Back in the Hunt
Oct.6, 2007
By Robert Mangelsdorf
Maple Ridge News
When the Vancouver Giants poured off the bench to celebrate their first ever Memorial Cup win last May, there was one among them who may have appeared out of place.
There, in the pile of burgundy jerseys, was the number 24.
It was the first time in three months Giants fans had seen since that number in home colours on the ice at the Pacific Coliseum.
Though bedecked in a jersey, the player wore no pads or a helmet, and ran across the ice in his shoes, not skates.
But that Garet Hunt was able to run onto the ice at all was something of miracle.
In a WHL game against the Kamloops Blazers last February, Hunt missed a check on defenceman Jordan Rowley and went flying into the boards at full speed, shattering his femur.
As Hunt lay motionless on the ice, the crowd at the Pacific Coliseum fell silent. Hunt, known for never going down, did just that.
“The first thing I remember thinking about was, ‘Am I going to be OK for the playoffs?’” he says.
The answer was no.
Hunt required surgery to piece together his shattered leg. Where there was once bone now lies a 40 cm titanium rod.
For a player that lives to play hockey, having to sit out the rest of the season and watch his teammates soldier on without him hurt worse than any broken bone.
"It was really hard not to be playing," says Hunt, a Maple Ridge native. "I was shaking the whole time I watched the final."
Since his injury, Hunt has spent nearly every waking moment training to get back in playing form: acupuncture, physiotherapy, massage therapy, cardio training, dry-land training – anything to get himself back on the ice so he can once again hoist the Memorial Cup with his teammates, this time with his skates on.
“I just want to pick up where I left off,” he says. “I want to be the same player and bring the same intensity.”
Hunt credits his quick turnaround to Adam Francilia and the staff of Fitlife Sports Performance in Maple Ridge, who worked after-hours with him to get him back in shape.
“I would not be back this season without their help,” he says. “They really looked after me.”
Hunt is not the kind of player you want to underestimate. Those that do, quickly find themselves lying flat on the ice, asking themselves what just happened.
The 5’8”, 175-pound left winger plays the game of hockey at a speed and intensity rarely seen. No one was surprised when he was voted the Giants most inspirational player last season.
He has a well-earned reputation for being fearless. That much was evident when he went toe-to-toe with 6’5”, 245 pound Blazer Matt Kassian last season, standing his ground where dozens before him could not.
Perhaps it was not surprising that someone who only knows how to play on the edge should get injured so badly.
But the idea of life without hockey is unthinkable to Hunt.
“It’s all I want to do,” he says of playing professionally someday. “I’ll play anywhere.”
Hunt learned to skate at the age of two and was soon playing hockey with his brother Trevor, one year his senior.
There was no league for children that young so Hunt’s father Chris bought ice time for the boys and their friends at 8 Rinks in Burnaby so they could have a chance to play.
Their shared love for the game brought Trevor and Garet to the Chilliwack Chiefs in the BCHL in 2003, and in no time, Hunt’s inspired play caught the attention of Vancouver Giants scouting staff.
While most players would jump at the chance to play major junior hockey, for Hunt it wasn’t so simple.
“It was the hardest decision I’ve ever made,” he says of coming to the Giants. “Me and my brother are best friends and I didn’t want to leave, but it’s been a chance for me to become more independent.”
Hunt has fast become a fan favourite in Vancouver for his gutsy play and his never-say-die attitude.
“I try to play every shift like it’s my last shift,” he explains. “I know what it’s like to be benched, so I go out there and try to make sure that my next shift is always better than my last shift.”
It’s that attitude that’s helped motivate him through his arduous recovery process.
Hunt’s progress even caught the attention of the Vancouver Canucks, who invited him to their rookie prospects camp in September, despite the fact he hadn’t played a game in seven months.
Although he did not make the team, the experience strengthened his resolve to play professionally.
“Putting on that jersey,” he says. “Made me want it so much more.”
That being said, he’s more than happy to be back with his brothers-in-arms on the Giants.
“I feel like I’m part of something special here,” he says of his team. “There’s a real bond with these guys.”
Now in his final year of eligibility, Hunt remains undrafted, but undaunted, in his quest to play professional hockey.
As if to let the world know that he will again be a force to be reckoned with, Hunt dropped his gloves two seconds into the Giants season opener against the Everett Silvertips last month, and squared off against fellow Maple Ridge native and training partner Brennan Sonne.
Take notice, world.
Hunt is back.
