The likelihood Jonas Harkins sees a shift in the 2018 Memorial Cup for the Regina Pats might seem slim but that hasn’t stopped him from soaking up the experience.
The 17-year-old Cariboo Cougar graduate and former Prince George Cougar has seen limited action in the Queen City since being acquired at the WHL Trade Deadline in January along with Jesse Gabrielle.
Regina is knee-deep on the blueline with highly-skilled offensive defenceman like Josh Mahura, Libor Hajek and Cale Fleury in addition to a trio of shutdown defenders Liam Schoiler, Aaron Hyman and Brady Pouteau.
However, the temporary logjam hasn’t stopped Harkins from a learning a thing or two from the veterans.
“I’ve got a great group of teammates and even though I might not get a chance out there but it’s a great opportunity to watch and support the guys as I don’t want to be negative because they are my teammates and I am going to cheer them on hard.”
A critical game is on tap for the Memorial Cup hosts tonight as the Pats look to end the tournament round robin on a positive note against the Swift Current Broncos who have fellow former Cougar defenceman Josh Anderson.
Since Harkins is considered a black ace, he gets a lot of extra reps in practice with a number of younger players who are in the same boat as him as they try and stay sharp.
The veteran core of the Pats has been very forthcoming with advice, which has helped immensely on the development side of the equation.
“Learning about their poise with the puck and how they are so calm out even though they are on a huge stage like this and is something I want to get into my game is to be calm with the puck – the older guys have helped me a lot and I’m just trying to learn as much as I can.”
“I ask them about different parts of their game like Mahura’s poise with the puck and how he can skate up the ice and make a quick play and Fleury’s great defensive play and I’m just trying to watch them in practice and put it to good use.”
Harkins has a chance for a much bigger role in Regina next season with the Pats expected to ice a much younger lineup in 2018-19.
However it works out, it will be an experience Harkins won’t soon forget.