I was a part time assistant coach for the West Kelowna Midget B team when this kid finished his hockey academy season and dropped into the roster. It was absolutely unbelievable. Just skating circles around everyone. Unfortunately for that team he dominated too much and the AAA team came calling, pretty sure he dominated there too and every level after that on his way to the NHL.
Part of me was hoping the Canucks would get him and he would have a couple really good shut-down D years here, close to where he grew up. Maybe also to stick it to the Oilers for winning that sweepstakes way back when. Either way, congrats to him on a nice career. I hope those personal reasons are nothing more than he just doesn't want to grind anymore, or NHL or bust kind of thing.