Crookshank developing skills with elite training partners in British Columbia

Angus Crookshank is in his element.

The affable Belleville Senators forward couldn’t help but seem pleased with his progress as he reflected on his career in a recent interview on The Belleville Sens Podcast, and he has reason to be satisfied with his past season. Crookshank managed 47 points, including 26 goals, in 71 appearances after returning from a significant ACL injury that caused him to miss all of the previous year. 

The native of North Vancouver, British Columbia, must also be gratified by the emergence of a burgeoning hockey scene in his hometown. A wealth of talent is congregating in the Lower Mainland. He now has his choice of elite professionals to train and practice with daily. 

The rapidly emerging prospect values developing his skills within this fraternity. Like many hockey players in the area, Crookshank and his compatriots trained at the Burnaby Winter Club Hockey Academy in their youth.

Now, Crookshank has come to rely on a bevy of local National Hockey League talent in the offseason. He works out at Level Ten Performance with trainer Jon Stea and also has the fortune of skating with National Hockey League starts like Mathew Barzal (NYI), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (EDM), Kent Johnson (CBJ), Danton Heinen (PIT) and Chicago Blackhawks 2023 first overall draft selection Connor Bedard, at Kaivo Hockey and ELD hockey. 

Considering the level of competition and activity, it is hard to believe that Crookshank and his partners get much rest in the offseason.

“From a training perspective, I’m skating six or seven times a week and in the gym anywhere from two to three hours a day,” Crookshank said. “We have a really good group of guys that are competitors. There are some summer skates where it is like glorified open hockey training-type stuff. When we get out of the drills and are playing scrimmages, it is cutthroat. Guys are slashing and cross-checking each other. So it’s intense, which is the way you want it.”

In terms of advancing his professional career, Crookshank is still taking a patient approach. 

“I keep trusting my process and staying within myself, all those cliches that everybody says. But I’m looking forward to being able to play hockey again,” he said. “You feel like the summer is short, but at the same time, I’m already starting to get that itch to be able to play games again and compete.”

Given his elite training partners and high skill level, Crookshank will be ready to demonstrate an excellent compete level for the Senators once the season begins.

More information on single-game tickets will be released ahead of the season, but for now, Belleville Senators  season seat memberships, group experiences , and Business Elite memberships for the 2023-24 season are all currently on sale. You can get more information via the Belleville Sens website.

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