Playing career

Originally drafted in the sixth round (150th overall) of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Hunter was traded to the New York Islanders for a fourth round draft pick in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. He set franchise records for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League in all three scoring categories (30-35-65). He made his NHL debut in the 2002 Playoffs, registering 1 goal and 1 assist in 4 games.

Hunter broke into the NHL full-time with the Islanders in 2003-2004 and was tied for first on the team in goals (25, with Mariusz Czerkawski) and tied for total points (51, with Oleg Kvasha). He finished third in voting for the Calder Trophy in 2004, losing to Andrew Raycroft of the Boston Bruins.

During the 2004-05 lockout season, Hunter played in Nyköping in Swedish Allsvenskan, becoming an instant hit with the club's fans for his NHL skills and aggressive play. The most influential player in the squad, Hunter came close to leading the unfancied club to promotion, leading the side to a sensational 5-4 victory against multiple Swedish champions Brynäs away from home in the playoffs. In the end, a defeat in the return leg ended Nyköping's hopes.

Hunter then become an important player for the Islanders. He was consistently among the league leaders in hits and was one of the Islanders best penalty killers.

On July 28, 2011, Hunter was traded to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for winger Brian Rolston. Traded to the Devils for salary cap purposes, on August 1, 2011, Hunter was placed on waivers by the Devils along with Colin White. He was then bought out from the final two years of his contract on August 2 after clearing.

On September 14, 2011 it was announced that Hunter would sign a professional tryout contract with the Los Angeles Kings to attend the pre-season camp for the 2011-12 campaign. He was then signed to a one-year contract with the Kings on September 30, 2011. After producing only 7 points in 38 games with the Kings, he was cleared from waivers and reassigned to AHL affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs for the remainder of the season.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1996-97	Red Deer	AMHL		42	30	25	55	50		—	—	—	—	—
1997-98	Prince George Cougars	WHL		60	13	14	27	34		8	1	0	1	4
1998-99	Prince George Cougars	WHL		50	18	20	38	34		7	2	5	7	2
1999-00	Prince George Cougars	WHL		67	46	49	95	47		13	7	15	22	6
2000-01	Springfield Falcons	AHL		57	18	17	35	14		—	—	—	—	—
2001-02	Bridgeport Sound Tigers	AHL		80	30	35	65	30		17	8	11	19	6
2001-02	New York Islanders	NHL		—	—	—	—	—		4	1	1	2	2
2002-03	Bridgeport Sound Tigers	AHL		70	30	41	71	39		9	7	4	11	10
2002-03	New York Islanders	NHL		8	0	4	4	4		—	—	—	—	—
2003-04	New York Islanders	NHL		77	25	26	51	16		4	0	0	0	4
2004-05	Nykopings Hockey	Swe.1		33	13	12	25	73		4	5	3	8	2
2005-06	New York Islanders	NHL		82	16	19	35	34		—	—	—	—	—
2006-07	New York Islanders	NHL		77	20	15	35	22		5	3	0	3	0
2007-08	New York Islanders	NHL		82	12	29	41	43		—	—	—	—	—
2008-09	New York Islanders	NHL		55	14	17	31	41		—	—	—	—	—
2009-10	New York Islanders	NHL		61	11	17	28	18		—	—	—	—	—
2010-11	New York Islanders	NHL		17	1	3	4	23		—	—	—	—	—
2011-12	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		38	2	5	7	8		—	—	—	—	—
2011-12	Manchester Monarchs	AHL		20	4	6	10	8		4	0	1	1	0
2012-13	Bentley Generals	ChHL		—	—	—	—	—		2	2	0	2	4
NHL totals				497	101	135	236	209		14	4	1	5	6

[ Source: Wikipedia ]