Hunter Brothers Look To WJC Fame

There is a good chance when people turn on the World Junior Hockey Championships this holiday season, they could hear the song ‘Born and Raised’ by Shaunavon’s The Hunter Brothers. It is one of four songs selected by Hockey Canada to be the anthem for the tournament, which will be played at the end of the month in Vancouver and Victoria.

Given the adventures the five brothers have had on the ice, it is a great way for the two parts of their lives to come together.

“Hockey was a huge part of life for a lot of years, playing minor hockey, rep hockey, summer hockey, then junior, and eventually pro for three of us,” explained J.J. Hunter. “It was a huge part of life and a sport that we absolutely love to this day.”

Growing up, they would look forward to the annual tournament, which is a marquee event in Canada each year.

“It’s just something that we as Canadians hold very dear and are very proud of, so it’s always been a huge part of us; then you tie that personal connection into it with the players, the friends, the teammates and then the competitors that played in the tournament, it makes it all that more special,” Hunter added.

For the brothers, they all reached different levels of hockey. Ty played rep hockey, while his four brothers played junior hockey, and three professionally.

Hockey was an important part of the lives of the Hunter Brothers as they grew up, with three playing professionally (photo submitted).J.J. played three seasons in the WHL with the Kelowna Rockets and Prince Albert Raiders. He then spent five years in the Edmonton Oilers farm system.

Dustin laced up with the Melville Millionaires, then played for the Oklahoma City Blazers and San Angelo Saints in the CHL. His career was cut short due to an eye injury.

Luke spent five years with the Swift Current Broncos of the WHL, and then played a season in the CHL with the Wichita Thunder. He also spent a year with the University of Calgary’s hockey team.

Brock played in the AJHL with Drumheller and Fort McMurray before finishing his career off with the Kindersley Klippers.

J.J. says they have a chance for their two careers to come together.

“Now that we’re doing music, and to have our song selected as a possible anthem for Team Canada, it really has been a full circle, surreal moment that means a tremendous amount to us.”