Hunter Haight's First NHL Point: A Milestone Amidst Challenges
ST. PAUL, Minn. - For Hunter Haight, a dream came true on the ice, even as his team faced a tough night. In a gritty matchup between the Minnesota Wild (39-19-12) and the Chicago Blackhawks (26-30-12), Haight notched his first NHL point, marking a significant milestone in his budding career.
Skating in just his sixth game of the season and first in over two months, Haight’s moment was a long time coming. It's a milestone that every young player envisions, and for Haight, it finally became reality.
The lead-up to this achievement had its quirks. Haight humorously recalled dodging a grueling morning skate after being informed of his call-up. Kirill Kaprizov, testing an injury during the morning skate, decided not to play, paving the way for Haight’s inclusion in the lineup.
“They actually let me know before that happened, so I was able to get off the ice,” Haight shared with a grin.
Once the game began, Haight seamlessly integrated into the action. Beyond his first point, he delivered strong shifts and drew a penalty, showcasing his growing confidence at the NHL level.
Despite the personal success, the Wild fell short in the game, a reality Haight took in stride. “I mean, I think we did a lot of good things,” he noted.
“At the end of the day, our chances didn’t go in and theirs did. Just move on to the next one.”
In the second period, Haight set up Nico Sturm for a goal, pulling the Wild within one. This assist marked Haight’s first point in his second professional season.
“It’s great. Really happy for Hunter,” Wild head coach John Hynes said.
“He’s developed his game. I think (Greg) Cronin and those guys have done a good job down there with him, and you’ve seen progressive growth from him.
This is basically the end of his second year pro. So, he looked quick, strong and confident.
He was pretty good in the faceoff circle.”
Haight’s journey has been shaped in the American Hockey League with Iowa, where he has honed his skills over the past two seasons. While his stats might not always stand out, the growth behind the scenes has been consistent.
“Yeah, for sure, I think I’ve been developing these last two years pretty well,” Haight said. “The American League obviously helps with that. So, yeah, no, it’s good.”
For prospects like Haight, the AHL is a critical proving ground, helping players refine their skills, adjust to the professional pace, and build habits essential for NHL success.
His performance during this call-up, highlighted by his first point, signals that his development is paying off.
“You see that with young players, where they get opportunities, then they go back down,” Hynes explained. “I think he’s put in some work.
I think the coaching staff has done a good job with him, and it’s nice to see a young guy come up and play the way that he did. So, that’s good for him.”
While it took time for Haight to re-enter the lineup, his first NHL point is now a reality and likely the start of more to come.