Shmyr in gear on the No.1 line

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This article was published 03/12/2014 (4216 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Given an expanded opportunity to show off his skill, Braylon Shmyr wants to make the most of it.

The 17-year-old left-winger has spent the past two games on the Brandon Wheat Kings’ top line with Tim McGauley and Jayce Hawryluk, while import Rihards Bukarts recovers from an injury.

Shmyr had an assist in each game as Brandon posted a pair of road wins on the weekend and has remained with McGauley and Hawryluk in practice this week as the Wheat Kings prepare to visit the Regina Pats tonight (CKLQ, 6:30) in a battle of the top two teams in the Western Hockey League’s East Division.

“I’m feeling confident playing up with that line,” said Shmyr, whose Wheat Kings lead the Eastern Conference with a 21-5-2-0 record. “I’ve just got to play my game and keep it simple and keep it rolling.”

Brandon’s first-round pick, 12th overall, in the 2012 WHL bantam draft, Shmyr has been brought along slowly by the Wheat Kings, seeing mainly fourth-line duty when he’s been in the lineup. The 5-foot-9, 163-pound speedster from Calgary had three goals and six assists in 34 games last season as a rookie. In 23 contests this season, he’s got four goals and five assists, with his greatest contributions having come in the shootout, where he’s 3-for-4 for his career.

But Shmyr is showing Wheat Kings head coach and general manager Kelly McCrimmon he’s able to do more if needed.

“I think he’s complemented Tim and Jayce real well,” McCrimmon said. “Their line was good both nights on our trip. He was on our scoresheet both nights with nice plays. Injuries are opportunities for other players, and Braylon, I thought, played well.”

Shmyr said an early goal by the unit in Friday’s 4-3 overtime win over the Saskatoon Blades helped him settle in quickly with his new linemates.

“My first shift I got an assist, so I knew after that it was going to be a good couple of games,” he said.

How long Shmyr stays on the line is yet to be seen, with Bukarts listed day-to-day and likely to be back in the lineup soon. Regardless of how the lines shake out when Bukarts returns, McCrimmon sees benefits for players like Shmyr when they get a chance to compete alongside and against top players in the WHL.

“I think if you can get that opportunity and do well it’s going to help your confidence regardless of whether you move back down the lineup or get the chance later to come back up in case of a change,” McCrimmon said. “I think there’s a lot to be gained for a young player to be getting an increased opportunity.”

ONE-TIMERS: Brandon D Kale Clague (upper body) and LW Ty Lewis (arm) are both listed as out week-to-week, although Lewis is taking part in non-contact practice … LW Jesse Gabrielle left Tuesday’s practice and did not return … The Wheat Kings have points in five straight games (4-0-1-0) … The Pats (16-10-1-0) have won 10 of their last 12 contests and are playing in their homecoming game after rolling through the B.C. Division with a 4-1 mark … Regina D Kyle Burroughs is +22 in his last 13 games to take the WHL lead in plus/minus at +27.

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