Morgan Klimchuk

Morgan Klimchuk
Born March 2, 1995
Regina, SK, CAN
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Position Left Wing
Shoots Left
NHL team (P)
Cur. team
Calgary Flames
Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
NHL Draft 28th overall, 2013
Calgary Flames
Playing career 2014present

Morgan Klimchuk (born March 2, 1995) is a Canadian junior ice hockey player. He is currently a member of the Brandon Wheat Kings in the Western Hockey League (WHL). Klimchuk is a prospect of the Calgary Flames, selected in the first round, 28th overall, at the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career

Born in Regina, Saskatchewan, Klimchuk grew up in Calgary, Alberta, and played his minor hockey in the Calgary Buffaloes system.[1] He was the captain of his team in the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League in 2009–10 and led his squad to the final of the Western Canadian Bantam championship, ultimately settling for second place.[2] The Western Hockey League (WHL)'s Regina Pats selected him in the first round, fifth overall, at the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft,[3] and he appeared in five games with the Pats in 2010–11.[4] Klimchuk joined the Pats full-time in 2011–12. He played in 67 games, and his 36 points helped Regina reach the WHL playoffs for the first time since 2008.[5] He was a member of Team Pacific at the 2012 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, finishing second in team scoring with six points in six games, and played with Team Alberta at the 2011 Canada Winter Games.[1]

In his second WHL season, 2012–13, Klimchuk improved to 76 points and finished second in team scoring.[6] He made two appearances with the Canadian national under-18 team. He was a member of the gold medal-winning Canadian team at the 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. Playing on the top line with Sam Reinhart and Connor McDavid, Klimchuk scored eight points to help lead Canada to a gold medal at the 2013 IIHF World U18 Championships.[1]

Playing all roles in Regina, Klimchuk developed into a top prospect for the 2013 NHL Entry Draft and was ranked by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau 25th among North American skaters. He credited the chance to play in all offensive and defensive situations with helping him develop a strong two-way game.[7] The Calgary Flames used the pick they acquired in the Jarome Iginla trade to select Klimchuk in the first round, 28th overall.[8]

On January 2nd, Klimchuk was traded to the Brandon Wheatkings, in a trade that saw Jesse Gabrielle move to the Pats.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2010–11 Regina Pats WHL 5 0 1 1 0
2011–12 Regina Pats WHL 67 18 18 36 27 5 0 1 1 2
2012–13 Regina Pats WHL 72 36 40 76 20
2013–14 Regina Pats WHL 57 30 44 74 27 4 3 2 5 2
2013–14 Abbotsford Heat AHL 4 0 0 0 4
WHL totals 201 84 103 187 74 9 3 3 6 4

International

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2013 Canada U18 WJC-U18 1st 7 3 5 8 6
Junior totals 7 3 5 8 6

Awards and honours

Awards Year
Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament Gold Medal with Team Canada 2012 [9]
IIHF World U18 Championship Gold Medal with Team Canada 2013 [10]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Morgan Klimchuk draft profile". National Hockey League. Retrieved 2013-07-01.
  2. "Regina Pats sign first pick in 2010 Bantam Draft". Western Hockey League. 2010-05-31. Retrieved 2013-07-01.
  3. Flett, Cory; Watts, Jesse, eds. (2012). 2012–13 WHL Official Guide. Western Hockey League. p. 110.
  4. "Morgan Klimchuk profile". Western Hockey League. Retrieved 2013-07-01.
  5. Watts, Jesse (2012-10-17). "Catching up with... Morgan Klimchuk". Western Hockey League. Retrieved 2013-07-01.
  6. Peterson, Torie (2013-07-01). "Numerology: Morkan Klimchuk". Calgary Flames Hockey Club. Retrieved 2013-07-01.
  7. Cruickshank, Scott (2013-07-01). "Klimchuk always fond of Flames". Calgary Herald. p. C3.
  8. Sportak, Randy (20123-07-01). "Pressure on Poirier, Klimchuk". Calgary Sun. p. S5. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. CHL Network
  10. Canada's National Men's Under-18 Team wins gold medal at 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship

External links

Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Émile Poirier
Calgary Flames' first round draft pick
2013
Succeeded by
Sam Bennett