Chase Surkan is going into the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge on a high note.
The 16-year-old forward from Regina picked up his first career hat trick on Sunday, October 26 against the Moose Jaw Warriors, with all three goals coming on the power play. When asked about his success on the man advantage, Surkan was quick to offer credit to his teammates.
“We have such a great unit, they can find me wherever I am on the ice,” Surkan said. “I just try to find open areas.”
Now Surkan will bring those power play skills and high-end offense to the international stage as he joins Team Canada Red for the event. He leaves as the leading goal scorer in the WHL, despite the fact he’s not only 16 years old but has played the fewest games of any of the players he’s competing with.
“It’s quite impressive and it’s not only been the regular season, he was two points per game in the preseason too,” said Wheat Kings head coach and GM Marty Murray. “It goes back to hockey IQ and just being able to read off of good players. He’s one of those guys that gets to areas and knows how to score. It’s fun to watch. It seems like everything he touches goes in.”
Surkan’s participation makes it four years in a row the Wheat Kings have sent players to represent Canada at the event (the World Under-17s were not held in 2021 due to COVID, but Canada did form three teams of U17 players to play games against each other; Quinn Mantei took part in what was called the Capital City Challenge). Forwards Caleb Hadland, Joby Baumuller, and Jaxon Jacobson, and defenseman Gio Pantelas have all played at the World Under-17s.
The next game for the Wheat Kings comes on Wednesday night as they travel to Regina to face the Pats at 7:00 local time, 8:00 Central Time.
