The Minnesota Wild have inked another prospect, signing Hunter Haight to a three-year, entry-level contract that starts in the 2023-24 season. Haight plays for the Saginaw Spirit of the OHL, where he will remain through the end of the season.
Unlike many of the prospects signed over the last few days, Haight isn’t your mid-round overage draft pick. The 18-year-old forward has been a top prospect in Ontario for years and was selected 47th overall last summer after a solid rookie campaign with the Barrie Colts.
This season, after a slow start with Barrie, a trade brought him to the Spirit where his game has flourished. Through 33 games with Saginaw, the brilliant stick handler has 36 points, and still has plenty of time to round out the rest of his game.
Despite the contract “starting” next season, Haight will almost certainly be returned to junior in 2023-24, meaning it will slide forward another year. While he has shown well at Minnesota development camp, it is extremely unlikely that he makes the jump right to the NHL.
Since he’ll still be only 19, he isn’t eligible for AHL play, meaning it’s back to the OHL where he’ll try to make Canada’s World Junior team and continue his upward trajectory.