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