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WHL: Rookie Klimchuk has big shoes to fill in Regina

There has been no shortage of elite goal scorers making their mark at Regina's Brandt Centre over recent years.

Obviously, the most notable is Jordan Eberle, who moved on to the Edmonton Oilers organization last season. Eberle was dynamite for the Pats, notching 155 goals and 310 points in 254 games throughout his four seasons in Regina.

While Jordan Weal is still playing for the Pats, it's no secret he'll be moving on to the Los Angeles Kings organization next year. Weal is the Pats' best player and go-to goal scorer. He is currently leading the Dub in points with an outstanding 30 goals and 81 points in 48 games.

With Eberle gone and Weal on his way out, one has to wonder who will become the Pats' next superstar forward. The answer to that question seems to be their fifth overall pick of the 2010 bantam draft, Morgan Klimchuk.

Klimchuk has found the back of the net early on in his rookie season. He has scored 12 goals and 27 points throughout 44 games as the Pats' second-line centre. These stats place him third in the Dub in points among 16-year-olds.

"I've been getting good bounces and my teammates have really been helping me out," says Klimchuk. "I also came into the season looking to make an impact right away. I worked out a lot and also took part in a 'crash conditioning' program over the off-season."

The Calgary native's supporting cast can be partially credited for his immediate success. He has munched up major minutes alongside the likes of Chandler Stephenson, Dominik Volek, and Weal.

"My teammates have really helped me out," says Klimchuk. "Guys like Weal have kind of took me under their wing and helped show me how this league works. They've been a great help."

Even though Eberle had Weal and vise versa for two years in Regina, it seems Klimchuk's supporting cast will be superior to that of the two superstars before him.

"Klimchuk will be the Pats' next big-time scorer," says Dan Plaster, play-by-play announcer for the Pats. "But unlike Eberle and Weal, he will have a better supporting cast to help him with Chandler Stephenson, Dominik Volek, and upcoming 15-year-old forward Adam Brooks."

The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Klimchuk has undoubtedly had a smooth start to his major junior hockey career for the most part, but like all rookies, there has been some growing pains. He went six straight games without a point in December. He did, however, follow this scoreless drought by notching three goals and 10 points in his next eight contests.

"Sometimes I just grip the stick too tight or pucks don't bounce my way," says Klimchuk. "But I just keep on working and eventually the pucks start to bounce my way. It's a tough league. There will always be ups and downs.

The Pats currently sit sixth in the Eastern Conference standings with 58 points. They may not be a MasterCard Memorial Cup contender, but they seem to be a team that could make some noise in the post-season. Such a playoff run would be a great opportunity for Klimchuk to show he can be counted on when it really matters.

"I take everything one game at a time, but I definitely hope we can do some damage in the playoffs," says Klimchuk. "It would be a great opportunity to show I can play in big game situations."

Kelly Friesen is a Buzzing the Net columnist for Yahoo! Sports. Follow him on Twitter @KellyFriesen (image credit WHL.ca).