Mark McNeill, the NHL Draft’s latest bloomer
Entering the 2010-11 regular season, Mark McNeill wasn’t even on the radar as a potential first-round draft pick for the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
In fact, the Prince Albert Raiders center wasn’t even listed on Central Scouting’s preliminary rankings of the top 25 North American skaters last November. He was absent from International Scouting Services’ October, 2010 top 30 list as well.
As the major junior hockey season progressed, however, scouts began to take notice of McNeill’s dramatically improved play. The Edmonton, Alberta product hurdled eight spots (22nd to 14th) between the mid-term report and final rankings released by Central Scouting.
His 19 points in nine games in the month of March surely had something to do with the late-season rankings surge.
“He’s really composed and has a real pro-style game. He has a nice touch, can dish, and has nice, soft passes. His on-ice awareness is very good and he’s paid attention to detail at both ends of the rink,” said NHL Central Scouting’s Blair MacDonald on NHL.com.
It’s hard to ignore McNeill’s significant improvement in offensive production in his third year in the Western Hockey League. He more than tripled his sophomore output of nine goals and 15 helpers with 32 goals and a team-high 49 assists during a terrific 2010-11 campaign that featured 24 multi-point performances.
A humble McNeill said his ascension in the prospect ranks is due largely to his coaches and teammates.
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“I attribute [my rise] to work ethic, to my coaches believing in me and playing me in all situations and to having great linemates all season,” said McNeill in an interview with The Good Point.
The relentless Raider praised right-winger Brandon Herrod, a 19-year-old in his fourth year with the club, for aiding in his development.
“He’s got great work ethic and he’s one of our leaders on and off the ice,” said McNeill of Herrod. “I really look up to him.”
Prince Albert’s first line — comprised of McNeill, Herrod and Todd Fiddler — produced 83 goals and 104 assists, helping the Raiders to its first playoff appearance since 2006-07. McNeill played on the penalty-kill, was the set-up man on the power-play and often served as the shutdown center for the Raiders.
“He’s a powerful skater and has great hockey sense. He’s got very good basic skills and he’s got the ability to be a real tough person to play against,” Prince Albert head coach and general manager Bruno Campese told NHL.com.
The 6’2″, 210-pounder listed Anaheim Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf as the player he models his game after. On the ice one can see the similarities between the pair, as both are big, right handed shooting centres that play a physical brand of hockey.
“I pick aspects of [Getzlaf’s] game and try to bring them to the ice,” McNeill said. “I try to be a power forward, to play solid at both ends and to play with an edge; anything to help my team.”
The 1993-born forward was rewarded for his outstanding season in the WHL with a spot on Canada’s U-18 squad at the 2011 World Championships in April. While Canada finished a disappointing fourth in the tournament, McNeill tallied a respectable six assists in seven games.
“I got chills putting on that jersey for the first time,” said McNeill of his chance to represent his country. “It was a great experience.”
McNeill is one of a small number of Raider players to reach elite prospect status in recent years. Prince Albert has struggled over the past decade in the WHL’s East Division and has, unsurprisingly, failed to develop a bevy of top-level prospects.
During the golden era of Raiders’ hockey in the mid to late 1980s — in which Prince Albert won its only Memorial Cup in 1985 — the team produced six first-round draft picks, including Mike Modano, Dave Manson and Pat Elynuik.
McNeill, projected to go in the middle of the first round, would be the first Raider to be selected among the top 30 since 2004 when Montreal drafted Kyle Chipchura 18th overall.
“It will be a very special day,” said McNeill of his expectations for the upcoming draft. “But being selected is just the beginning and after that is where the real work starts.”
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Check out more of The Good Point’s 2011 NHL Entry Draft Prospects Series.
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