TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Valentin Zykov is finally getting his fresh start with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Things never clicked for the Russian prospect after the Los Angeles Kings drafted him in the second round (37th overall) in 2013. He had a strong finish to his QMJHL career with Baie-Comeau Drakkar and then the Gatineau Olympiques, but had to miss extended time for injury.

He turned pro last season season with the Ontario Reign and was given a minimal role on a team that was bigger and physically out-muscled other AHL teams. Zykov then dealt with another injury, and while he was injured he was traded to Carolina along with a conditional fifth-round pick for Kris Versteeg — low-risk, potentially high-reward deal for Carolina.

Because of the aforementioned injury he didn’t make his debut with the Charlotte Checkers until the final two games of the regular season, and at that time he was still feeling the aftereffects and struggled in the two-game cameo.

With all that considered, Zykov is hitting the reset button on his career for the 2016-17 campaign that started this weekend at the Traverse City Prospects Camp here in Northern Michigan.

It’s a fresh start on the ice, where Zykov scored in Carolina’s 4-2 win against the Minnesota Wild on Saturday, and off the ice where he’s getting to know his future teammates.

“It’s very nice to get to know all the guys in the organization and get used to all that,” Zykov said. “I’m using every moment to get better for main camp.”

Zykov said he doesn’t have any lingering effects from the injury, and the speed of the games in Traverse City will help him at the Hurricanes full camp next week. Zykov is expected to spend this season in the AHL with Charlotte, but he’s been told there is an opportunity to earn an NHL roster spot out of training camp.

Zykov’s raw talent is undeniable.

He doesn’t have the most explosive initial step, but he’s a strong skater that posses the puck well and is creative around the net. He has a quick release and makes the smart pass when it’s available.

Heck, before he was drafted in 2013 Zykov was ranked third in Central Scouting’s initial rankings behind Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin — not bad company.

Now the 21-year-old just has to sharpen those tools on his path to an NHL roster spot. There haven’t been any issues in Traverse City, but Zykov has to get better defensively and he needs to get comfortable in a system whether it’s in Charlotte or Carolina.

His comfort level has been good in Traverse City and he’s worked well with linemates Sergey Tolchinsky and Lucas Wallmark. They’ve helped the Hurricanes prospects win both games so far in the tournament, including an overtime win against the New York Rangers, and it could be a trio Charlotte coach Ulf Samuelsson keeps together once the AHL season begins — if Zykov doesn’t make the NHL roster.

“Haven’t talked about that much,” Zykov said. “Right now I just try to show my best.”