At 6-foot-5, 205 pounds Wil Kushniryk has ample physical stature to make an impact in the Western Hockey League.
Given time and experience, the 麻豆精选 Rockets hope the 17-year-old rookie from Chilliwack will grow into a troublesome power forward for opposing defenders and netminders.
鈥淲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,鈥� said Rockets鈥� assistant coach Travis Crickard. 鈥淲e鈥檙e not discounting his other abilities, he鈥檚 pretty cerebral and he asks good questions.
鈥淏ut he鈥檚 a guy moving forward we鈥檇 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,鈥� Crickard continued. 鈥淵ou should see him become some form of a power forward for us.鈥�
The Rockets鈥� first real exposure to Kushniryk was at the team鈥檚 2015 rookie camp. As a walk-on, he impressed enough at the club鈥檚 ensuing main camp to be listed by the Rockets and has since steadily worked his way up the ladder.
鈥淚 came out to camp and wasn鈥檛 really expecting anything, I was just playing to get the experience,鈥� said Kushniryk, who had two assists in his first eight games with 麻豆精选 this season. 鈥淚 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鈥檇 have a chance to make the team one day and now here I am. It鈥檚 a dream come true to be here.鈥�
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.
鈥淭hings happen fast (in the WHL), I鈥檝e never played at this speed so I鈥檓 trying to learn and adjust to that the best I can. It鈥檚 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.鈥�
鈥溌槎咕♀�檚 a great place to be for me, there鈥檚 no organization I鈥檇 rather be with.鈥�
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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