Hunter Shinkaruk

Last updated

Hunter Shinkaruk
Hunter Shinkaruk (27551606713).jpg
Shinkaruk in 2016
Born (1994-10-13) October 13, 1994 (age 29)
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 186 lb (84 kg; 13 st 4 lb)
Position Winger
Shoots Left
team
Former teams
Free Agent
Vancouver Canucks
Calgary Flames
Kunlun Red Star
Dinamo Riga
HV71
Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk
Iserlohn Roosters
NHL draft 24th overall, 2013
Vancouver Canucks
Playing career 2014present

Hunter Shinkaruk (born October 13, 1994) is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He most recently played for Iserlohn Roosters in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). Shinkaruk was originally selected by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1st round (24th overall) of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

Contents

Shinkaruk played junior hockey with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League (WHL) before turning pro with the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League (AHL) within the Vancouver Canucks organization.

Playing career

Minor

Born in Calgary, Alberta, Shinkaruk played minor hockey for the Calgary Royals. After scoring 32 goals and 63 points over 27 games in his second year of major bantam, Shinkaruk was selected 14th overall by the Medicine Hat Tigers in the 2009 Western Hockey League (WHL) Bantam Draft. Advancing to the midget level the following season, Shinkaruk broke the tibia and fibula in his right leg, [1] causing him to miss the entire 2009–10 campaign except for three games.

Junior

Following his rehabilitation, Shinkaruk joined the Tigers for his first junior season. He scored his first WHL goal in his fifth game, a 6–4 win against the Edmonton Oil Kings on October 16, 2010. [2] Scoring 42 points (14 goals and 28 assists) over 63 games in 2010–11, he ranked 10th among league rookies. [3] He added 9 points in 14 games as Medicine Hat advanced to the WHL semifinals.

In his second WHL season, Shinkaruk improved to a career-high 49 goals and 91 points in 66 games, ranking 12th in league scoring. [4] Playing in 8 post-season games, he recorded 2 goals and 11 points. The following season, Shinkaruk was named team captain for the Tigers and went on to record 37 goals and 86 points in 64 games, ranking 14th among WHL scorers. [5]

Playing in his draft-eligible year, Shinkaruk was ranked the sixth-best prospect among skaters playing in North America. [6] He was selected 24th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. Following his draft, Shinkaruk attended his first NHL training camp with the Canucks and was among the team's final cuts. Despite being on the roster after the team's final preseason game, the subsequent acquisitions of Jeremy Welsh and Zac Dalpe resulted in him being returned to junior.

Early in the 2013–14 season, Shinkaruk sustained a torn labrum in his hip, [7] but played through it in hopes of competing in the 2014 World Junior Championships. After being cut from Team Canada's selection camp, Shinkaruk underwent hip surgery on January 7, 2014, ending his season. [8] He had recorded 16 points in 18 games. In July 2014, news was revealed that Shinkaruk's hip was injured for much of his junior career and that he had simply delayed the healing process until his surgery in early 2014. [9]

During his rehabilitation period, Shinkaruk made a conscious decision to address his strength concerns, appearing at the Canucks' 2014 training camp with much greater physical strength after reportedly gaining 15 lbs during that off-season. [10] [11]

Professional

Shinkaruk with the Utica Comets in 2015 Hunter Shinkaruk 2015-3-14.jpg
Shinkaruk with the Utica Comets in 2015

Shinkaruk made his on-ice return at the Canucks' Young Stars Tournament in September 2014 and was later assigned to the Canucks' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Utica Comets for the 2014–15 season. After a slow start, in which he scored six goals in his first 42 games, Shinkaruk finished his rookie season with nine goals in the last 16 games of the regular season. He then added four goals in 23 playoff games, as the Comets lost in the Calder Cup Finals. [12]

After an impressive first 12 games in Utica in the 2015–16 season; which included 10 goals and two hat tricks, Shinkaruk was called up by the Canucks. [13] He made his NHL debut on November 16, 2015 in a 4–3 overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens. [14] He was returned to the Comets the following day. Shinkaruk was leading the Comets offensively with 39 points in 45 games when he was traded by the Canucks to the Calgary Flames in exchange for Markus Granlund on February 22, 2016. He was immediately assigned to the Flames AHL affiliate, the Stockton Heat. [15]

Shinkaruk made his debut with the Flames on March 28, 2016, against the Arizona Coyotes, in which he got his first NHL point. [16] He scored his first NHL goal as a Calgary Flame against the Anaheim Ducks in a 5–4 loss on March 30, 2016. [17]

On August 20, 2018, Shinkaruk was traded to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Kerby Rychel. [18] As a restricted free agent, Shinkaruk immediately signed a one-year, two-way contract worth $650,000 at the NHL level. [19] In the 2018–19 season, Shinkaruk was assigned by the Canadiens to the Laval Rocket for the year, posting just 5 goals and 10 points in 54 games.

