Another graduating Melfort Mustang has found a home for post-secondary hockey.
Defenceman Andrew Hunt has committed to Carleton University in Ottawa, Ont. for the 2021/2022 season. Hunt told northeastNOW that it’s a relief to finally know what is to come for his hockey career.
“Really nice to be able to have a goal to focus on,” said Hunt. “And something to wrap my mind around, and think about as I start to have a great summer here.
On the ice, he said there hasn’t been much talk about his role but he’s prepared to compete for a spot and be responsible at both ends of the ice.
The Gibbons, B.C. product came to Melfort partway through the 2019/2020 season in a trade with the Lloydminster Bobcats of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL). Even while he was a bit apprehensive at first coming to Saskatchewan for the first time, said Hunt, in the middle of winter, the team took him in immediately.
“I loved it,” Hunt said. “I can’t say enough good things about Melfort, the town and a place to play.”
In 19 regular season games after coming to Melfort, Hunt had one goal and four assists. He also played in all four playoff games and tallied one goal; however, it was a massive goal, an overtime winner in game three of their series against Estevan before the playoffs were cut short due to COVID-19.
Hunt was then named an assistant captain for the Mustangs to begin the 2020/2021 season, which was ultimately cut short to COVID-19 once again. He said having two seasons affected like that feels really unfair for the players who have invested a great deal of their lives to the game.
“I feel bad for everyone who had our playoffs cut short, and then our [20-year-old] seasons cut short,” Hunt said. “Because that’s a big year.”
Hunt played five games to begin the 2020/2021 season, tallying two assists.
Prior to his time in Melfort, Hunt also played in 80 total games in the AJHL with Olds, and then Lloydminster. He had 13 points in those 80 career games.
Looking forward, Hunt said he’s excited to play hockey for a school again as he previously played for Burnaby Winter Club Academy in B.C. for some of his U18 and U15 hockey.
He plans on taking Mathematics while at Carleton University.
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mat.barret@pattisonmedia.com
