The Vancouver Canucks' American Hockey League affiliate Chicago Wolves have signed former Bemidji State defenseman Brad Hunt to an amateur tryout agreement.
Hunt made his debut Wednesday when Chicago faced Peoria. Hunt led the team with six shots in a 3-1 loss.
"Brad earned this opportunity," said BSU head coach Tom Serratore. "He was a high-profile defenseman who played a vital role for us over the course of the last four seasons. Brad is an intriguing player because although he may be an undersized defenseman, he's got extremely good offensive skills and he is a player who has played in every situation for us.
"This is an exciting opportunity for Brad to get acclimated to pro hockey while playing for Chicago at the triple-A level," Serratore said. "It's just one step away from the National Hockey League."
Hunt will play out the remainder of the season with the team, which includes at least 15 regular-season games over the next five weeks, with the hope of catching on with the squad for 2012-13.
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One of eight BSU players to see time in all 38 games this winter, the alternate captain led the Beavers with 21 assists while tying teammate Shea Walters for second on the team with 26 points as a senior.
Hunt led BSU with seven multi-point games in 2011-12, which included a team-best five multi-assist efforts.
In a Bemidji State record 150 games played, Hunt accumulated 24 goals and 88 assists for 112 points. He leaves the BSU hockey program as its top-scoring defenseman of all time and also holds BSU's NCAA Division I-era mark (since 1999-2000) for assists.
Hunt will not be among strangers in Chicago. Former BSU goaltender Matt Clime (2004-08) is also currently on the Wolves' roster. Although they were not teammates, the bond of honing their hockey skills in the same college program, under the same coaching staff will add comfort for the transitioning Hunt.
Climie has compiled a 16-9 record this season with a .921 save percentage and a 2.59 goals against average.
The Chicago Wolves are 32-21-3-5 and in second place in the Western Conference's Midwest Division.
