After a promising 2013 Canucks training camp and preseason, Hunter Shinkaruk (twitter: @H_S_9)looked to be a lock for opening night with the Canucks. What most of us in British Columbia were unaware of was that he was battling a hip injury that would eventually be repaired last January. Now healthy, “Shinkalicious” (that’s what my nickname for him is, hopefully it catches on) hopes to show the Canucks coaching staff, teammates and fans that he is for real. Hunter Shinkaruk is ready to shine.
Drafted 24th overall last season by Vancouver, Shinkalicious….ok it probably won’t catch on, Shinkaruk was viewed as a talented scoring winger that could hopefully develop into the type of player the Canucks have truly lacked since well, Pavel Bure.
On skates, Hunter is a beast; he moves well, has his head on a swivel and isn’t afraid to throw down for a teammate. Watching this kid score makes you want to start hockey season tomorrow.
Hunter made waves during his first NHL preseason with a few beauty goals that will no doubt be a sign of things to come from him for many years. He gets the pro game and its only a matter of time before he is giving sun burns to goalies all around the NHL. Here’s his goal against the Sharks:
With future linemate Bo Horvat, Shinkaruk could possibly grow to develop into the next Patrick Kane alongside his Jonathan Toews. They both love to score and thrive on the expectation to be great. No doubt Hunter will not disappoint once the doors open to his second training camp. The sky’s the limit for Hunter Shinkaruk and if he gets his way, it might not be high enough.
Follow me on twitter @hankthetank10 and @always90four
