Former Canucks first rounder signs a new contract overseas
Former Vancouver Canucks first round pick Hunter Shinkaruk has signed in Wales for the 2024-25.
On Monday afternoon, Welsh club Cardiff Devils, who play in the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) announced that they've agreed to terms on a one-year contract for the 2024-25 season with former Vancouver Canucks first round pick Hunter Shinkaruk.
Hunter Shinkaruk was the third player announced, a former first round NHL draft pick of the Vancouver Canucks. He played 15 games in the NHL, two seasons in the KHL and last season he was in Iserlohn in the German DEL. A player with a nose for the net, his best asset is his silky hands and his playmaking ability. He will be attending Cardiff Met University as well as playing for the Devils." The Devils said on Monday.
Shinkaruk, 29, was selected 24th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in 2013, ahead of names such as Shea Theodore (26th), Ryan Hartman (30th) and JT Compher (35th), just to name a few. His time with the Vancouver Canucks organization didn't last too long as he was dealt to the Calgary Flames during his second professional season in 2015-16.
The Calgary native spent the next four seasons primarily in the American Hockey League before heading overseas in 2019 to play in the KHL. In the last five seasons, Shinkaruk has played for Kunlun Red Star (KHL), Dynamo Riga (KHL), HV71 (HockeyAllsvenskan), HC Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk (KHL) and most recently, Iserlohn Roosters (DEL).
In 28 games last season with German club Iserlohn Roosters, Shinkaruk had 14 points (five goals, nine assists), 12 penalty minutes and was a minus-ten. Shinkaruk left Iserlohn at the end of the 2023-24 season after they missed the playoffs, finishing 13th out of 14 teams.
Source: Cardiff Devils
Devils complete the 2024-25 roster
Do you think Hunter Shinkaruk will ever return to North America to play again? Let us know what you think in the poll below.
| POLL | ||
Do you think Hunter Shinkaruk will ever return to North America to play? | ||
| Yes | 114 | 9.8 % |
| No | 1051 | 90.2 % |
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