Jamie Crooks has only been in the Western Hockey League for a handful of games, but already he’s learning some valuable lessons.

Major junior hockey is a roller coaster — situations can change at a moment’s notice and nothing can be taken for granted.

The 17-year-old had just 14 WHL games under his belt when he was dealt to the Bruins for Randy McNaught.

Lesson one. Anyone can be traded at any time.

“I went to practice that day (Oct. 7) not really expecting anything, and then I was called into the coach’s office,” Crooks said. “They told me I’d been traded to Chilliwack. It was my first time being traded, and it was different. It’s hard to say goodbye, but at the same time it’s a new beginning.”

Coming over with an offensively oriented skill-set, Crooks was immediately inserted into the top six, working alongside Kevin Sundher and Dylen McKinlay.

In his second game with Chilliwack, the Alberta native scored once and added an assist, providing the offensive spark that general manager Marc Habscheid envisioned.

Playing for the Lloydminster-based Tanroc Bobcats in the Alberta Midget AAA Hockey League, Crooks led the circuit last year with 39 goals and 71 points in 33 games. Getting Crooks, plus a conditional draft pick, for McNaught may turn out to be a steal.

“He certainly came here highly regarded because of what he did at the midget AAA level,” Habscheid said. “He just has a knack for scoring, and that’s not something you can teach. He’s a prospect with huge upside.”

He’s also a player with work to do. On the day Crooks was acquired, Habscheid talked about his fitness level, and the need to improve his conditioning.

And in his third game, against the Vancouver Giants, Crooks found himself bumped down to the fourth line, drawing Habscheid’s wrath for his uninspired play.

“It’s pretty simple.” He’s got to work, and sometimes he goes through the motions,” Habscheid said afterwards. “He’s talented, but with skill you’ve got to have will. He didn’t want to work, so he didn’t play.”

Going from big fish in midget to little fish in the WHL is a hit to the ego, and getting knocked down to the fourth line stings even more, but Crooks knows every player has to earn his stripes.

Restored to his second line spot for last Wednesday’s game against Lethbridge, Crooks rebounded nicely, picking up an assist on the only goal in a 1-0 win.

“If I keep working hard every day, I’ll get to where Marc wants me to be,” Crooks said. “I know they want me to produce offence, and I need to earn the icetime I need to put up some points.”

Any offence Crooks can provide would be greatly appreciated as the Bruins head north to face their B.C. division rivals in Prince George.

The Cougars have owned the head to head matchups over the last year, taking eight of the last nine meetings.

The Cougars offence is led by San Jose Sharks prospect Marek Viedensky, who saves some of his best efforts for Chilliwack.

The biggest Bruin killer is 17-year-old Brett Connolly, who had a hat-trick in a 7-6 win Sept. 26, and has 10 goals in nine career games against Chilliwack. Prince George’s weakness is in keeping pucks out of its own net.

Both James Priestner and Michael Salmon have struggled in goal this season behind a defensive corps that makes a lot of youthful mistakes.

Catch a full wrapup of the weekend games in the Tuesday Chilliwack Progress sports section.