Moose Jaw Warriors Dryden Hunt earns WHL player-of-the-week honours
By The Nelson Daily Sports
The awards just keeping coming in for Moose Jaw Warriors forward Dryden Hunt – and there’s still a month remaining in the season.
The Nelson Minor Hockey product was selected Western Hockey League player-of-the-week Monday after the Moose Jaw sniper potted six goals and three assists during three Warriors victories, during the week.
“When we acquired Dryden from Medicine Hat we were looking for a great person and a goal scorer, we got both and them some in Dryden,” said Warriors head coach Tim Hunter about the Nelson Minor Hockey product.
“We wanted someone to help our young developing team and players.
“Dryden has been great in the locker room and on the ice both in practice and in games in helping mentor our young players.”
The recent honour comes after the 20-year-old son of Carla DeBiasio and Jeff Hunt of Nelson earned WHL Player-of-the-month honours earlier this month. During January Hunt collected 24 points (nine goals, 15 assists).
The recent success isn’t a surprise to Hunter, a 16-year veteran of the National Hockey League.
“(Dryden’s) NHL calibre shot has helped our goalies face the best shooter in the WHL in practice and improve their game, he has also taught our players how to truly shoot the puck,” Hunter explained.
“Dryden has scored many big goals for us and has carried the team on his back many nights offensively, a role he relishes,” Hunter adds.
This past week Hunt scored three times to pick up the hat-trick and claim first star honours as the Warriors earned a 4-2 victory over Prince Albert Raiders
Hunt then tallied two points (1 goal -1assist) to help guide the Warriors to a 6-4 win against the Swift Current Broncos this past Friday. The following night, Hunt capped off a productive week with a four point (2 goals – 2 assists) outing against the Saskatoon Blades in a 7-4 victory.
Hunt was named the game’s first star for his efforts.
Monday, Hunt kept on rolling scoring three times while adding a pair of assists as the Warriors shutout Prince Albert Raiders 5-0.
Hunt is in his first season with Moose Jaw and his leadership qualities have helped the Warriors remain in third place in the East Division standings with a 32-21-1-2 record.
The recent offensive showing has the 6-foot, 201-pound forward along on top the WHL scoring leader board with 45 goals and 48 assists for 93 points — seven ahead of Brayden Burke of the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
The Warriors continue their playoff push Friday again in Prince Albert against the Raiders.
“Dryden has given himself up to coaching and has improved in some of his deficiencies over the season and continues to work at his overall game, this is another great quality of his leadership and will to be the best he can be,” Hunter said.
“We look forward to his contributions as we head into the playoff drive and into the playoffs as well.”
