Each week, I will be featuring the Vancouver Canucks’ top three prospects. Here’s a look at who stood out in week 19.
This week’s featured prospects of the Vancouver Canucks, for the first time in several weeks, does not feature a player from the Utica Comets.
It does, however, include a prospect with his first goal in the Kontinental Hockey League, as well as a goaltender that recorded his first Ontario League shutout. The third highlighted prospect is one that seems to be flourishing in his new surroundings.
1. Vasili Podkolzin
Since returning from the World Junior Championships, Vasili Podkolzin has seen increased ice-time. As a result, he is playing with more confidence. Early in the season, Podkolzin, along with the Canucks management and fans were frustrated with his lack of playing time. In his last contest, he played 12:11, which is up considerably from his early-season numbers.
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His initial KHL goal came on Tuesday versus CSKA Moscow. With the game scoreless in the second period, Podkolzin received a pass and got around the defender. He then cut hard to the front of the net and jammed it in. However, SKA St. Petersburg ended up dropping a 3-2 decision.
In his next match, Podkolzin would enter the offensive zone on a three-on-two rush. He then cut to the middle and snapped home a wrist shot tying the game 3-3. SKA St. Petersburg ultimately won the game 7-4.
2. Arturs Silovs
It has been a couple of months since Arturs Silovs received a mention as a prospect of the week. Hopefully, recording his first OHL shutout will restore him to his early-season form. Silovs has shared the net this season with Jet Greaves, each playing 23 games thus far.
Although his .887 save percentage and 3.79 goals-against average are less than stellar, they are better than the .886 and 4.12 numbers of his counterpart.
For Silovs, the shutout came on Thursday, as he made 19 saves in a 5-0 victory over the Oshawa Generals.
3. Linus Karlsson
A move to a new team seemed to be just what the doctor ordered for Linus Karlsson. Since joining BIK Karlskoga, Karlsson managed to produce seven points in four games. His last outing, a three-point effort, came in a 6-5 overtime loss on Friday versus Almtuna. With Karlskoga trailing 2-0, Karlsson would light the lamp with a late first-period goal.
However, Almtuna scored three times in the middle frame and led 5-2 after 40 minutes. Karlsson then set up the 5-3 goal just 47 seconds into the third period before scoring his second goal of the contest midway through the period. Karlskoga notched another marker with under five minutes left to force the overtime.
Honourable mentions
Ethan Keppen managed four points in four contests this past week.
Jake Kielly stopped 40 of 41 shots in a 2-1 shootout loss for the Kalamazoo Wings in the ECHL.
Jett Woo added three assists in a pair of games for the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League.
Arvid Costmar continues to produce at an outrageous rate in the SuperElit U20 playoffs. Costmar has eight points in just four games.
Many of the Canucks prospects continue to shine. Please check back next week to see which of these unique young talents will be featured.