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| Player Profile – Kent Walchuk As the only player on the Canucks roster from out of the province, most players might have hesitated before jumping in too deep into a new situation. Kent Walchuk is not ‘most players’. “I’m not shy,” he gleefully admits. “I like being in a new environment and meeting new people.” The Saskatchewan-native came into training camp with a smile on his face and ready to work. “I knew they don’t take too many out of town players,” he says citing the Canucks’ philosophy of developing Calgary players first. “So I’m honoured to have a spot and want to take advantage of this opportunity.” His hard-checking play comes with a smile and it can catch opponents off- guard, especially as he stands by the crease waiting for a rebound or over an opponent he just crushed. “I’ll be bringing a quick, physical game,” he said before a game in Lloydminster, only a few hours from his home town of Clavet, SK near Saskatoon. “I beat players with my speed and physical play.” So far, he has delivered exactly as promised with consistent play. It has paid off; he scored his first goal in the AJHL on a breakway in Brooks on October 19th. “It’s been great so far. The team has treated me really well.” He also brings a level head to the game. When he needs to sit out a game for another player to get a game in, he takes it in stride and supports his teammates…and even keeps his smile. Walchuk looks toward the future with that same approach. “I want to try to get a scholarship. I’d like to play college hockey in the US or Canada.” As a proud member of the team, he wants to contribute during the season to make it to the playoffs. “I feel like we have a chance to go far,” he offers as analysis. “We are closer than most teams. The skill is here, we just have to click.” What is clear is that Walchuk will keep offering his part of the puzzle to make the team complete and be smiling the whole time. |
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