As an impending restricted free agent, Shinkaruk was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Canadiens, releasing him as a free agent on June 25, 2019. Unable to attract an NHL contract, Shinkaruk agreed to a one-year AHL contract with reigning Calder Cup champions, the Charlotte Checkers, on July 18, 2019. [20] In the 2019–20 season, Shinkaruk was slow to produce with the Checkers, collecting 7 points through 20 games, before opting to end his contract in the AHL to sign his first contract abroad with Chinese club, HC Kunlun Red Star of the KHL on December 23, 2019. [21]

Shinkaruk in 2023 playing for Iserlohn Roosters 2023-11-26 Eisbaren Berlin gegen Iserlohn Roosters (Deutsche Eishockey-Liga 2023-24) by Sandro Halank-038.jpg
Shinkaruk in 2023 playing for Iserlohn Roosters

Shinkaruk played two seasons with Kunlun before leaving to sign as a free agent with Latvian-based KHL club, Dinamo Riga, on June 2, 2021. [22]

International play

He played at the 2010 World U-17 Hockey Challenge and was rewarded for his stand-out performance by being named to the WHC's All-Tournament team. [23]

Shinkaruk competed at the 2012 IIHF World U18 Championships where he won a Bronze Medal with Team Canada, scoring the winning goal in the overtime of the bronze medal game. [24]

In December 2012, Shinkaruk received an invite to Team Canada's national junior selection camp for the 2013 World Junior Championships, but did not make the final roster. [1] The next year, he received another invite. Playing with an injured hip, he was the team's final cut before the 2014 World Juniors. [25]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

   Regular season   Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2010–11 Medicine Hat Tigers WHL 6314284224144590
2011–12 Medicine Hat TigersWHL6649429138829116
2012–13 Medicine Hat TigersWHL643749864483368
2013–14 Medicine Hat TigersWHL185111629
2014–15 Utica Comets AHL 7416153128234264
2015–16 Utica CometsAHL4521183918
2015–16 Vancouver Canucks NHL 10000
2015–16 Stockton Heat AHL1766122
2015–16 Calgary Flames NHL72132
2016–17 Stockton HeatAHL521520352052134
2016–17 Calgary FlamesNHL70112
2017–18 Stockton HeatAHL6317153230
2018–19 Laval Rocket AHL54551020
2019–20 Charlotte Checkers AHL204374
2019–20 Kunlun Red Star KHL 1936916
2020–21 Kunlun Red StarKHL4712183010
2021–22 Dinamo Riga KHL39581314
2021–22 HV71 Allsv 803301538116
2022–23 Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk KHL192354
2023–24 Iserlohn Roosters DEL 28591412
NHL totals152244
KHL totals12422355744

International

YearTeamEventResult GPGAPtsPIM
2010 Canada Pacific U17 Bronze medal icon.svg65492
2011 Canada IH18 Gold medal icon.svg51124
2012 Canada WJC18 Bronze medal icon.svg64486
Junior totals171091912

Awards and honours

HonoursYear
World U-17 Hockey Challenge Bronze Medal 2010 [26]
World U-17 Hockey Challenge All-Star Team 2010 [23]
IIHF World U18 Championship Bronze Medal 2012 [27]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nolan Baumgartner</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1976)

Nolan Baumgartner is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. He was formerly an assistant coach with the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Baumgartner was selected by the Washington Capitals in the 1st round of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft. He played parts of ten seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for six different teams between 1995 and 2010. Baumgartner played only one full season in the NHL, 2005–06 with the Vancouver Canucks, and spent most of his playing career in the AHL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Valeri Bure</span> Russian ice hockey player (born 1974)

Valeri Vladimirovich "Val" Bure is a Russian-American former ice hockey right winger. He played ten seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Montreal Canadiens, Calgary Flames, Florida Panthers, St. Louis Blues, and Dallas Stars from 1995 to 2004. A second round selection of the Canadiens, 33rd overall, at the 1992 NHL Entry Draft, Bure appeared in one NHL All-Star Game, in 2000. He led the Flames in scoring with 35 goals and 75 points in 1999–2000, a season in which he and brother Pavel combined to set an NHL record for goals by a pair of siblings with 93.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Higgins (ice hockey)</span> American ice hockey player (born 1983)

Christopher Robert Higgins is an American former professional ice hockey winger and current Skills and Development coach for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL). While playing college hockey, he was selected 14th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. He finished a two-year career with the Yale Bulldogs, earning ECAC Hockey Player of the Year honors as a sophomore, before turning professional for the 2003–04 season. After two seasons with the Canadiens' minor league affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs of the American Hockey League (AHL), he joined the NHL in 2005–06. He recorded three consecutive 20-goal seasons to begin his NHL career before being traded to the New York Rangers in June 2009. After brief stints with the Rangers, Calgary Flames and Florida Panthers, he joined the Vancouver Canucks in February 2011. Internationally, Higgins has competed for the United States in two World Junior Championships and one World Championship (2009).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dana Murzyn</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1966)

