Mark McNeill

I wanted to start posting some materials on various prospects for the 2011. Mark McNeill is intriguing because he is a player on the rise who fits one of the Hurricanes most pressing needs: a Ryan Getzlaf type of highly skilled, fast, big, hitting power forward.  Here are some articles and video links I found for him.

6'2"  210 lbs; shoots right-handed

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/6381

HOCKEYS FUTURE: 

2010-11: In 70 games for the Raiders, McNeill scored 32 goals and added 49 assists for 81 points while adding 58 penalty minutes. In 6 playoff games for the Raiders, McNeill scored 2 goals and added 3 assists for 5 points.

http://whl-from-above.blogspot.com/2010/09/skys-limit-for-mark-mcneill.html

WHL FROM ABOVE:

At 17 years old, he already has a man's body. He stands 6'1.5 and weighs in at just under 210 pounds. And he shows that size on the ice. He likes to play physical hockey and is a great forechecker. He is also a right handed shot as a centre, something many teams covet as a bit of a rare commodity.

http://www.thehockeynews.com/article...n-McNeill.html

THE HOCKEY NEWS

"It was a huge off-season for me," said the 6-foot-2, 210-pound Edmonton native. "I worked out five days a week for two-and-a-half to three hours with Barry Butt of Premier Strength."

Butt's NHL clients include Jason Chimera and Jay Bouwmeester, which gave McNeill a chance to see what the pros do. He also skated with NHL and American League pros every Tuesday.

http://bruins2011draftwatch.blogspot...oking-for.html

BRUINS DRAFT WATCH

The 6-2, 210-pound right-shooting center was 85th overall in Red Line Report's September issue, and I think he's likely going to be a riser if he can keep the production going.

YAHOO DRAFT TRACKE 5 QUESTIONS WITH MARK MCNEIL

http://sports.yahoo.com/juniorhockey...rhockey-310225

PRINCE ALBERT DAILY HERALD

http://www.paherald.sk.ca/Sports/Hoc...-out-McNeill/1

and 22 points in 19 games, and he isn't afraid to mix it up physically.

McNeill fought in authoritative fashion Friday night when he liberally swung right-handers against Swift Current rookie Shea Howorko, who had taken a hit from Andrew Herle that ignited last-minute fisticuffs in the Broncos' 5-1 victory.

Prince Albert's lone NHL-drafted player is defenceman Ryan Button, a third-round pick of the Boston Bruins in 2009.

"He's been playing good," Button, also of Edmonton, said of McNeill. "Definitely, his point total has been up (from 24 points in 68 games last season).

"I've talked to Mark a little bit, personally, about what he has to do to get to that next level. At this level, he's a guy that could put up a lot of points. At the next level, I don't think that's going to be him. He's going to be an in-your-face, power forward kind of guy, and the quicker he gets to that role, the better off he'll be.

"But he's a huge guy. He's incredibly strong for his age. So, the quicker we get him battling in front of the net and in the corners and kind of getting a little dirty, I think he'll become a really special player."

YOUTUBE

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueyPvuH9F-8

www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWk24cdqJU4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdBjXmguMyE&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4ZkFo5V36k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhiY0gQKFL8&feature=related

MYNHLDRAFT.COM SCOUTING REPORT

http://www.mynhldraft.com/2011/NHL-Draft-Profiles/Mark-McNeill

He is at his most dangerous in close quarters to the opposing goaltender using his strength and quick hands to put points in the net. He does not look to always carry the puck himself but instead uses his on ice ability to see the play developing to see the best possible pass to move the puck quickly. He takes the team game to a higher level with the raiders, as the many Raiders Fan Zone polls can attest to. A strong physical and a strong skater definitely rates him high in the upcoming draft as a centre with size and skill, and most teams looking for that rare combination.

MSG

http://mma.msg.com/article/01FEber3fG30E

Ask someone to name the best power forwards in the NHL right now, and names on the list likely would include Rick Nash, Ryan Getzlaf and Mike Richards. Prince Albert Raiders center Mark McNeill might be added to that list in the coming years. Ranked... Full Article at National Hockey league | NHL.com