‘First time being traded, so a bit little bit of a shock. I don’t know if there’s a stage of (commerce) disappointment. You be taught loads yearly you play.’ — Jack Rathbone
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Jack Rathbone’s optimistic manner commonly bubbled to the floor.
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Whether or not coping with a demotion, scoring hunch, accidents and even a COVID-19 prognosis, the diminutive fleet-footed defenceman at all times maintained that adversity is a part of the skilled journey.
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In his world, it’s not what occurs to you, it’s the way you deal with it.
In any case, he was as soon as thought-about the Vancouver Canucks’ high prospect as a result of the membership hoped to transition into being youthful, quicker, stronger and extra structured.
“That’s superior,” he informed Postmedia Information. “That’s my model of play and music to your ears.”
That was then. That is now.
The newest take a look at of profession mettle got here Tuesday. The Canucks packaged Rathbone, their fourth-round decide within the 2017 draft, in a multiplayer swap with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
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And despite the fact that it appeared inevitable — the 24-year-old West Roxbury, Mass., native cleared waivers earlier than this NHL season to be reassigned to the membership’s AHL affiliate in Abbotsford — he hasn’t processed the profession change.
“Truthfully, no,” he mentioned Wednesday. “First time being traded, so a bit little bit of a shock. I don’t know if there’s a stage of disappointment. You be taught loads yearly you play. A whole lot of credit score goes to how my mother and pa raised me to deal with alternatives.”
With rookie Cole McWard having a powerful NHL camp and pre-season, and Akito Hirose turning into the primary harm recall desire final week, it was the signal of fixing occasions for Rathbone. He began this AHL season in a 3rd pairing with McWard and that’s not the place you count on a prospect to show he needs to be within the NHL.
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Or, was it the truth that the Canucks have already got a major and spectacular smaller defenceman in captain Quinn Hughes? Are two too many?
“Personally, I don’t suppose so,” added Rathbone, who will report back to the Penguins’ AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre Pa. “However that’s not my choice. At any time when I did get the chance, I attempted to benefit from it. I’m excited to get going and have a bit little bit of a contemporary begin.”
Rathbone did have his moments in 28 video games within the NHL and 86 within the AHL.
His 40 factors (10-30) in 39 video games within the 2020-21 season earned an AHL all-rookie crew honour, however he slipped to only 14 factors (5-9) in 37 video games final season — a marketing campaign that began with a Nov. 28 demotion.
In successive seasons, Rathbone was hospitalized in a single day after absorbing devastating hits. And regardless of a shoulder harm, concussion and COVID prognosis, his resolve to develop into an NHL mainstay by no means wavered. And neither has his stage of gratitude for his time within the Decrease Mainland.
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“I met quite a lot of nice individuals and a few pals for all times in that group,” he mentioned. “I simply wish to say thanks.”
Right here’s a take a look at the Canucks’ high defenceman prospects:
1. Tom Willander (eleventh total 2023 draft)
Standing: Shoots proper, 6-foot-1, 180 kilos, Stockholm
Statistics: 2022-23; Rogle BK J20; GP: 39, G: 4, A: 21, Pts: 25; Rogle BK Angelholm, GP: 2, G: 0, A: 0, Pts: 0. 2023-24; Boston College (NCAA) GP 1: G: 1, A: 1, Pts: 2.
Skinny: Represented his nation on the 2023 Beneath-18 world championship. Impressed with eight factors (3-5) in seven video games. In gold-medal recreation, Sweden misplaced 3-2 in time beyond regulation to the U.S. Received stronger, extra snug in second half of season.
Scouting: Progression in relation to different (draftable) gamers most progressive. His skating is elite, and may observe pucks. Doesn’t shoot exceptionally arduous, however finds house and lane to get it to the online.
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2. Hunter Brzustewicz (seventy fifth total 2023 draft)
Standing: Shoots proper, 6-foot, 188 lbs., Washington, Mich.
Stats: 2023-24; Kitchener (OHL); GP: 7, G: 4, A; 9, Pts: 13; 2022-23 GP: 61, G: 6, A: 51, Pts. 57.
Skinny: A part of progress is nice puck motion, skill to leap up and browse performs, and quarterback energy play. A part of it’s being a product of the famend U.S.A. Hockey Nationwide Crew Growth Program in Plymouth, Mich.
Scouting: Wants to wash up defensive facet together with his mentality, however primarily shoot the puck extra and have “that canine mentality.” Fairly good together with his reads and is aware of when to go and when to not.
3. Elias Pettersson (eightieth total, 2022 draft)
Standing: Shoots left, 6-foot-2, 194 lbs., Vasteras, Sweden
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Stats: 2023-24; Orebro HK (SHL); GP: 4, G: 0, A: 0, Pts: 0; Vasteras (SHL-1); GP: 4, G: 0, A: 3, Pts: 3; Orebro HK (Junior); GP: 4, G: 0, A: 7, Pts: 7; 2022-23; Orebro (SHL); GP: 43, G: 1, A: 6, Pts: 7.
Skinny: Lent to Vasteras IK of Sweden’s second-tier professional loop this month to get extra ice time and his recreation so as and had three assists in first 4 video games. Additionally logged 4 junior video games.
Scouting: Excessive stage of compete attracted Canucks. Not afraid to throw his weight round and mobility permits him to shut quick on the opposition. Can drive the offence with good crisp passes.
4. Cole McWard (2023 NCAA free agent)
Standing: Shoots proper, 6-foot-1, 192 lbs., Fenton, Missouri
Stats: 2022-23; (Ohio State, NCAA) GP: 39, G: 9, A: 12, Pts: 21; (NHL) GP: 5, G: 1, A: 0, Pts: 1; 2023-24; (Abbotsford, AHL) GP: 2, G: 0, A: 2, Pts: 2.
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Skinny: Style of NHL recreation final spring gave him a leg-up on low season prep. Got here to camp at age 22 and wasn’t overwhelmed by expectation or being paired with Hughes.
Scouting: Improved skating permits higher puck management and confidence. Not afraid to throw a examine and doesn’t put himself out of place. Anticipate him to play NHL video games this season.
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