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“It was a really tough time for me,” he recalled. “I could have been in that car and was with them every day before I left for that tournament. Anyone could have been in that car. They rolled the car after coming home from cliff-jumping. But everything happens for a reason.

“I played for all of them the whole year. I have their names written on my (stick) knobs. It’s really emotional for me now.”

Boeser’s ability to channel his emotions and produce on the ice didn’t go unnoticed. He had 35 goals and 68 points in 57 games with Waterloo of the USHL. The 6-foot, 191 pound forward was one of four players the Canucks had on their wish list and when he was still available in Round 1, they didn’t hesitate — even though they liked some defencemen and didn’t address a growing depth concern there.

“He’s like Joe Pavelski,” Canucks general manager Jim Benning said of comparing Boeser to the San Jose Sharks forward. “He’s strong on the puck and has a good release and goes to the areas where goals are scored. He plays a pro style of game already and uses leverage to get to the net. And he has the courage to get to the net.”

Bowser has committed to North Dakota and will be allowed to develop because in White and Schroeder, he saw that process to the NHL is seldom a straight line and sometimes it’s a brick wall. Like any other prospect, there are areas of his game that need attention and improvement. Bigger, stronger and faster. The usual stuff.

“I know it’s not an easy process and I’ve still got to put all the work in to prove to them that this was a good pick,” added Boeser. “I thought my (Combine) interview went well and with the Canucks it was just kind of relaxed and I enjoyed the whole thing.”