Crnkovic stock rising after WHL Cup

Team Alberta played the role of the steamroller leading up to the gold-medal game of the WHL Cup. They seemed destined to win their sixth gold medal, as they were led by two high draft picks and a former local hockey player.
What feels like a long time ago, Chestermere’s Kyle Crnkovic suited up for the Wheatland Braves for the 2014-2015 season.
From there, Crnkovic has taken his talents to Okotoks, Kelowna and Edmonton, as he has turned into one of the top prospects in the Western Hockey League.
Last week, Crnkovic was situated comfortably on Team Alberta’s top line with former second overall pick in the 2017 Bantam Draft Connor McClennon, and fourth overall pick and team captain, Jake Neighbours.
Alberta usually dominates the tournament previously known as the Western Canada U-16 Challenge Cup, having won their previous 16 games, dating back to Nov. 4, 2012.
Things were going as planned for the Albertans, as their top line was having their way each time they stepped on the ice.
Crnkovic, who was selected six picks behind Neighbours by the Saskatoon Blades, had himself quite the tournament. In five games, he racked up three goals and nine assists, as Alberta stormed their way to another final against Team B.C.
“It was a great experience. We have a great group of guys, great coaches, great team effort and I thought we played well,” said Crnkovic.
In the final, Crnkovic picked up a pair of assists on the two opening goals to the former No. 1 overall pick Kaiden Guhle and McClennon.
“He was fantastic for us. He brings real speed and a great goal-scoring ability into our lineup each game,” said X-Treme teammate and Alberta defenceman Luke Prokop.
B.C. carried a 3-2 lead deep into the third, until McClennon scored on the power play at the 18:16 mark to force overtime.
From there, Swift Current Broncos and 13th overall pick Ben King tipped in Ryan Watson’s point shot, to give B.C. their second tournament title.
A difficult loss, no doubt, but the undesired result does not take away from the brilliance put on display by Crnkovic’s work last weekend, as he led the tournament in scoring and was named to the WHL Cup All-Star team.
Crnkovic’s success only continues the trajectory he has set out on since leaving the Braves program.
In his first year with the Rocky Mountain Raiders bantam AAA program, he was named Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League Rookie of the Year after scoring 36 goals and 71 points in 35 games.
The following year, he moved to Kelowna to play for the Pursuit of Excellence Bantam Prep squad in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League, where he lit the lamp 40 times and supplied 79 assists in 30 games, as his team went on to win the CSSBHL title.
“I don’t think it’s been a hard adjustment, moving around so much,” said Crnkovic. “I’ve always had great billets and I’ve moved with a couple of my teammates to Edmonton, which has made things easier.”
There is a lot of firepower in the 5-foot-7 frame. His footwork allows him to create open space where he can view the ice, and either wire his firm shot on net or use his vision to set up another teammate.
Transforming into a WHL prospect, he teamed up with other former Braves on Team South for the 2016-2017 Alberta Cup, where he scored four goals and six points to finish third in scoring, as South went on to win the Alberta Cup. He was also named to the tournament all-star team, joining the likes of Peyton Krebs, Nolan Patrick and Morgan Reilly as past all-stars.
Crnkovic will now return to Edmonton, where he suits up for the Northern Alberta X-Treme Prep team. Through eight games this year, he has seven goals and 12 points.
“Kyle has been very dynamic for us through eight games,” said X-Treme Head Coach Matt Tassone. “He leads our team in points and I’m not surprised at all about his success. He is our most consistent forward and we will rely on him in the future for producing points.”
Prior to the school season, Crnkovic attended his first training camp with the blue and gold. He appeared in two pre-season games and notched one assist in a 4-3 victory over the Prince Albert Raiders.
Only weighing in at 150 pounds, it would be interesting to see if the Blades want to call him up for any of the five games he is eligible for and expose him in a league where he is destined to be one of the smallest players on the ice.
“I got asked about Kyle’s size a lot this tournament. To me, it doesn’t matter anymore. If a kid can put the puck in the net, then he can put the puck in the net,” said Team Alberta Head Coach Sprios Anastas.
“I think he’s going to be a WHL player one day and I truly think he’s doing to dominate in that league.”
But size hasn’t stopped him before, and it certainly doesn’t look like it’s going to stop him any time soon.
“It’s pretty cool to think about the NHL guys who have come through this tournament in the past,” said Crnkovic about the WHL Cup’s alumni roster. “Hopefully my name can be up there one day.”