Dana Trevor Murzyn is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. Drafted out of the Western Hockey League (WHL), he was selected fifth overall by the Hartford Whalers in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft. He began his NHL career in 1985–86 with the Whalers and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team. After being traded to the Calgary Flames in 1988, he won the Stanley Cup with the club in 1989. He was traded a second time in 1991 to the Vancouver Canucks, where he spent the majority of his career. Murzyn retired following the 1998–99 season after fourteen years in the NHL.

The Sutter family, originally from Viking, Alberta, Canada, are one of the most famous families in the National Hockey League (NHL). Six brothers: Brent, Brian, Darryl, Duane, Rich and Ron, reached the NHL in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Four brothers, Brian, Duane, Darryl and Brent, have gone on to become coaches and general managers as well, with Brian, Darryl, and Brent each having a stint as head coach of the Calgary Flames. All brothers played for either the Chicago Blackhawks or the St. Louis Blues at one point or another. A seventh brother named Gary is said by his brothers to have been the best hockey player of all seven boys. Rather than making his living as a hockey player, Gary stayed home to work on the family farm, as Rich remarked on an episode of the Canadian sports show Off the Record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason LaBarbera</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1980)

Antonio Jason LaBarbera is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who played parts of 11 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blair Jones</span> Canadian ice hockey player

Blair Jones is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He was a selection of the Tampa Bay Lightning, taken 102nd overall at the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, and played five seasons within the Lightning organization before joining the Calgary Flames in 2012. Jones was born in Central Butte, Saskatchewan, but grew up in Craik, Saskatchewan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Connauton</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1990)

Kevin Connauton is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Ontario Reign of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 83rd overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Connauton has also played for the Dallas Stars, Columbus Blue Jackets, Arizona Coyotes, Colorado Avalanche, Florida Panthers, and Philadelphia Flyers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dale Weise</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1988)

Dale Kenton Weise is a Canadian former professional ice hockey right winger. He played for the New York Rangers, Vancouver Canucks, Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks, and Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected 111th overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft by the New York Rangers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adam Cracknell</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1985)

Adam Cracknell is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger and alternate captain for the Henderson Silver Knights of the American Hockey League (AHL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Micheal Ferland</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1992)

Micheal Ferland is a Canadian former professional ice hockey winger. Ferland has previously played for the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, and Carolina Hurricanes. Ferland was drafted by the Flames in the fifth round, 133rd overall, at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Markus Granlund</span> Finnish ice hockey player (born 1993)

Kari Markus Granlund is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward who is currently playing with Genève-Servette HC of the National League (NL). After the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, he elected to leave the KHL team Salavat Yulaev Ufa. He is a second-round selection of the Calgary Flames, taken 45th overall at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Granlund played two seasons in the SM-liiga for HIFK before moving to North America to join the Flames organization in 2013. His older brother Mikael plays in the NHL for the San Jose Sharks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sven Bärtschi</span> Swiss ice hockey player (born 1992)

Sven Bärtschi is a Swiss former professional ice hockey forward. He played his first professional games in 2009 for SC Langenthal in the National League B before moving to North America to join Portland in the Western Hockey League (WHL), where he finished as the runner-up for the league's Rookie of the Year award. He was selected by the Calgary Flames in the first round, 13th overall, at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft and made his NHL debut in 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Max Reinhart</span> Canadian ice hockey player

Maxwell Reinhart is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played in the NHL for the Calgary Flames.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carter Bancks</span> Canadian professional ice hockey player

Carter Bancks is a former Canadian former professional ice hockey player. An undrafted player, Bancks played four seasons of junior in the Western Hockey League (WHL) and four more in the American Hockey League (AHL) before making his NHL debut in 2013 with the Calgary Flames. He later played the majority of his professional career with and served as captain of the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League (AHL). Bancks was born in Calgary, Alberta, but grew up in Kimberley, British Columbia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kerby Rychel</span> American-Canadian ice hockey player

Kerby Rychel is an American-born Canadian former professional ice hockey forward. He most recently played under contract with the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League (AHL). He was selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first round of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. He was born in Torrance, California, but grew up in Tecumseh, Ontario. His father is 1996 Stanley Cup winner Warren Rychel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Curtis Lazar</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1995)

Curtis Lazar is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Ottawa Senators in the first round of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darren Archibald</span> Canadian professional ice hockey player

Darren Archibald is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently playing for the Grizzlys Wolfsburg in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). He played major junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) for the Barrie Colts and Niagara IceDogs. Undrafted out of junior, he signed with the Vancouver Canucks as a free agent and played at multiple levels within the organization.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jake Virtanen</span> Canadian ice hockey player

Jacob Virtanen is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently with the Fischtown Pinguins of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). Virtanen was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks sixth overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyler Wotherspoon</span> Canadian ice hockey player

Tyler Wotherspoon is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Calgary Flames in the second round, 57th overall, at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Wotherspoon played four seasons of junior hockey for the Western Hockey League (WHL)'s Portland Winterhawks and was a member of the team's Western Hockey League championship team before turning professional in 2013.

