Moose Jaw's Reece Newkirk received his first taste of the Western Hockey League this season. Newkirk's rookie campaign came to an end earlier this month when the Portland Winterhawks were eliminated in the second round of the WHL Playoffs.

Over the course of 58 games during the regular season, Newkirk found out what it takes to compete at the major junior level.

"My improvement this year was really high, I had great coaches, great teammates and that really helps out," said Newkirk on his first season with the Winterhawks.

Newkirk finished the regular season with eight goals and 11 points. Six of his eight goals came after the calendar turned to February, starting with his first career multi-point game on Feb. 2 when he scored a pair of goals.

The Winterhawks featured four NHL first round picks, including Cody Glass and Keiffer Bellows up front, and Newkirk said he was able to learn a lot from them about what it takes to be a professional.

"They're really good role models and what they're doing on the ice is what I hope to be doing in a couple of years, so I definitely look up to them and it was great to have them along," said Newkirk.

With 58 regular season and 12 playoff games under his belt, Newkirk said he had a good idea of what he's going to need to work on now over the offseason.

"My first couple of games there from preseason was hard and then you jump into the regular season, but then that regular season jump to playoffs is huge," said Newkirk.

"The key thing is that I feel like I belong there."

The WHL Playoffs continue this weekend with Game 5 of both the Eastern and Western Conference Final. Coming up next week, the WHL will come together for the annual awards ceremony on Wednesday and then the 2018 Bantam Draft on Thursday in Red Deer.