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Wild prospect takes nasty elbow to head in preseason opener

Originally posted on FanNation Bring Me The Sports
By Jonathan Harrison | Last updated 9/25/23

In the middle of a meaningless exhibition game Minnesota Wild rookie forward Daemon Hunt was on the receiving end of a nasty elbow to the jaw that ended his day early.

In the second period of the first preseason game, Hunt was skating around the back of his own net when Colorado forward Tanner Kero caught him the face with an elbow. Hunt went down and stayed down before eventually leaving the ice.

"We didn't like the hit and I guess it's a coincidental. We think he probably could've maybe slid out of the way. He's a pretty vulnerable guy," said Wild head coach Dean Evason. "It's unfortunate for a young guy."

Kero has played five seasons in the NHL, three for Chicago and two for Dallas. The 31-year-old spent last season with Dallas' AHL affiliate, the Texas Stars.

Hunt was a third-round pick by the Wild in the 2020 NHL Draft, scoring two goals and nine assists for the Iowa Wild in 59 games last season. He's considered one of the better Wild prospects and The Athletic has previously described as a future third line defenseman in the NHL.

Minnesota plays at Dallas in the second preseason game on Tuesday night. The regular season begins Oct. 12 when the Wild host the Florida Panthers.

This article first appeared on FanNation Bring Me The Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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