Thürkauf, 19, has recorded 17 goals and 14 assists for 31 points with 47 penalty minutes and a +14 plus/minus rating in 28 games with the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League this season. He is second on the club in goals, points (tied) and penalty minutes and is third in plus/minus.
The native of Zug, Switzerland made his WHL debut with the Rockets in 2015-16, posting 18-27-45 with 54 penalty minutes and was +19 in 61 games. He led team rookies in goals and points and finished second-T in assists. The 6-2, 203-pound forward was selected 59th overall by Kelowna in the 2015 CHL Import Draft.
Thürkauf is currently serving as captain for Switzerland at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championships, posting 2-1-3 in two contests. He has also represented Switzerland at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championships and the 2015 IIHF World U18 Championships.
The Blue Jackets, who have set a club record with 14-straight victories to improve to 25-5-4 on the season, return to action on Saturday when they visit the Minnesota Wild. Game time at Xcel Energy Center is 6 p.m. ET. Live coverage on FOX Sports Ohio begins with the Blue Jackets Live pre-game show starting at 5:30 p.m. The game will also be broadcast live on the Scioto Downs Blue Jackets Radio Network, CD102.5 FM, and online at BlueJackets.com.
