Local kid on home turf just ‘so cool’
Time is short. Auditions limited. Competition fierce.
“I’ve wanted this for a long time,” says Hunter Shinkaruk, refusing to give in to the insidious gremlins of doubt. “I’ve wanted to put on that Canadian jersey for a long time. Be on TSN. Playing in the gold-medal game in this tournament.
“Having this opportunity, and being so close ... so cool. I can’t help but smile. And hopefully I can do my best to make this team and that dream will turn into reality at Christmas.”
In accordance with protocol on Day 1 of on-ice activities at the 2012 World Junior Selection camp, Team Canada hopefuls march out post-practice to facilitate knots of media in front of a long Hockey Canada back-drop that stretches down a large wall-space at the WinSport Ice Complex.
“I remember watching these interviews on TV at a young age,” muses Shinkaruk, as goaltender Malcolm Subban readies to take his turn in the queue, “so it’s kinda surreal that it’s me now. I can’t really believe it. I’m just going to come in and enjoy this experience. It’s not every day a kid from Canada gets to try out for the World Juniors.”
A local kid, on home turf, at the selection camp of his imagination. He’s right. So cool. Not that he isn’t fully deserving of the shot.
Shinkaruk is, after all, the eighth leading scorer in the Western Hockey League, having compiled 19 goals and 43 points for the Medicine Hat Tigers. But offence isn’t a rarity within this group, and as one of four draft-eligible players here, the lickety-split left winger needs no reminding that he has ground to make up, minds to change; that history is not on his side.
Already spoiled for choice, head coach Steve Spott’s group is even deeper than usual owing to the ongoing bickering between the fat-cat NHL and its handsomely-recompensed hired help.
One Sidney Crosby, by the way, is the only draft-eligible player to crack a Canadian roster in a lockout season.
“I didn’t know that,” responds Shinkaruk. “That’d be pretty neat, to be in that category. Crosby’s a guy I’ve looked up to for a long time. Someone I try to model myself after.”
Complicating his task is the staggeringly short window of opportunity; what amounts to only two days, and two scrimmage games, to make a vivid impression.
“Yeah, it’s real quick. And, actually, I think that’s good. It gives us less time thinking about how we need to play, just kinda roll into it and play the way we have all year. It’s quick but we’re gonna have to make a statement pretty soon. I can’t over-complicate the situation, starting wonder how the coaching staff wants me to play. I’m here for a reason. I feel that’s what’s going to give me the best shot.
“I think if I start changing my game that’s when I’m going to stop being a factor. Obviously, if the coaching staff puts me in a different position I’ll have to change a bit, but right now I’m going out there and being creative, using my skill, my shot.
“That’s the confidence you have to have coming into this camp. Trust in your skill-set and use it. I’m going to be at my best using my speed every time I’m on the ice. That’ll allow me to play in all roles.”
On the concourse ringing the Markin MacPhail Centre international-sized rink at Calgary’s WinSport facilities, Shinkaruk’s dad, Roger, longtime dentist for the WHL Calgary Hitmen, is watching his son try to transform ambition into reality. And, like hockey dads everywhere, sweating it out.
“Hunter has a sincere passion for what he’s doing. He has literally dreamed about this since ... well, virtually all his life.
“He’s incredibly astute as far as details go. I can remember going to Flames games and him telling me that Jarome Iginla had changed the tape on his sticks. This was when he was four years old.
“For him, this is one goal accomplished — to be here. The next is to make the team. He’s an incredibly focused, very well-balanced kid. He’s very, very realistic. “He knows where he is in this camp, what he has to try and do. So we leave him alone. We talk about a lot of other things than hockey.
“As a parent, you just try to allow your kids to reach their dreams, and facilitate whatever you can in doing that. So far it’s on track for him.”
After the first morning workout, all is well.
“Early on,” admits Shinkaruk, “you kind of try and get the jitters out. But I don’t know if they fully leave.”
Having previous experience in the wide Hockey Canada umbrella helps. He’s a known commodity. But there isn’t only Ufa, Russia, to consider. To crack this team, and perhaps factor in a Canadian redemption tournament, would go a ways in pushing his draft stock up. Forwards JC Lipon, Nathan MacKinnon, Jonathan Drouin and Sean Monahan are the other draft eligibles auditioning here.
“It’s gonna be friendly competition. Going into the draft we all want to be the best. And this is a camp that could separate us. But the first thing on all our minds is sticking around.”
That’s no sure thing, Shinkaruk fully understands. Still, he says he hasn’t installed an ‘In Case’ defence mechanism to deal with possible disappointment.
“You’ve got to realize there’s a lot of good players in this country,” says the local outsider looking for a way in. “Coming here, I knew that. But I’m also confident I can make this team. If I don’t, it’s not something I’m going to hang my head over. I also know that, if not, there’s a chance that maybe I can make it next year.
“But that’s the furthest thing from my mind. I’m not thinking about what can go bad. I’m only thinking about what can go right. “It’s in my hands.”