The 21-year-old was traded by the Vancouver Canucks to his hometown Calgary Flames on Monday, and while being dealt for the first time in his career is jarring, there's relief in knowing he's going somewhere familiar.
"I've never been traded before in junior or pro, so obviously it's a big surprise and a big shock," Shinkaruk said, according to the Vancouver Province's Ben Kuzma.
"Obviously my head is spinning," he added, "but I could not be happier."
More from #Flames Shinkaruk: "When you get a chance to play for the team you grew up cheering for, it’s a pretty amazing feeling."
"A kid growing up in Calgary, he wants to win in Calgary," Shinkaruk said. "So it's pretty cool I have that opportunity."
Shinkaruk never got much of an opportunity in Vancouver, the Canucks deeming him not NHL-ready. After a full season in the AHL in 2014-15, in which the winger scored 16 goals and added 15 assists in 74 games, Shinkaruk's taken strides this season. He has 21 goals - good for seventh in the AHL - in 45 games, along with 18 assists.
Shinkaruk will report to Calgary's AHL affiliate in Stockton, but he's a Flame, and will soon live out a dream he undoubtedly had as a child.
CALGARY - The Calgary Flames acquired forward Hunter Shinkaruk from the Vancouver Canucks for centre Markus Granlund on Monday.
Shinkaruk will be assigned to the AHL's Stockton Heat.
Shinkaruk, a Calgary native, was selected in the first r...
Shinkaruk has appeared in one game - and logged less than 10 minutes - with the Canucks since being selected 24th overall back in 2013. He leads the AHL's Utica Comets in scoring in his second professional season, with 21 goals and 39 points.
Granlund, selected in the second round two years prior, has four goals and seven points in 31 games with the big club this season. He's seen time in the minors in all three seasons with the organization, amassing 14 goals and 14 assists in 86 total games.
Vancouver landed Sven Baertschi in exchange for a second-round pick in a deal with Calgary last spring. The Flames used the pick to select Rasmus Andersson, a defenseman contributing at nearly a point-per-game pace with the OHL's Barrie Colts.
Vancouver, B.C. - Vancouver Canucks General Manager Jim Benning announced today that the Canucks have acquired Markus Granlund from Calgary in exchange for Hunter Shinkaruk.
Granlund, 22, has split the 2015-16 season between the Calgary Flames ...
Vancouver, BC – Vancouver Canucks General Manager Jim Benning announced today that the club has reassigned centre Alex Friesen to the AHL Utica Comets.
Friesen, 25, appeared in his first NHL game on February 15, 2016 versus the Minnesota Wild....
Vrbata scored his first goal in February Sunday night, but ended up playing only 12:41 in the contest. He has 12 goals and 12 assists - with nine of those points coming on the power play - in 57 games this season.
His contract set to expire this summer, Vrbata and his $5 million salary and cap hit are expected to be on the move come next week's trade deadline. Vancouver's nine points out of a playoff spot in the Pacific Division, and seven behind in the wild-card race, so all signs point to the club selling off assets as Feb. 29 approaches.
Vrbata, who will turn 35 in June, is in his second season with the Canucks.
VANCOUVER - Jannik Hansen had two goals and Ryan Miller made 37 saves Sunday as the Vancouver Canucks downed the Colorado Avalanche 5-1 to snap a four-game losing streak.
Adam Cracknell, Radim Vrbata and Christopher Tanev, into an empty net, ...
Vancouver Canucks forward Radim Vrbata's trade value was definitely on the rise Sunday against the Colorado Avalanche as he ended a 14-game goalless drought in front of a number of league scouts, but his night took a turn for the worst during the third period.
The pending free agent took an awkward fall while being pursued by defenseman Tyson Barrie in the corner, and the 34-year-old immediately left the game and limped to the dressing room.
The team has yet to give any update on the winger's condition, but Canucks fans are clearly worried about one of their most valuable trade assets ahead of the trade deadline.
Vrbata injured. No. His trade value was sky rocketing.
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