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Focht doesn’t want to put a label on his late-blooming career, but did cite a trade from the Tri-City Americans to the Hitmen as being a key cog in his development. He’ll be joined next WHL season by defenceman Jett Woo, the Canucks second-round 2018 pick, who was traded in the off-season by the Moose Jaw Warriors.

“Maybe I didn’t get the opportunity earlier in my WHL career, but I was fortunate to be traded where I really fit in,” added Focht. “And I like to think I played GM a bit there and helped get Jett there in the deal. We talked about it for a while and he’s going to be a real presence in our locker-room and on the ice.”

Focht didn’t really know what to expect in this past draft.

There were some conversations with the Canucks during last season but nothing to indicate something tangible. He wasn’t even in Vancouver for the draft because he was participating in a charity 3-on-3 event for Humboldt Broncos forward Adam Herold, who died in the tragic bus crash.

“It was pretty special to be there with all my buddies and my family back in Regina,” he said. “It was a very special day. I didn’t play with him (Herold) but got to know him through training camps around the area.”

OVERTIME: Travis Green has more than a passing interest in ongoing negotiations to get restricted free agent wingerBrock Boeser signed to an extension before main camp. “I want him at camp badly,” said the Canucks coach. “I know he loves the game and I want it for him and I know he doesn’t not want to be here. I want him to be here for his teammates and to help us win. Being here early in camp is really important. You miss that time and it’s hard. The first three days of pace sets you up. Your body gets pushed and recovers and gets pushed and recovers and that takes you to the first game of the year. I do understand the business side of it, but I also learned not to worry about the things you can’t control.”

bkuzma@postmedia.com

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