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It didn’t take long for Filip Ahl to find his comfort zone with the Regina Pats.

The WHL club has expedited Ahl’s transition to a foreign league by positioning the Swedish import in a manner that helps him feel at home — smack-dab in front of the opposition’s net.

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“We’ve been able to maximize what he does (well),” offered Pats head coach/GM John Paddock. “Over 50 per cent of all goals are scored from that area (near the crease). If you have hands and you have size you’re going to get lots of opportunities like that.”

Ahl isn’t just getting opportunities, he’s burying them.

With 16 goals and 24 points in 17 games, the 19-year-old left winger is the top-scoring rookie in the WHL. He also leads the league in game-winners (five) and is tied for second in total goals (16) and power-play markers (eight).

More importantly, those numbers have helped Regina compile the WHL’s best record (14-0-3), taking a firm hold on the No. 1 spot in the CHL’s weekly top 10 rankings.