Mark Scheifele, C, 6’3, 175, Barrie

40gm/10g/35a/45pts/-13+-/16pim

Drafted 134th overall by Saginaw in the ohl draft

By Ian Esplen

Growing up in the Kitchener Minor Hockey Association, not much was thought of Mark Scheifele. After all, at 15 he was not overly big, weighing only 150 pounds. His skill and speed were good, but not seen as great, by the scouts. Then there was also the college hockey cloud that hung over his head, with most people thinking he would go that route.

A lot has changed for Scheifele in the past two years. He has grown to be 6”3 175 pounds now, with lots of room left to fill out his frame. His skill has improved, and he is now on the same level as any player in his draft class. His skating is now considered quit good, for a player of his size. He is also second on a re-building Barrie Colts team in scoring, with 45 points this season.

So what caused the change in Scheifele? First of all, the trade of his rights from Saginaw to Barrie, caused him to think about whether he want to except a scholarship to Cornell, or join a re-building Barrie team. He decided to join Coach Dale Hawerchuk in Barrie, where he would get a chance right away to play in their top 6, and learn from an NHL great in Hawerchuk. This increase in playing time and responsibility gave Scheifele the opportunity to show case his talents.

Second, he worked his tail off in the gym during the offseason, getting stronger and filling out his frame. Scheifele has used his newly found size, to be better in the corners and with board battles. While he still has some work to do with his stopping and starting, he moves up and down the ice very well for a big man. Hawerchuk describes Scheifele as a “committed hockey player on and off the ice. He works hard all the time, both during the games and during practice and workouts” (Menard). Hawerchuk also said, “ He’s a sharp kid and he wants it”(Menard).

Third, he has made the most of his playing time. “Hawerchuk explained that Scheifele’s mental composure and commitment to improving are two factors that have allowed him to embrace the opportunity given to him, and run with it”(Menard). He has used his natural on ice vision to put up 45 points in 40 games. His 35 assists this season, is currently tops in the OHL for rookies. He has spent most of the season on the colts top power play unit, and has been their best player this season.

Forth, he started setting new goals for himself. One of his goals this season was to be as good in the OHL as he was last year in Jr B, a goal he is currently living up to. Scheifele say’s “I want to always play my best every game and never take a game off. On the numerical side, in my mind one of my goals is to have a point a game,” he said. “I’m really going to strive to do that and be up there in rookie scoring, so I’m always going to strive to get more goals. I make goals every month and I set some goals at the beginning of the year”(Menard).

While Scheifele tries to pattern his games after Pavel Datsyk, by playing a complete game at both ends of the rink, he draws comparisons to Joe Thornton because of his size, soft hands and vision.

According to Scheifele, “right now I’m working on a lot of little things -- my shot, my faceoffs, stopping and starting, giving and going. Just playing a game that’ll work for me and allow me to be consistent,” Scheifele said. “I also am working on developing a better, more-rounded game, because I’ve always wanted to do that. I don’t want to just be good on defense or just be good on offense, but I really want to be a more well-rounded player.”(Menard).

Scheifele is a smart kid with great work ethic who should be able to play pro as either a first line centre, or winger one day. His assets are his size, skating (pretty good for 6”3), vision, passing, intelligence and work ethic. His only real flaws are he could play for physical, and he has to get stronger. The later flaw should work its self out with time. He could be the Ryan Johansen of this year’s draft. A player who was small in his bantam draft year that grew dramatically both physically and developmentally NHL comparison- Joe Thornton type

Work cited- http://www.hockeysfu...st_path_to_nhl/