Former Canucks Defenseman Retires After 10 NHL Seasons

Brad Hunt, a former defenseman for the Vancouver Canucks, has officially retired from professional hockey. He announced his decision on his personal Instagram account on August 3, 2026. Hunt concluded his playing career this past season with Vaasan Sport in Finland's Liiga, where he contributed seven goals, 18 assists, and 25 points over 53 games.

During his single season with the Canucks in 2021-22, the 5-foot-9 defenseman played 50 games, tallying three goals, 14 assists, and 17 points. He proved to be a reliable depth player, providing offensive contributions from the blue line. Hunt's tenure with Vancouver ended when he signed with the Colorado Avalanche in free agency in the 2022 offseason.

Hunt's NHL career spanned 10 seasons and 288 games across seven teams, including the Oilers, Blues, Golden Knights, Wild, Canucks, and Avalanche. He registered 26 goals, 60 assists, and 86 points. His best NHL performance came in the 2019-20 season with the Wild, achieving personal bests of eight goals and 19 points in 59 games. Notably, Hunt was an undrafted player who earned his NHL opportunities through hard work.

Prior to and alongside his NHL career, Hunt excelled in the American Hockey League (AHL). He played 422 games over nine seasons for multiple teams, scoring 84 goals and 214 assists for 298 points. He was a three-time AHL All-Star and a two-time first-team All-Star, solidifying his reputation as a high-impact offensive defenseman at that level.