SHINKARUK SHOOTING TO MAKE CANADIAN JUNIORS
Hunter Shinkaruk was understandably disappointed when he was told his NHL career wouldn’t begin for at least another year.
But shortly after being returned to junior by the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks, Shinkaruk set his sights on Team Canada.
“That was the first thing I thought about when they told me I was going to get sent down,” Shinkaruk said of cracking Canada’s world junior roster.
“Obviously, it’s my last chance to make that team, and it’s something I’ve dreamt about from a young age. Being so close last year, it made me come in this year and want it that much more.
“So it’s my job to put together a good run and show (Team Canada head coach) Brent (Sutter) and the coaching staff that I can be a key contributor on that team.”
Shinkaruk, the Canucks first-round pick in June’s NHL Draft, made the most of his time with the big club.
The Calgary product scored a highlight-reel, top-shelf beauty against the San Jose Sharks.
“I was playing with (Ryan) Kessler and (Alex) Burrows, so I was just trying to pass them the puck the whole time,” Shinkaruk said of his goal from a near-impossible angle.
“But they weren’t on the ice with me, so I thought I’d shoot it, and luckily, I found a spot.
“It was a pretty special goal.”
Shinkaruk finished the pre-season with a pair of markers and an assist and impressed Canucks head coach John Tortorella with his play.
“Going into the camp, I wanted to make sure I played well and let them know that pick was a good pick,” Shinkaruk said. “I thought I played well and played my game, and I tried to reward (the Canucks).”
The 5-foot-11, 179-pounder says it took him a few games to settle back into his role with the Medicine Hat Tigers.
“Up in Van, everything happened a little bit faster,” said the 19-year-old Calgarian. “You’re playing at a level you’ve never played at before, and you’re really motivated.
“Coming back here, it took me awhile to get really excited for the games. I’ve only played nine games with our team this year, so I haven’t been on the ice with our team.”
Shinkaruk returned on the weekend after missing a couple of weeks with a bad hip.
He’s got five goals and 11 points in nine games with the red-hot Tigers, who lead the WHL’s Eastern Conference at 13-3-3.
The Tigers captain says he didn’t expect his team to be leading the way in the east.
“I didn’t think we were going to be this good,” Shinkaruk said. “It’s always tough coming into a year to figure out how good we’re going to be. Our young guys have a little bit more experience, and we’re playing with a lot of confidence.
“We have a bit of swagger on the ice — and that’s what you need to be successful.
“I couldn’t picture our team having a better start.”
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