Down on the Farm: Prospects on Similar Journey to the State of Hockey

To say Minnesota Wild prospects Daemon Hunt and Ryan O'Rourke have taken similar hockey journeys would be an understatement. The two rookie defensemen share a tremendous amount in common, yet possess their own uniqueness which makes each one a high-end prospect within the organization.

It all started in May of 2002, when they were born 24 hours apart. Hunt arrived on May 15 in Brandon, Manitoba, and O'Rourke on May 16 in Pickering, Ontario. You could say it's a stretch, but that set the stage of what was to come. Both shared the Canadian dream of one day playing in the NHL. The two grew up to become good defensemen, each with a lefthanded shot and the ability to play a two-way game.
By age 17, they were among the best defensemen (for their age) in Canada. Hunt and O'Rourke began playing internationally for team Canada, with each earning a spot on the U-17, U-18, and U-20 teams.
"We kind of came up through the ranks together," explained Hunt. "We've been on a lot of the same teams, so we've gotten to know each other well. He's a great person and a great player. We are both very competitive, but I think it's a good competitiveness. We feed off each other."
"We've had probably three world junior camps together and so we've gotten to know each other pretty good over the years," added O'Rourke. "We've built a very good relationship."
The Minnesota Wild thought highly enough of the defenders and ensured their time together would be extended in 2020. Minnesota drafted O'Rourke in the second round (#39 overall) of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft and followed up in the third round by selecting Hunt (#65 overall).
"It's probably going on about four years that we've been together," said O'Rourke. "I think we've had probably two or three training camps together. We're down here together (in Des Moines). We kind of just follow each other around."
Even when COVID forced the shutdown of the Canadian junior system, the two found themselves gaining valuable experience with the AHL's Iowa Wild during the 2020-21 season. At the ripe age of 18, both were cutting their teeth at the pro level. O'Rourke logged 33 games in Iowa and Hunt suited up for six. Hunt and O'Rourke returned to their junior teams in 2021-22 and have turned pro for 2022-23.
"I think coming back this year, just having that experience of what to know and what to expect," said O'Rourke. "I think it has really helped me shift my game here and progress."
"The time I was here and those six games I got in were huge," said the 20-year-old Hunt. "I experienced the pro style of life. I got few games under my belt, which helped me get a feel for it."
Their development has been praised by their coaches and teammates alike. Iowa Wild assistant coach Nolan Yonkman, who played 76 games in the NHL over his 18-year career, explained that the mental aspect of the pro game is really where the most development takes place in young players.
"The hardest thing is that mental part of the game and learning the American League," said Yonkman. "Just knowing that everybody's a good player. Once they realize that, they kind of evolve their game and find their identity."
Evolving usually takes support of veteran teammates. Daemon Hunt has been paired with Joe Hicketts this season, while O'Rourke has been partnered Dakota Mermis.
"I can remember playing last year for Minnesota in preseason with him (Mermis) at St. Louis," explained O'Rourke. "Just for us, I think it was an easy game. Just the chemistry we had and the connection. Working together that way I think was very beneficial to me early in my career. I think that continues here."
"He's (Hicketts) a good mentor," added Hunt. "I'm learning from him every day. He's a good character guy. I love the guy. He gives me tips here and there. I think we feed off each other well on the ice. He is very vocal, which really helps."
Hunt and O'Rourke experienced success together as members of Team Canada's U-20 squad that claimed a gold medal in August at the World Junior Championships. O'Rourke, Hunt, and fellow Minnesota prospect Carson Lambos (R1-#26 MN 2021) were each awarded a gold medal and will soon receive a ring from Team Canada. Unfortunately, Hunt was unable to play due to a broken finger but stayed with the team throughout the tournament for a memory he will never forget when he received his gold medal.
"It's so hard to describe," elaborated Hunt. "Just growing up watching that tournament and then to be part of it and get your name called. Then they put the gold medal around your neck. It's hard to put into words."
"It was definitely something I've watched for a while and something that I've wanted for a while," added O'Rourke. "It's kind of indescribable. I think my heart was probably just pounding and it kind of seemed like the whole arena, the whole city, the whole country was, you know, kind of over top of us on our backs, you know, cheering us on."
World Juniors is back in its normal spot with the tournament starting on December 26 and running through January 5 in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Moncton, NB. As always, the tournament will be filled with NHL prospects, which includes Lambos and forward Caedan Bankier (R3-#86 MN 2021) for team Canada. Defenseman Jack Peart (R2-#54 MN 2021) suits up for Team USA and Liam Ohgren (R1-#19 MN 2022) will play for Sweden.
Hunt and O'Rourke will likely watch a few games of the tournament while cheering for a repeat gold medal performance by Canada. More importantly, the 20-year-olds will continue their development in Des Moines and aim for the next stage in their career.
Minnesota Wild fans should almost expect to see one followed by the other. The same pattern that began during a 24-hour stretch of time in May of 2002.