With 10 points in his last four games, the Kelowna Rockets couldn91裸聊视频檛 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 NHL91裸聊视频檚 Columbus Bluejackets this summer, Thurkauf has emerged this season as one of the WHL91裸聊视频檚 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 league91裸聊视频檚 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.
91裸聊视频淗e91裸聊视频檚 a very strong guy, a strong skater and he competes very hard,91裸聊视频� Mallette said.
91裸聊视频淗e91裸聊视频檚 playing a lot of minutes in all situations and through it all his work ethic has never wavered.
91裸聊视频淗e91裸聊视频檚 very well put together (physically), and he91裸聊视频檚 mature beyond his years.91裸聊视频�
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 they91裸聊视频檙e not overly surprised with his progress, assistant general manager Lorne Frey said Thurkauf has met all the club91裸聊视频檚 expectations91裸聊视频攁nd then some.
91裸聊视频淟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,91裸聊视频� said Frey.
91裸聊视频淗e was likely our best player in the Victoria (playoff) series and this year, he91裸聊视频檚 just taken it to another level.
91裸聊视频淲e thought he was going to have a good year and now he91裸聊视频檚 really taken off,91裸聊视频� added Frey.
91裸聊视频淗e91裸聊视频檚 a good 200-foot player and a good kid. Good for him91裸聊视频nd good for our hockey team.91裸聊视频�
The Bluejackets also have to be smiling, calling Thurkauf91裸聊视频檚 name late in the seventh round of the 2016 NHL entry draft.
If Thurkauf signs with Columbus91裸聊视频攚hich Frey believes is a given91裸聊视频攖hen he will likely play next season in the NHL or with the 91裸聊视频楯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.
91裸聊视频淗e91裸聊视频檚 definitely on (Columbus91裸聊视频檚) radar for the near future, picking him is making them look pretty smart,91裸聊视频� said Kris Mallette.
91裸聊视频淗e was a late seventh-rounder who is playing more like a second or third rounder, and honestly, he91裸聊视频檚 pretty close to being pro ready now.91裸聊视频�
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 Shots91裸聊视频�
The Rockets close out their seven-game pre-Christmas road trip this weekend with three games in Alberta91裸聊视频擣riday in Red Deer, Saturday in Calgary and Sunday in Edmonton91裸聊视频�
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 camps91裸聊视频�
On Tuesday, Nick Merkley was released from the Canadian junior team91裸聊视频檚 camp in Blainville, QC.91裸聊视频�
Kelowna91裸聊视频檚 next home game is Tuesday, Dec. 27 against the Kamloops Blazers.
