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