Morgan Klimchuk

Playing career

Born in Regina, Saskatchewan, Klimchuk grew up in Calgary, Alberta, and played his minor hockey in the Calgary Buffaloes system. He was the captain of his team in the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League in 2009–10 and led his squad to the final of the Western Canadian Bantam championship, ultimately settling for second place. The Western Hockey League (WHL)'s Regina Pats selected him in the first round, fifth overall, at the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft, and he appeared in five games with the Pats in 2010–11. Klimchuk joined the Pats full-time in 2011–12. He played in 67 games, and his 36 points helped Regina reach the WHL playoffs for the first time since 2008. He was a member of Team Pacific at the 2012 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, finishing second in team scoring with six points in six games, and played with Team Alberta at the 2011 Canada Winter Games.

In his second WHL season, 2012–13, Klimchuk improved to 76 points and finished second in team scoring. He made two appearances with the Canadian national under-18 team. He was a member of the gold medal-winning Canadian team at the 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. Playing on the top line with Sam Reinhart and Connor McDavid, Klimchuk scored eight points to help lead Canada to a gold medal at the 2013 IIHF World U18 Championships.

Playing all roles in Regina, Klimchuk developed into a top prospect for the 2013 NHL Entry Draft and was ranked by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau 25th among North American skaters. He credited the chance to play in all offensive and defensive situations with helping him develop a strong two-way game. The Calgary Flames used the pick they acquired in the Jarome Iginla trade to select Klimchuk in the first round, 28th overall.

On January 2, 2015, Klimchuk was dealt from the Pats to the Brandon Wheat Kings, in a trade that saw Jesse Gabrielle move to the Pats.