A year after the most serious injury of his career, the Kelowna Rockets are once again getting a chance to appreciate the real Nick Merkley.

With 20 points91裸聊视频攊ncluding eight goals91裸聊视频攊n his last 11 games, the 5-foot-11, 185-pound Calgary native is reaffirming his status as one of the WHL91裸聊视频檚 most skilled and dominant forwards.

Following six months of intensive rehab for a torn ACL in his right knee last February, Merkley had struggled to regain his past form, which included a 90-point season in 2014-15.

But with time, persistence, patience and the help of some skilled line mates, Merkley said he91裸聊视频檚 feeling a lot closer to his normal self.

91裸聊视频淚 don91裸聊视频檛 really know how to describe it, but (coming off) the injury, I just wasn91裸聊视频檛 the same as usual,91裸聊视频� said Merkley, who had 29 points in 39 games prior to his recent hot streak.

91裸聊视频淚 think lately, I91裸聊视频檓 just competing a lot harder, getting on pucks, being aggressive in the zone and creating turnovers,91裸聊视频� he added.

91裸聊视频淧laying with (Calvin Thurkauf and Reid Gardner) has helped me, too. Thurks has been scoring well and that picks everybody up. Things are going well right now.91裸聊视频�

Based on what Jason Smith has observed throughout his long career in the game, the Rockets91裸聊视频� head coach said the challenges Merkley has faced with the extended time off following the injury are not at all unusual.

91裸聊视频淚f you listen to people who have had similar, major injuries, the next year can be a real hard one,91裸聊视频� Smith said. 91裸聊视频淎fter all the rehab and time away, you might be feeling good physically, have energy and jump, but it takes time to get back to game speed. Your reaction time might be off, and to be able react quickly and instinctively is so important.91裸聊视频�

And from what Smith has seen over the last three to four weeks, the Arizona Coyotes91裸聊视频� prospect looks to have his game pretty much back on track.

91裸聊视频淣ow Nick is back to the point where he91裸聊视频檚 comfortable making plays,91裸聊视频� Smith said. 91裸聊视频淭he big thing is his vision, he91裸聊视频檚 tapping into those natural skills where it91裸聊视频檚 all becoming second-nature again. He91裸聊视频檚 one of those players that have the knack, to be able to see things ahead of the pace.

91裸聊视频淗e91裸聊视频檚 also working hard at becoming a more complete player and that91裸聊视频檚 helped, too.91裸聊视频�

After being cut from Canada91裸聊视频檚 national junior team in December for the second year in a row, Merkley admits his wasn91裸聊视频檛 in the best head space midway through the season. In the long run, Merkley said the rejection simply served as motivation.

91裸聊视频淚t was tough mentally, you obviously want to take advantage of those opportunities,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淚t took some time, but I had to bounce back. I used it as fuel to do better and get back to playing the way I can.91裸聊视频�

And no one is happier to see his return to form than the Rockets who91裸聊视频攖hanks in large part to Merkley91裸聊视频攈ave won seven of their last nine games and are in the process of trying to chase down both the Prince George Cougars and Kamloops Blazers in the B.C. Division.

The Rockets (34-20-5-0) will host the Edmonton Oil Kings tonight. Face-off at Prospera Place is 7:05 p.m.

Kelowna will then hit the road for three games in three nights this weekend91裸聊视频擣riday in Kamloops, Saturday in Seattle and Sunday in Spokane.