By Jeff D'Andrea

Kryski a case of ‘what could have been’ for Raiders

Apr 24, 2014 | 7:08 AM

The Prince Albert Raiders always knew that Jake Kryski was going to turn into a dynamic and skilled forward, but what they didn’t know is if he’d report to Prince Albert.

After drafting him 13th overall in the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft and welcomed him to Prince Albert during the Raiders’ spring camp on May 31, the Kelowna-born Kryski was hesitant to fully commit to the Raiders.

As a result, the Raiders shipped him to the Kamloops Blazers in the Cole Cheveldave trade. 

“It was a choice on behalf of me and my family, we just thought it was a little too far (from home),” said Kryski, who appeared in four games for the Blazers and had two assists. “I couldn’t be in touch with my parents as much.”

Now that Cheveldave has graduated from the WHL level, fans can look at Kryski’s success to see how good or bad the trade will turn out to be for the Raiders. Kryski has flourished in his 15-year-old rookie season at the midget level as a winger for the Okanagan Rockets, one of six participating teams to play for the 2014 Telus Cup in Moose Jaw this week.

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Although he’s a 15-year-old rookie, Kryski was instrumental in getting the Rockets to the national stage with his excellent performance in the postseason. In seven postseason games, Kryski had six goals and 11 points and many of those points were very important.

Kryski scored the game-winner for the Rockets to win the British Columbia Major Midget League finals over the Vancouver NW Giants March 22 in a 4-3 game. In the semifinals, Kryski scored on a penalty shot with 4:34 in the third period to eliminate the Valley West Hawks on March 16 in a wacky 7-6 contest.

“He was very clutch in the playoffs for us with a series winner against the Valley West Hawks on a penalty shot and then a series winner in the BCMML final,” said Rockets head coach David Michaud. “Jake’s had a great season for us and continues to get better and better as the season wears on.”

Kryski had six goals in seven playoff games for the Rockets, who beat the Red Deer Optimist Chiefs to qualify for the Telus Cup, who have won the last two Telus Cup championships. As a 15-year-old rookie, Kryski registered 48 points in 37 regular season games. 

Michaud did add that the Telus Cup has been “an eye-opener” for many of his young forwards, including Kryski who is scoreless through three games at the national stage.

“It’s my first time on the national stage. It’s really exciting,” said Kryski. “Definitely the nerves come out every once in a while, but definitely excited to be here.”

jdandrea@panow.com

On Twitter: @jeff_dandrea