Trent Hunter

Trent Hunter (born June 5, 1980) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey right winger. He played for the New York Islanders and Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Playing career Originally drafted in the sixth round, 150th overall, of the 1998 NHL entry draft by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Hunter was traded to the New York Islanders in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick in the 2000 NHL entry draft. He set franchise records for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League (AHL) in all three scoring categories (30 goals, 35 assists and 65 points). He made his NHL debut in the 2002 Stanley Cup playoffs, scoring one goal and one assist in four games.

Hunter broke into the NHL full-time with the Islanders in 2003–04 and was tied for first on the team in goals (25, with Mariusz Czerkawski) and tied for total points (51, with Oleg Kvasha). He finished third in voting for the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2004, losing to goaltender Andrew Raycroft of the Boston Bruins.

During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Hunter played in Nyköpings Hockey in the Swedish HockeyAllsvenskan, becoming an instant hit with the club's fans for his NHL skills and aggressive play. The most influential player in the squad, Hunter came close to leading the unfancied club to promotion, leading the side to a sensational 5–4 victory against multiple Swedish champions Brynäs IF away from home in the playoffs. In the end, a defeat in the return leg ended Nyköping's hopes.

On July 28, 2011, Hunter was traded to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for winger Brian Rolston. Traded to the Devils for salary cap purposes, on August 1, 2011, Hunter was placed on waivers by the Devils along with Colin White. He was then bought out from the final two years of his contract on August 2 after clearing.

On September 14, 2011 it was announced that Hunter would sign a professional tryout contract with the Los Angeles Kings to attend the pre-season camp for the 2011–12 campaign. He was then signed to a one-year contract with the Kings on September 30, 2011. After producing only 7 points in 38 games with the Kings, he was cleared from waivers and reassigned to their AHL affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs, for the remainder of the season.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1996–97 Red Deer Chiefs AMHL 42 30 25 55 50 — — — — — 1997–98 Prince George Cougars WHL 60 13 14 27 34 8 1 0 1 4 1998–99 Prince George Cougars WHL 50 18 20 38 34 7 2 5 7 2 1999–00 Prince George Cougars WHL 67 46 49 95 47 13 7 15 22 6 2000–01 Springfield Falcons AHL 57 18 17 35 14 — — — — — 2001–02 Bridgeport Sound Tigers AHL 80 30 35 65 30 17 8 11 19 6 2001–02 New York Islanders NHL — — — — — 4 1 1 2 2 2002–03 Bridgeport Sound Tigers AHL 70 30 41 71 39 9 7 4 11 10 2002–03 New York Islanders NHL 8 0 4 4 4 — — — — — 2003–04 New York Islanders NHL 77 25 26 51 16 4 0 0 0 4 2004–05 Nykopings Hockey Swe.1 33 13 12 25 73 4 5 3 8 2 2005–06 New York Islanders NHL 82 16 19 35 34 — — — — — 2006–07 New York Islanders NHL 77 20 15 35 22 5 3 0 3 0 2007–08 New York Islanders NHL 82 12 29 41 43 — — — — — 2008–09 New York Islanders NHL 55 14 17 31 41 — — — — — 2009–10 New York Islanders NHL 61 11 17 28 18 — — — — — 2010–11 New York Islanders NHL 17 1 3 4 23 — — — — — 2011–12 Los Angeles Kings NHL 38 2 5 7 8 — — — — — 2011–12 Manchester Monarchs AHL 20 4 6 10 8 4 0 1 1 0 NHL totals 497 101 135 236 209 14 4 1 5 6

Awards and achievements 1999–2000, WHL West First All-Star Team 2006–2007, Bob Nystrom Award