Daemon Hunt is taking the first step towards his dream of one day playing for Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championship.

The Moose Jaw Warriors defenceman was one of 66 players named by Hockey Canada to the three national teams that will compete at the 2018 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge next month.

"It’s obviously really exciting for me, it’s a big accomplishment for my individual game, ever since I was a kid I’ve dreamed of this moment and it’s something that I’ll take advantage of and run with it," said Hunt.

Hunt has put together a stellar start to his Western Hockey League career with one goal and five points through the first eight games this season, including a three-point in last Saturday’s win over Spokane.

The 16-year-old said he’s felt his game grow a lot already early in the season and a lot of it stems from his experience at the Under-17 Summer Development Camp with Hockey Canada.

"We did a lot of classroom sessions and a lot on the mental part of the game and that’s something that I’ve taken away from that camp, I think of it every shift and took advantage of it," said Hunt. "Day-by-day, I’m getting stronger, it’s little-by-little but it will come eventually that I’m ready for anything in the WHL."

As Hunt prepares to represent Canada for the first time next month, he will have plenty of guidance from teammates with Josh Brook and Jett Woo both previously playing for Canada at this level, as well as the Under-18s.

Hunt, who is paired with Brook on the Warriors’ back-end, said he tries to take as much as possible from the veterans around him.

"Ever since I was drafted to the Warriors, I’ve looked up to Josh and Jett Woo as well, they’re two guys that I want to play like one day, but they’re role models to me and I want to model my game after them," said Hunt.

The Brandon product also has the benefit of having Canada’s national junior team head coach on the bench with him each night. Hunt said Tim Hunter has also been key for him early in his career with the Warriors.

"He’s always evaluating me as a player and a person, he watches the little things and I take advantage of that as well," said Hunt.

Hunt had the chance to spend plenty of time around last year’s veteran-laden Warriors team, picking up a goal and two points in nine regular season games and also dressing for two playoff games.

He said he was able to learn a lot from that squad about what it takes to compete night-in and night-out in the WHL, "I’ve adapted fairly quickly, the schedule in the Western League is very busy, lots of travel, but I’m getting used to it, it’s something that you have to learn from," said Hunt.

The Warriors defenceman will suit up for Canada from Nov. 3-10 in Saint John and Quispamsis, New Brunswick.

Hunter Named Team WHL Coach

Tim Hunter will be serving as the head coach of Team WHL at the 2018 Canada Russia Series next month, marking the third consecutive year that he will take the role.

Hunter, who will also be Canada’s head coach at this year’s World Junior Hockey Championship, will be joined by Lethbridge Hurricanes head coach Brent Kisio and Kelowna Rockets bench boss Jason Smith.

Hunter has a 2-1-1-0 record in four previous Canada Russia Series games.

Team WHL will take on Team Russia in games on Nov. 5 in Kamloops and on Nov. 6 in Vancouver.