**Blue Jackets Secure Daemon Hunt and Draft Picks from Minnesota Wild**

The Columbus Blue Jackets have made a significant move, acquiring defenseman Daemon Hunt along with four draft picks from the Minnesota Wild. The trade, including a conditional first-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, a third-round pick for 2026 previously obtained from Colorado, a fourth-rounder also for 2026 from Toronto, and a 2027 second-round pick, saw defenseman David Jiricek and Columbus' own fifth-round pick in 2025 go the other way.

Daemon Hunt, aged 22, will join the American Hockey League's Cleveland Monsters. Hunt has previously played 13 NHL games for the Wild, contributing one assist. Following his NHL debut in the 2023-24 season, he managed one assist in 12 games, alongside brief play this season.

Columbus' latest addition, standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 201 pounds, was initially drafted by the Wild with the 65th overall pick in 2020. In the AHL, Hunt played 125 games for the Iowa Wild, scoring six goals and 39 assists. His WHL career with the Moose Jaw Warriors from 2017 to 2022 saw him net 33 goals, 61 assists, and maintain a +3 plus/minus rating over 163 games.

David Jiricek, the sixth overall pick for Columbus in the 2022 NHL Draft, leaves after three seasons with the team. His NHL record includes 11 points across 53 games, including six games in the current season. In the AHL, he accumulated 60 points over 88 games with the Cleveland Monsters.

The Blue Jackets are set to play the Chicago Blackhawks next, with the game scheduled for Sunday at the United Center at 3 p.m. ET. FanDuel Sports Network Ohio along with the FanDuel Sports Network app will broadcast live coverage, starting at 2:30 p.m. ET, and the Blue Jackets Radio Network will also have the game live on 97.1 The Fan in Columbus and online at BlueJackets.com.

Take advantage of the ongoing Black Friday deals, available through Sunday, featuring special offers on tickets and merchandise for Blue Jackets fans.