Hunter Shinkaruk Winnipeg Hockey Talk Prospect

Hunter Shinkaruk

About Hunter Shinkaruk:

Shinkaruk has played in Hockey Canada’s POE program starting with Team Pacific at the 2011 Under 17 World Challenge and he also played for Team Canada at the 2012 IIHF Under 18 World Championships. Shinkaruk was one of the final cuts from Canada’s 2013 World Junior team.

Medicine Hat Tiger forward Hunter Shinkaruk

League: WHL     Team: Medicine Hat Tigers

DOB: Oct. 13 1994      Hometown: Calgary, AB

Positioin: LW    Shoots: Left
Height: 5’11       Weight: 175 

 Hunter Shinkaruk played this past season in the WHL for the Medicine Hat Tigers.

Skating

Shinkaruk is a quick and shifty skater with strong lateral agility that makes him very difficult to defend one on one off the rush.  Like all dangerous forwards, he uses this skill to back up defenders then pulling  up creating time and space for a shot or setting up a team-mate.  Shinkaruk isn’t the smoothest skater but he has good top end speed with good acceleration.

Offence 

One of Shinkaruk’s biggest assets is a tremendous wrist shot with a pro-release that he uses effectively off the rush.  He has an excellent one-timer and very heavy accurate shot and uses his quick release to surprise goaltenders.  Hunter Shinkaruk is not just a shooter but is a very good playmaker with good on ice vision that makes him an dangerous offensive threat.  He battles along the boards and in front of the net and will to go to the dirty areas of the ice to make a plays.  Hunter Shinkaruk would not be considered a real physical player but he competes and works hard. 

Defence

Shinkaruk has a decent two-way game, reads the play well and works hard on the back-check.  Like I’ve mentioned on almost all of these prospects he will need to bulk up to to compete at the next level.