ABBOTSFORD, BC – Kraken prospect winger Jagger Firkus is main the Firebirds in scoring and is tied for eighth in complete factors amongst all American Hockey League skaters. The 2022 second-rounder is averaging some extent per recreation and is on tempo to bust previous his strong AHL rookie season manufacturing by the second half of January.
But what the 2023 Western Hockey League Participant of the Yr wished to debate after a current Saturday morning skate in Abbotsford, BC, is his progress as a 200-foot participant who’s experiencing what his Firebirds coach, Derek Laxdal, and Kraken coach. Lane Lambert, each exhort: The most effective offense is protection that wins the puck again.
“Lax is actually good about letting me know that if you happen to’re good within the D-zone, that is the place our offensive possibilities occur,” mentioned Firkus, a 21-year-old on observe with Kraken participant improvement expectations. “He tells you, keep within the zone, observe, and reload by getting on pucks. It is the best way [the Kraken] is taking part in. I’m having fun with it.”
“Firk is a younger child who’s had offensive success,” mentioned Laxdal within the visiting coaches’ room throughout a current two-game weekend in B.C. “However he’s doing numerous good issues away from the puck for us. He actually did nicely in camp … it’s very cool when a younger participant begins to do the suitable issues on the defensive facet that you simply get rewarded the opposite manner.”
Laxdal added that Firkus continues to be studying. That he’ll have moments the place he’ll need to park himself together with the web moderately than in entrance of it.
“He does understand that when having web entrance presence, he is ready to gather a few of these [goals].”
Kraken participant improvement director Cory Murphy credited the CV teaching employees with instructing Firkus “the significance of these little particulars” and the way it provides to his total recreation. “It’s vital to notice Firk does perceive now that taking part in a accountable recreation at each ends of the ice results in him having the puck extra as a result of he is engaged in puck battles in all zones,” mentioned Murphy.
Not Forgetting His Scoring Contact
Not that defensive play and crease battles result in Firkus ignoring skillful offensive possibilities throughout even power or on the CVF energy play first unit. That very same Saturday night time in Abbotsford, the Firebirds’ main scorer was concerned in all three scores that pushed the Firebirds to a comeback shootout win, registering two objectives and an help. The primary objective was on the ability play arrange by fellow prime prospect Oscar Fisker Molgaard.
On the second rating, Firkus burst proper facet into the offensive zone to wire house a rebound after linemate and summer time commerce acquisition J.R. Avon almost beat the Abbotsford goalie along with his preliminary shot. The Meyers tying objective with a half-minute left in regulation was made potential by Firkus and star rookie defenseman Tyson Jugnauth biking the puck to place Meyers in place for a fast-release bullseye shot.
Confidence Recreation
One improve in Firkus’ total recreation is his capability to win puck battles in all zones, particularly within the corners. The Kraken hockey operations group seen it, and media members had been murmuring about the identical statement throughout camp and preseason NHL video games. Firkus, 5-foot-11 and 170 kilos, is sort of 20 kilos heavier than when chosen thirty fifth total in 2022. His bodily success in puck battles on the AHL degree is powerboosting the younger ahead’s mindset. He is all the time identified he can rating (how’s 158 factors in 83 common season and playoff video games his remaining WHL 12 months with Moose Jaw sound?).
“I am positively extra assured carrying the puck now,” mentioned Firkus, nonetheless solely 21. “Even simply making the faster play, I believe if you cannot shield it, make the play fast across the man to discover a teammate, you’ll be able to’t give a teammate room with the puck. I’m seeking to make performs for my teammates, too.”
