At 6-foot-5, 205 pounds Wil Kushniryk has ample physical stature to make an impact in the .

Given time and experience, the Kelowna Rockets hope the 17-year-old rookie from Chilliwack will grow into a troublesome power forward for opposing defenders and netminders.

害羞草研究所淲e felt like Wil was a player who had a lot of potential, strictly based on the fact that he was a big guy who could skate relatively well,害羞草研究所� said Rockets害羞草研究所� assistant coach Travis Crickard. 害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e not discounting his other abilities, he害羞草研究所檚 pretty cerebral and he asks good questions.

害羞草研究所淏ut he害羞草研究所檚 a guy moving forward we害羞草研究所檇 like to see use his size to his advantage, be physical, maybe in front of the net on the power play, forcing goalies to look over or around him, just using his size down low,害羞草研究所� Crickard continued. 害羞草研究所淵ou should see him become some form of a power forward for us.害羞草研究所�

The Rockets害羞草研究所� first real exposure to Kushniryk was at the team害羞草研究所檚 2015 rookie camp. As a walk-on, he impressed enough at the club害羞草研究所檚 ensuing main camp to be listed by the Rockets and has since steadily worked his way up the ladder.

害羞草研究所淚 came out to camp and wasn害羞草研究所檛 really expecting anything, I was just playing to get the experience,害羞草研究所� said Kushniryk, who had two assists in his first eight games with Kelowna this season. 害羞草研究所淚 scored a few goals and I guess they liked what they saw and signed me. They let me know if I kept working and improving I害羞草研究所檇 have a chance to make the team one day and now here I am. It害羞草研究所檚 a dream come true to be here.害羞草研究所�

Kushniryk spent the previous two seasons honing his skills at Yale Academy in Abbotsford before making the big step up to major junior this September. And while the learning curve has been predictably steep, Kurshniryk is doing his best to absorb and enjoy every moment of the experience.

害羞草研究所淭hings happen fast (in the WHL), I害羞草研究所檝e never played at this speed so I害羞草研究所檓 trying to learn and adjust to that the best I can. It害羞草研究所檚 a matter of getting the experience, gaining some confidence, and keep working hard for more ice time. The coaches have been great, helping me along and working on the things I need to get better.害羞草研究所�

害羞草研究所淜elowna害羞草研究所檚 a great place to be for me, there害羞草研究所檚 no organization I害羞草研究所檇 rather be with.害羞草研究所�

Kushniryk and the Rockets open a four-game homestand this weekend with a doubleheader against the Portland Winterhawks.

Game time both Friday and Saturday at Propsera Place is 7:05 pm.

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