Blue Jackets prospect Calvin Thurkauf has been named Captain of Team Switzerland for the World Juniors.
Captain @calfred97 (Mitte) führt die U20 an unterstützt von seinen Assistants @josieg97 (links) und Damien Riat (rechts). pic.twitter.com/ychVAg5t9W
— Swiss Ice Hockey (@SwissIceHockey) December 20, 2016
Thurkauf was the Blue Jackets seventh round pick this past draft. He is in his second season with the Kelowna Rockets and has been much improved. Last season he had 45 points in 61 games and this season he already has 31 in just 28 games.
Switzerland looks to have a strong team this time around and could be the surprise team of the tournament. They plenty of talent lead by likely top 5 pick Nico Hischier. Thurkauf will be a key player for the Swiss because of his versatility. He is someone who can play both centre and wing. He also has enough of a skillset that he could ride shotgun on a skilled line with player like Hischier or be a catalyst on a physical line lower in the line-up.
I wrote about Thurkauf after the draft and I was intrigued by the selection. He had to deal with plenty of adjustments last season which impacted his game. He was also playing in a depth role on a deep Rockets team. I suggested that if Thurkauf was able to get a top six spot this season and further improve his overall game, he would be a prospect who would climb in the Blue Jackets ranks. Thus far he has done just that.
Thurkauf is fresh off of being named WHL player of the week ending on December 11th. He had eight goals and two assists in four games. His 31 points are tied for second on the Rockets. He has a large frame, listed at 6’2, 203lbs, which helps him get to good scoring areas.
@CBJProspects Rockets coaches believe he is most pro ready. Man body playing junior. Powerful player.
— Regan Bartel (@Reganrant) December 12, 2016
Thurkauf is getting closer to pro ready but he still has a ways to go. It takes players like this longer to adjust, because once you turn pro everyone is as big and as strong as you are. You lose that physical advantage you had in junior. Take Josh Anderson as an example. He like Thurkauf were big strong players in junior. Anderson didn’t score much early in his junior career has he was a depth player on some deep London Knights teams that were going to the Memorial Cup. He got a top six role as a 19 year old and his offensive game picked up, hovering around a point per game. Once he turned pro it took him two full AHL seasons before he earned a full-time spot in the NHL.
Thurkauf as things stand right now looks to be on that same path. He should turn pro after this season, and will likely take at least two full seasons before he is ready for the NHL. If he ends up as another Josh Anderson, the Blue Jackets should be thrilled.
Thurkauf and Team Switzerland begin their World Juniors on December 27th when the take on the Czech Republic.
You can follow me on Twitter @PaulBerthelot