By Robert Mangelsdorf
Maple Ridge News
When the Vancouver Giants poured off the bench to celebrate their first ever Memorial Cup win last May, there was one among them who may have appeared out of place.
There, in the pile of burgundy jerseys, was the number 24.
It was the first time in three months Giants fans had seen since that number in home colours on the ice at the Pacific Coliseum.
Though bedecked in a jersey, the player wore no pads or a helmet, and ran across the ice in his shoes, not skates.
But that Garet Hunt was able to run onto the ice at all was something of miracle.
In a WHL game against the Kamloops Blazers last February, Hunt missed a check on defenceman Jordan Rowley and went flying into the boards at full speed, shattering his femur.
As Hunt lay motionless on the ice, the crowd at the Pacific Coliseum fell silent. Hunt, known for never going down, did just that.
“The first thing I remember thinking about was, ‘Am I going to be OK for the playoffs?’” he says.
The answer was no.
Hunt required surgery to piece together his shattered leg. Where there was once bone now lies a 40 cm titanium rod.
For a player that lives to play hockey, having to sit out the rest of the season and watch his teammates soldier on without him hurt worse than any broken bone.
"It was really hard not to be playing," says Hunt, a Maple Ridge native. "I was shaking the whole time I watched the final."
Since his injury, Hunt has spent nearly every waking moment training to get back in playing form: acupuncture, physiotherapy, massage therapy, cardio training, dry-land training – anything to get himself back on the ice so he can once again hoist the Memorial Cup with his teammates, this time with his skates on.
“I just want to pick up where I left off,” he says. “I want to be the same player and bring the same intensity.”
Hunt credits his quick turnaround to Adam Francilia and the staff of Fitlife Sports Performance in Maple Ridge, who worked after-hours with him to get him back in shape.
“I would not be back this season without their help,” he says. “They really looked after me.”
Hunt is not the kind of player you want to underestimate. Those that do, quickly find themselves lying flat on the ice, asking themselves what just happened.
The 5’8”, 175-pound left winger plays the game of hockey at a speed and intensity rarely seen. No one was surprised when he was voted the Giants most inspirational player last season.
He has a well-earned reputation for being fearless. That much was evident when he went toe-to-toe with 6’5”, 245 pound Blazer Matt Kassian last season, standing his ground where dozens before him could not.
Perhaps it was not surprising that someone who only knows how to play on the edge should get injured so badly.
But the idea of life without hockey is unthinkable to Hunt.
“It’s all I want to do,” he says of playing professionally someday. “I’ll play anywhere.”
Hunt learned to skate at the age of two and was soon playing hockey with his brother Trevor, one year his senior.
There was no league for children that young so Hunt’s father Chris bought ice time for the boys and their friends at 8 Rinks in Burnaby so they could have a chance to play.
Their shared love for the game brought Trevor and Garet to the Chilliwack Chiefs in the BCHL in 2003, and in no time, Hunt’s inspired play caught the attention of Vancouver Giants scouting staff.
While most players would jump at the chance to play major junior hockey, for Hunt it wasn’t so simple.
“It was the hardest decision I’ve ever made,” he says of coming to the Giants. “Me and my brother are best friends and I didn’t want to leave, but it’s been a chance for me to become more independent.”
Hunt has fast become a fan favourite in Vancouver for his gutsy play and his never-say-die attitude.
“I try to play every shift like it’s my last shift,” he explains. “I know what it’s like to be benched, so I go out there and try to make sure that my next shift is always better than my last shift.”
It’s that attitude that’s helped motivate him through his arduous recovery process.
Hunt’s progress even caught the attention of the Vancouver Canucks, who invited him to their rookie prospects camp in September, despite the fact he hadn’t played a game in seven months.
Although he did not make the team, the experience strengthened his resolve to play professionally.
“Putting on that jersey,” he says. “Made me want it so much more.”
That being said, he’s more than happy to be back with his brothers-in-arms on the Giants.
“I feel like I’m part of something special here,” he says of his team. “There’s a real bond with these guys.”
Now in his final year of eligibility, Hunt remains undrafted, but undaunted, in his quest to play professional hockey.
As if to let the world know that he will again be a force to be reckoned with, Hunt dropped his gloves two seconds into the Giants season opener against the Everett Silvertips last month, and squared off against fellow Maple Ridge native and training partner Brennan Sonne.
Take notice, world.
Hunt is back.
posted by Robert Mangelsdorf at
8:44 PM
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