With 10 points in his last four games, the Kelowna Rockets couldn香蕉视频直播檛 be blamed for being at least mildly distraught when Calvin Thurkauf left the team on Monday morning.
On the other hand, the Western Hockey League club will have plenty to look forward to when the Swiss-born forward returns in the new year from the world junior hockey championship.
A draft pick of the NHL香蕉视频直播檚 Columbus Bluejackets this summer, Thurkauf has emerged this season as one of the WHL香蕉视频直播檚 most improved and most complete players.
With eight goals and two assists in the last four games, the 19-year-old Thurkauf recently offered up a sample of his full potential and for his efforts was named the league香蕉视频直播檚 player of the week.
In 28 games this season with the Rockets, the 6-foot-2, 203-pound forward has 17 goals and 31 points.
In both physical stature and skill level, Kelowna assistant coach Kris Mallette said Thurkauf is ahead of the curve.
香蕉视频直播淗e香蕉视频直播檚 a very strong guy, a strong skater and he competes very hard,香蕉视频直播� Mallette said.
香蕉视频直播淗e香蕉视频直播檚 playing a lot of minutes in all situations and through it all his work ethic has never wavered.
香蕉视频直播淗e香蕉视频直播檚 very well put together (physically), and he香蕉视频直播檚 mature beyond his years.香蕉视频直播�
After landing Thurkauf in the 59th spot overall in the 2015 CHL import draft, the Rockets have been more than happy with the return on their investment
And while they香蕉视频直播檙e not overly surprised with his progress, assistant general manager Lorne Frey said Thurkauf has met all the club香蕉视频直播檚 expectations香蕉视频直播攁nd then some.
香蕉视频直播淟ast year, it took him some time to get accustomed to the travel and the schedule here, but once he got settled he just got better,香蕉视频直播� said Frey.
香蕉视频直播淗e was likely our best player in the Victoria (playoff) series and this year, he香蕉视频直播檚 just taken it to another level.
香蕉视频直播淲e thought he was going to have a good year and now he香蕉视频直播檚 really taken off,香蕉视频直播� added Frey.
香蕉视频直播淗e香蕉视频直播檚 a good 200-foot player and a good kid. Good for him香蕉视频直播nd good for our hockey team.香蕉视频直播�
The Bluejackets also have to be smiling, calling Thurkauf香蕉视频直播檚 name late in the seventh round of the 2016 NHL entry draft.
If Thurkauf signs with Columbus香蕉视频直播攚hich Frey believes is a given香蕉视频直播攖hen he will likely play next season in the NHL or with the 香蕉视频直播楯ackets AHL affiliate.
Failing that, he could turn pro with his hometown team of Zug, Switzerland in the Swiss Elite league.
Either way, this will almost certainly be his last season with the Rockets.
香蕉视频直播淗e香蕉视频直播檚 definitely on (Columbus香蕉视频直播檚) radar for the near future, picking him is making them look pretty smart,香蕉视频直播� said Kris Mallette.
香蕉视频直播淗e was a late seventh-rounder who is playing more like a second or third rounder, and honestly, he香蕉视频直播檚 pretty close to being pro ready now.香蕉视频直播�
Thurkauf (Switzerland) and fellow Euro Tomas Soustal (Czech Republic) both left Monday to join their respective national teams in preparation for the world junior championship in Toronto and Montreal.
Rocket Shots香蕉视频直播�
The Rockets close out their seven-game pre-Christmas road trip this weekend with three games in Alberta香蕉视频直播擣riday in Red Deer, Saturday in Calgary and Sunday in Edmonton香蕉视频直播�
Forward prospects Erik Gardiner, Liam Kindree and Ted Brennan have all joined the club on the road trip to fill roster spots left by players currently attending world junior camps香蕉视频直播�
On Tuesday, Nick Merkley was released from the Canadian junior team香蕉视频直播檚 camp in Blainville, QC.香蕉视频直播�
Kelowna香蕉视频直播檚 next home game is Tuesday, Dec. 27 against the Kamloops Blazers.
