Hunter Haight drove alone for 13 hours to Minnesota for training camp but now is ready to play in his first preseason game this year.
ST. PAUL - Hunter Haight drove 13 hours straight to Minnesota at the beginning of September for Wild training camp. He only stopped for gas and food. No hotel stops to stay the night and he did it all by himself.
The 5-foot-11 forward did it by listening to podcasts and music. The view of the drive wasn't all that bad either.
“It was pretty nice. Just highway for the most part. Just hit traffic in Chicago," Haight said. "But other than that, it was pretty quick.”
Haight, 20, is entering his third training camp of his career but is set to play in his first professional season after spending the last four years in the OHL with the Barrie Colts and Saginaw Spirit.
In 193 career games in the OHL Haight recorded 68 goals, 100 assists, and 168 points. He won the Memorial Cup last year with the Spirit.
Haight's journey to his first professional season was from Strathroy, Ontario, to Minnesota. He seems hungry to impress the Wild brass before he turns pro.
“It’s more of a behind the scenes thing," Haight said with all the eyes on him. "When you’re out there playing, practicing, you don’t really notice them but you know they’re up there so you want to make sure that you’re doing everything to the best of your ability at all times and just show who you are.”
Tonight, Haight will play in his first preseason game of the season.
“I’d say we’re going to be given roles, if you’re playing and stick to that and do what you’re good at," Haight said on wanting to impress tonight. "Don’t try to be a hero or anything. Stick to what you’re good at and do what you’re told out there.”
The Wild prospect will skate on a line with Devin Shore and Ben Jones tonight in Dallas.
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