Griffin Reinhart hones in on NHL Draft
Not only does Griffin Reinhart boast one of the best names in Major Junior hockey, the probable first-rounder of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft also lays claim to one of the finest pedigrees among future NHLers today.
The tradition and passion inherent with an NHL family like Reinhart’s only adds to the 17-year-old’s 6’4”, 208-pound frame, not to mention his all-around skill that earned him a spot on the Edmonton Oil Kings roster in his WHL rookie season.
Despite serving a five-game suspension for a kneeing incident to start his sophomore year, Reinhart quickly brushed that off and continues to make a name for himself, turning the heads of scouts looking for a bulky, solid, two-way defensemen to draft next summer.
“My suspension at the beginning of the season obviously wasn’t helpful,” Reinhart told The Good Point. “But since I’ve been back I’ve been really focused and I’m feeling pretty confidant out there, so if I just stick to playing my game I think I’ll have a successful year.”
After registering six goals, 19 assists, 36 penalty minutes and a plus-7 rating in 45 games during his rookie campaign, Reinhart seems to have picked up right where he left off to start the 2011-12 season.
In nine games thus far, Reinhart has notched two goals, six points and five penalty minutes, while remaining on the plus side of the puck – something he says the Oil Kings’ coaching staff expects of him.
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“They want me to be a shutdown-type player with an offensive upside; responsible in my own end, but still occasionally jumping into the play and contributing offensively on the power play,” Reinhart said, while also mentioning he models his game around similar players in Shea Weber and Chris Pronger.
“I think I’m an all around player that brings size and strength to the lineup. I can play in key situations, I’ve got a good shot and accurate breakout pass, so I can help produce offense while still being a defense-first player.”
Still, like all other up-and-coming NHL hopefuls, Reinhart recognizes the areas in which he could use some improvement.
“The main thing I’d like to improve is my mobility,” he offered. “Being a bigger player, it’s important to have strong skating, but other than that, just continue working on my overall consistency and playing a balanced game.”
Reinhart’s style and role on the ice is eerily familiar to that of his father, Paul Reinhart – a first-round pick of the Atlanta Flames in 1979, who ended up playing over a decade of NHL hockey as a two-way defenseman for the Atlanta/Calgary Flames and the Vancouver Canucks.
“My dad coached me for most of my minor hockey, and even when he wasn’t my coach, he was still giving me tips and advice which really helped me improve as a player,” the West Vancouver native explained.
Along with his father, Reinhart credits his elder brother, Max (a 2010 Calgary Flames draft pick, currently playing for the WHL’s Kootenay Ice), for helping him through his minor career.
“My brother didn’t really give me advice like my dad did, but he led by example,” he said. “He’s already been through a lot of what I’m going through, so being able to learn from his experience has helped me out a lot as well.”
As a youth, Reinhart always favored his hometown Canucks, but like many, would be willing to drop that attachment should he be drafted by an opposing team.
“Growing up in West Vancouver, I was always a big Canucks fan and I’ve enjoyed watching the many great players that have been with the team over the years,” he said. “But when the draft comes around, I’ll be happy with whichever team selects me.”
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