With 10 points in his last four games, the Kelowna Rockets couldn乌鸦传媒檛 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乌鸦传媒檚 Columbus Bluejackets this summer, Thurkauf has emerged this season as one of the WHL乌鸦传媒檚 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乌鸦传媒檚 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.
乌鸦传媒淗e乌鸦传媒檚 a very strong guy, a strong skater and he competes very hard,乌鸦传媒� Mallette said.
乌鸦传媒淗e乌鸦传媒檚 playing a lot of minutes in all situations and through it all his work ethic has never wavered.
乌鸦传媒淗e乌鸦传媒檚 very well put together (physically), and he乌鸦传媒檚 mature beyond his years.乌鸦传媒�
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乌鸦传媒檙e not overly surprised with his progress, assistant general manager Lorne Frey said Thurkauf has met all the club乌鸦传媒檚 expectations乌鸦传媒攁nd then some.
乌鸦传媒淟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,乌鸦传媒� said Frey.
乌鸦传媒淗e was likely our best player in the Victoria (playoff) series and this year, he乌鸦传媒檚 just taken it to another level.
乌鸦传媒淲e thought he was going to have a good year and now he乌鸦传媒檚 really taken off,乌鸦传媒� added Frey.
乌鸦传媒淗e乌鸦传媒檚 a good 200-foot player and a good kid. Good for him乌鸦传媒nd good for our hockey team.乌鸦传媒�
The Bluejackets also have to be smiling, calling Thurkauf乌鸦传媒檚 name late in the seventh round of the 2016 NHL entry draft.
If Thurkauf signs with Columbus乌鸦传媒攚hich Frey believes is a given乌鸦传媒攖hen he will likely play next season in the NHL or with the 乌鸦传媒楯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.
乌鸦传媒淗e乌鸦传媒檚 definitely on (Columbus乌鸦传媒檚) radar for the near future, picking him is making them look pretty smart,乌鸦传媒� said Kris Mallette.
乌鸦传媒淗e was a late seventh-rounder who is playing more like a second or third rounder, and honestly, he乌鸦传媒檚 pretty close to being pro ready now.乌鸦传媒�
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乌鸦传媒�
The Rockets close out their seven-game pre-Christmas road trip this weekend with three games in Alberta乌鸦传媒擣riday in Red Deer, Saturday in Calgary and Sunday in Edmonton乌鸦传媒�
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乌鸦传媒�
On Tuesday, Nick Merkley was released from the Canadian junior team乌鸦传媒檚 camp in Blainville, QC.乌鸦传媒�
Kelowna乌鸦传媒檚 next home game is Tuesday, Dec. 27 against the Kamloops Blazers.
