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REGINA — The sky is the limit for Morgan Klimchuk.

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The 15-year-old sniper was regarded as a top WHL prospect before he arrived at Regina Pats training camp but he reached another stratosphere in the rookie scrimmages, scoring a team-high eight goals in just five games.

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"His skill level is above and beyond what I was expecting," offered new GM Chad Lang, who hadn't yet been hired by the Pats when they selected Klimchuk fifth overall in the 2010 bantam draft. "I knew he had the skill-set, but he's an all-around player. He does a lot of good things in the defensive zone and his attention to detail is remarkable. I think he's a real student of the game. He loves the game and it shows in his play. I honestly thought, out of that whole young age group (in camp), he dominated."

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Now comes the hard part.

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Klimchuk was promoted to main camp on Tuesday and he's slated to dress in tonight's annual Blue & White intrasquad game (7 p.m., Co-operators Centre). After that he leaves for tryouts with the midget AAA Calgary Buffaloes but — if the schedules mesh — he could briefly rejoin the Pats for a pre-season game or two.

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"I'm looking forward to seeing how it goes with the vets and see if I can keep it up there," said Klimchuk, who isn't eligible for full-time duty in the WHL until the 2011-2012 season. "You want to come in and do the best you can but don't get ahead of yourself, keep a level head, stay cool and stay modest. So far I've been really happy with what has happened. It was a good learning experience. I got my feet wet and got a feel for what's going on. That's all I really wanted, just get ready for next year."

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In the process, Klimchuk got a taste of playing alongside a projected future linemate, centre Chandler Stephenson, the fifth overall pick in the 2009 bantam draft. The Pats are drooling at the prospect of reuniting them down the road as part of a No. 1 line.

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Klimchuk likes the match, too.

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"So far I've enjoyed that Klimchuk-from-Stephenson announcement," he said with a smile. "At first we were just building that chemistry, but once we got going, he was feeding me and I was feeding him and we got some scoring chances and obviously scored a couple goals. If we build that chemistry now, maybe — if we both make the team — we could play together in the future."

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Klimchuk and Stephenson are providing the Pats with a glimpse of the future — and they like what they see. Klimchuk leads a promising Class of 2010 which also includes defenceman Kyle Burroughs (third round), defenceman Colby Williams (fourth), forward Ty McLean (fifth), forward Brett Harris (fifth), goalie Tanner Burghardt (sixth), defenceman Nolan De Jong (seventh), defenceman Nolan Parrington (eighth), forward Demico Hannoun (ninth) and defenceman Alec McCrea (10th).

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"I'd probably put that '95 (age) group up against any team in the league right now," said Pats assistant coach Shaun Sutter. "That entire draft, our scouting staff did a very good job. That's what we need to build a successful team. You have to build through the draft.

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"When I played junior hockey, nobody wanted to go to a place like Medicine Hat. They finished at the bottom of the league and they started drafting well. Now Medicine Hat is one of the premier franchises. That's what winning does, it changes the culture. That's what we're trying to establish here and Chad is going to do that."

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The Class of 2010 looks like a good place to start.

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"What excites me is they can skate, they have skill and they think the game," added Lang. "I think the future looks bright for this organization. We're going to have to be patient with the process and continue to work with them and continue to push them with their development. But if they continue to progress, it's going to be exciting times for this organization."

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