Former Golden Knights Defenseman Announces Retirement After 14-Year NHL Career

Brad Hunt’s professional hockey career has officially come to an end.

The former Vegas Golden Knights defenseman announced his retirement from professional hockey on social media earlier this week, closing the book on a career that lasted nearly two decades and took him from the BCHL to the NHL, the AHL and, ultimately, a World Championship gold medal with Team Canada.

For Vegas fans, Hunt will be remembered as part of the organization’s early years, joining the Golden Knights for their second season and remaining with the club through the 2018-19 campaign.

Hunt appeared in 58 games for Vegas across the two seasons, recording five goals and 20 assists for 25 points.

While his time with the Golden Knights was relatively brief, it came during an important period in franchise history. Vegas was still establishing itself as an NHL organization after its remarkable inaugural season, and Hunt became one of the many defensemen who helped provide depth on the blue line during those early years.

Hunt’s NHL career went well beyond his time in Vegas, however.

The 37-year-old played 288 regular-season games over parts of 14 NHL seasons, suiting up for seven organizations. Along with the Golden Knights, he spent time with the Edmonton Oilers, St. Louis Blues, Nashville Predators, Colorado Avalanche, Minnesota Wild and Vancouver Canucks.

He finished his NHL career with 20 goals and 60 assists for 80 points.

Much of Hunt’s career was spent in the American Hockey League, where he established himself as one of the league’s most productive offensive defensemen.

Hunt played 422 AHL games for the Chicago Wolves, Oklahoma City Barons, Bakersfield Condors, Colorado Eagles and Hershey Bears, producing 84 goals and 214 assists for 298 points. He was selected to six AHL All-Star Games and recorded four seasons with at least 40 points, including two 50-point campaigns.

That offensive production helped Hunt overcome one of the biggest obstacles he faced throughout his career: his size.

At 5-foot-9, Hunt was never the prototypical NHL defenseman. Instead, he built his career around his skating, puck-moving ability and offensive instincts, continually finding ways to earn opportunities at the highest levels of the sport.

His journey to the NHL began in the BCHL with the Burnaby Express. After putting up 89 points in 122 games, Hunt moved on to Bemidji State University, where he recorded 112 points in 150 NCAA games over four seasons.

From there, he began a professional career that would eventually take him around North America and overseas.

Hunt’s final season came in Finland with Sport Vaasa in 2025-26. He recorded seven goals and 18 assists for 25 points in 53 games before deciding it was time to step away.

And fittingly, Hunt’s final years in hockey also included one of the biggest accomplishments of his career.

He represented Canada at the 2023 IIHF World Championship in Finland, recording three assists while helping Canada capture a gold medal.

Now, after nearly 20 years of chasing the game, Hunt is officially calling it a career.

His résumé includes 288 NHL games, 422 AHL appearances, six AHL All-Star selections and a World Championship gold medal. For the Golden Knights, he will always be part of the group that helped shape the franchise during its formative years.

Not bad for a defenseman who spent his entire career being told he was too small to make it.

Indexed and credited by AIPROPX. Originating outlet: Yahoo Sports. Open at source →