- Oct 16, 2026
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SportsMafia Wire graphic. Team logos and player headshots via ESPN.
Daemon Hunt has rapidly become a larger presence on the Minnesota blue line since the club reclaimed him off waivers from Columbus less than a year after trading him away.
The 24-year-old defenseman, originally a 2020 third-round selection by the Wild, logged a season-high 16:27 of ice time during Thursday's 5-4 victory over the St. Louis Blues. He contributed 1:42 on the penalty kill and fired two shots while skating alongside Zach Bogosian, a Stanley Cup champion with Tampa Bay Lightning.
Injuries to Brock Faber, Jared Spurgeon and Olli Maatta have thrust Hunt into expanded duties at even strength and on the penalty kill. He has been working with assistant coach Patrick Dwyer on specific details in practice and drawing guidance from veterans including Quinn, Spurgeon and Brodin.
Hunt is also adjusting to NHL in-game iPads for instant video review, a tool unavailable during his AHL stints. "I've got to step my game up," he said.
Minnesota will host Columbus at Grand Casino Arena on Sunday, giving Hunt a matchup against the club that briefly held his rights.
Written by the SportsMafia Wire desk in our own words from the original reporting (AI-assisted, checked against the source).