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Barrie Colts Hunter Haight poised to make immediate impact in rookie season
(Photo: Sophia Rennie)

Barrie Colts Hunter Haight poised to make immediate impact in rookie season

BARRIE, Ontario — Barrie Colts rookie Hunter Haight is looking forward to getting the season started as the team inches closer to opening night. Haight was the Colts ninth overall pick at the 2020 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Priority Selection draft.

Having lost a year of hockey due to the pandemic, the 17-year-old is counting down the days to the Colts home and season opener against the Niagara IceDogs on Oct. 7.

“It’s going to be awesome. There’s going to be a big smile on my face. I’ve been waiting quite some time for it,” Haight said.

Coming off his first OHL camp, Haight said he really enjoyed the experience and the opportunity to get to know his teammates.

“Coming in as a young guy, technically a second-year guy, but still a rookie, it was fun and the guys were great,” Haight said. “It was high-paced, high-tempo, guys seemed to click right away, and we had quite a few guys who played pretty well throughout camp.”

Having already played some preseason games, Haight said the intelligence of players and the speed of the game were two things he noticed right away.

“Players are older, stronger, faster and you have to think the game a lot quicker than in minor hockey, minor midget,” Haight said. “You have to make sure you are paying attention and be on your game at all times.”

Haight said he takes pride in being a 200-foot centremen, responsible in both ends of the ice.

“I know the defensive side is more important than the offense and good defense will bring good offense,” Haight said. “I think I am a smart player who makes the right plays at the right time.”

Marty Williamson, the Colts’ general manager and head coach, feels the same way and sees Haight making an immediate impact.

“I see a real good hockey player and a really good young man. I’m really excited. He reminds me of Bryan Little when I first came into the league,” Williamson said. “We had this unassuming guy who was really good at everything. That’s what we see with Hunter.”

Haight said he isn’t worried about stats at this point and is focused on getting better every day.

“I want to make sure I am playing the right way. That builds trust with coaches, with teammates and other players. Goals and stuff like that, I don’t want to focus on that,” Haight said. “It will come if I’m playing the right way and sticking to what the team needs and focusing on the game plan.”

As for where Haight will play in the lineup, Williamson said it will be somewhere in the middle six.

“If we want to go deep into the playoffs and he’s our third-line centre, we’re a pretty good hockey team,” Williamson said. “Right now, he may be our second-line centre and he’s going to get the opportunity to show us what he can do.”

Haight scored his first preseason goal against the Kitchener Rangers in Saturday’s 5-4 shootout win. He also added an assist that game and now has two points in three preseason games.

Haight was one of several junior players who took part in Hockey Canada’s under-18 team summer development camp in Calgary from July 25 to Aug. 4.

This is an unedited user writing submission. The views, information, or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Best Version Media or its employees.