Thanks to everyone who voted for this year’s Top 25 Under 25 ranking. We had 102 submissions from Columbus Blue Jackets fans. We’ll be counting down the 25 highest voted players over the next five weeks. Up next: Calvin Thurkauf
#24: Calvin Thurkauf
Voting
24th out of 38 eligible players
Writer Rank: Not Ranked
Reader Rank: 23rd
Highest placement: 7th (1 vote)
Most common placement: 23rd and 25th (4 votes each)
Last year’s rank: 21st
Biography
Birthdate: June 27, 1997
Birthplace: Zug, SUI
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 205 lbs
Position: Center/Left Wing
Shoots: Left
Acquired: Drafted by the Blue Jackets in Round 7 (185th overall) of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft
2020-21 Season
Thurkauf, a restricted free agent during the 2020-21 season, signed a one year deal in his hometown with EV Zug of the Swiss National League once the North American season was delayed. In the National League, Thurkauf played 22 games, notched three goals and two assists for five points to go along with 26 penalty minutes.
His contract was signed with a loan recall option, but that option was never exercised as the Blue Jackets elected to leave Thurkauf in Switzerland for the duration of the year. Thurkhauf was part of the National League champions during his stint with Zug.
2021-22 Forecast
Thurkauf left Zug at season’s end, signing a three year deal with HC Lugano, also of the Swiss National League. This deal throws Thurkauf’s Blue Jackets future in doubt – already aged 24, declining a qualifying offer, and signing a deal through the 2023-24 season when he will be 27, there may be little future for Thurkauf in the Blue Jackets organization. The team has shown a willingness to take chances on players on veteran minimum contracts coming back from overseas (Mikhail Grigorenko, for example), so Thurkauf could in theory come back one day.
But, with this new extension, his future in the organization is in doubt.
Scouting Reports
Big and powerful forward who can play both center and wing. Decent offensive skills but lacks high-end talent. Dobber Prospects