League players

Category:21st-century Canadian sportsmen