References

  1. 1 2 Esplen, Ian (June 14, 2013). "18-year-old Medicine Hat Tigers' left winger hopes dedication and hard work will pay off". Calgary Journal. Retrieved April 26, 2014.
  2. "Hunter Shinkaruk (LW) – 2010–11". Western Hockey League. Archived from the original on April 27, 2014. Retrieved April 27, 2014.
  3. "2010–11 Regular Season – Rookies". Western Hockey League. Archived from the original on April 27, 2014. Retrieved April 26, 2014.
  4. "2011–12 Regular Season – Top Scorers". Western Hockey League. Archived from the original on April 27, 2014. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  5. "2012–13 Regular Season – Top Scorers". Western Hockey League. Archived from the original on December 21, 2013. Retrieved April 26, 2014.
  6. "Seth Jones tops Central Scouting final 2013 draft rankings". National Hockey League. April 24, 2013. Retrieved April 27, 2014.
  7. "Canucks' first-round draft pick Hunter Shinkaruk to undergo hip surgery". The Globe and Mail. Canadian Press. December 27, 2013. Retrieved April 27, 2014.
  8. Pap, Elliott (March 20, 2014). "Canucks prospect Hunter Shinkaruk hip to team's future while recovering from surgery". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved April 27, 2014.
  9. Botchford, Jason (July 13, 2014). "Botchford: Finally on ice again after hip surgery, Canucks prospect Hunter Shinkaruk can't stop smiling". The Province. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved September 12, 2014.
  10. Tucker, Cam (September 12, 2014). "Canucks news and notes: Hunter Shinkaruk has high expectations at Young Stars Tournament". MetroNews. Retrieved September 12, 2014.
  11. Jamieson, Jim (September 12, 2014). "Five things we've learned from the Canucks prospects' 4–3 OT loss to the Oilers". The Province. Archived from the original on September 13, 2014. Retrieved September 13, 2014.
  12. Vickers, Aaron (September 14, 2015). "Canucks' Shinkaruk ready to handle high expectations". National Hockey League. Retrieved November 14, 2015.
  13. "Vancouver recalls Hunter Shinkaruk". Vancouver Canucks . November 14, 2015. Retrieved November 14, 2015.
  14. "Canucks fall to Canadiens in overtime". Vancouver Canucks . November 16, 2015. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  15. "Calgary Flames acquire Hunter Shinkaruk". Calgary Flames . February 22, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  16. "Flames down Coyotes in Arizona". Calgary Flames . March 28, 2016. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
  17. Gilbertson, Wes (March 30, 2016). "Flames make history with 23rd straight loss in Anaheim". Calgary Herald. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
  18. Cudzinowski, Matt (August 20, 2018). "Forward Hunter Shinkaruk acquired from Calgary in return for Kerby Rychel". Montreal Canadiens . Retrieved August 20, 2018.
  19. Cudzinowski, Matt. "Canadiens agree to terms with Hunter Shinkaruk". NHL.com. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
  20. "Checkers sign Sheppard, Shinkaruk and Markison to AHL deals". Charlotte Checkers . July 18, 2019. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
  21. "Kunlun agree to terms with Hunter Shinkaruk". Instagram. December 23, 2019. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  22. "Dinamo Riga add Canadian Hunter Shinkaruk" (in Latvian). Dinamo Riga. June 2, 2021. Archived from the original on December 1, 2021. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  23. 1 2 "Hunter Shinkaruk prospect profile". HockeysFuture.com. March 14, 2012. Retrieved March 14, 2012.
  24. "Hunter Shinkaruk: 2013 NHL Draft Player Profile #11". LastWordOnSports.com. April 20, 2013. Retrieved April 20, 2013.
  25. Odland, Kristen. "Shinkaruk is Forced to be a Spectator" . Retrieved March 13, 2017 via PressReader.
  26. Hunter Shinkaruk: 2013 NHL Draft Prospect Profile – In Lou We Trust
  27. Hunter is the hunted: Medicine Hat Tigers sniper Shinkaruk ready for hype of 2013 NHL entry draft | The Province
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Vancouver Canucks first round draft pick
2013
Succeeded by