Daemon Hunt (4.5 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — B+) Defense
Neutral Zone NHL’s Donald Godreau, June 2020: After a season derailed by a gruesome cut to his forearm, most prospects might have fallen off some scouts radars, but not Daemon Hunt. While his playing time was limited this year, there is no denying the attributes he has that will make him successful at the next level. First and foremost, Daemon is an excellent skater. He moves with an ultra smooth stride, easy speed, quick feet, and generates good acceleration out of his stops and starts. When carrying the puck, he moves with confidence, his head is constantly scanning, and he can adjust at top speed to find that right target at the last second. He moves fast, and he gets pucks out of his zone with ease. Off of the puck, he uses his feet to keep gaps tight and challenge skaters into rushed decisions. He moves like silk, and angles guys out of the play consistently. While he isn’t a ferocious defender, he is an ultra smart one. He uses his feet, and active stick to constantly keep pressure on opponents, and he anticipates really well and will meet plays head on as they are developing. Offensively he is an excellent facilitator, especially on the power play where his natural sense of calm allows him to assess multiple options in a short span and make the best decision. He moves laterally well, and can slip past aggressive defenders with just a couple of strides. He has a good shot, not elite. Daemon uses it smartly, and it we feel it’s accuracy is his best attribute. He can get his slap shot off fairly quick, but when he wants to put some zip on his wrister and can be a bit deliberate. Hunt is a solid defensemen who uses his mobility, brains, and calmness to make a difference in all three zones. Grade: B
Daemon Hunt NHL Scouting Report, March 2020: Ian Moran’s thoughts (1) Brain – Offensively we really like how Daemon sees the game. He makes very good reads on when to jump into the play as a second wave or to create an odd man situation. In transition he makes quick tape to tape passes when they are available, while also showing the ability to recognize when using the boards is the right play. (2) Vision & Poise – He is skilled with the puck and has a smooth first touch. He does an excellent job settling poor passes or bouncing pucks during neutral zone transition and hitting his forwards in stride on weakside or stretch passes. On defensive zone breakouts Daemon has the ability to find the low forward. His passes are easy to handle. (3) Feet – He is an excellent skater. Smooth long stride, easy pivots and closing speed to pinch off line rushes. (4) Compete & Effort – Daemon wins 50-50 battles and we feel he has the frame to continue winning them in professional hockey. (5) Contact or Physicality – He is strong enough and has a powerful first step that allows him to eliminate opposing forwards during the cycle. (6) Release – Smooth quick release while walking the blueline. He finds shooting lanes and generates rebounds. (7) One Timer Ability – Daemon is a talented offensive defenseman who can one fire pucks from a variety of different shooting angles. (8) Body Language – He is an Assistant Captain. It is obvious that both his teammates and opponents respect him. (9) Special Teams Potential – He has the offensive instincts to be a power play option in the NHL. His skating ability and quickness will help him to be a penalty killer. (10) Intangibles – During the 2019-20 season Moose Jaw was negative (-145) in goals against on the season, while Daemon checked in at a personal negative (-24). During the 2018-19 season Moose Jaw was plus (+42) for the season and Daemon was personal plus (+21). We feel Daemon is a solid two way defenseman who has top 4 NHL potential.
February NHL Draft Rankings: Daemon was ranked #78 with a ‘B+’ Neutral Zone NHL 2020 draft grade.
December 1st NHL Draft Rankings – Who are our Top 64 rated draft eligible players?, December 2019: Daemon was ranked #48 in Neutral Zone’s December draft rankings. He had a ‘B+’ Neutral Zone NHL draft grade.
WHL – Ranking the 2020 NHL Draft Prospects, October 2019: Daemon was Neutral Zone’s 8th highest ranked Western Hockey League 2020 NHL Draft prospect. He had a ‘B+’ Neutral Zone NHL draft grade.
Neutral Zone Director of Scouting, Brendan Collins: A good puck moving defenseman, who has lots of poise in his game. On offense he has a heavy slap shot that he loves to get off on the power play. In transition, he is very alert with the puck and can make passes on the fly as well as slip through defenders with his smooth stride and effortless transitions. Playing with more aggression in the defensive end and trusting his feet more will help him become a better defender.