CATCHING UP WITH RAIDERS’ STAR McNEILL
Mark McNeill certainly enjoyed a summer to remember.
After finishing off an impressive sophomore campaign for the Prince Albert Raiders, the 18-year-old from Edmonton, AB, headed off to the NHL’s scouting combine in Toronto, ON, where he was among the top players eligible for the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
Then came Draft day on June 24th in Minnesota where McNeill heard his name called in the first round when the Chicago Blackhawks selected him with the 18th overall pick.
To close out the summer, McNeill headed off to his first NHL training camp with the Blackhawks where he took part in a rookie tournament.
Now back in Prince Albert, SK, McNeill’s focus returns to the Raiders, where he’ll be counted on to play a big role in helping the team make a push up the Eastern Conference standings. Having scored 32 goals and 81 points in 70 games last season, McNeill knows he will have to have another productive season on the ice if the Raiders are to enjoy a successful campaign.
CATCHING UP WITH…MARK MCNEILL
On his NHL Draft Day experience…
“Leading up to the draft, it was pretty nerve-wracking. I went (to Minnesota) with my family, so that helped me a lot. On draft day, you really don’t know what to expect. You don’t know when or if you’re gonna get called. To get chosen by the Blackhawks, an Original Six team, was amazing. They are a team with a lot of good players, they have so much history, and they are a team I followed a lot over the years.”
On attending his first NHL training camp…
“It was pretty exciting. Getting to play in the rookie tournament in Oshawa was a lot of fun and a good experience. Then, coming to the main camp and skating with guys like Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane was really great. These are guys I looked up to when growing up, and getting to skate with them was such a great experience. I learned a lot just being there and being around guys who play in the NHL.”
On playing with NHL players…
“First off, it’s a lot faster and the guys are bigger and more skilled. It takes a bit of time to adjust, but I felt pretty good. In some ways, it’s easier to play at that level because the guys are so skilled and the passes are accurate. If you’re in position on the ice, they will find you.”
On this season’s edition of the Raiders…
“We took a step forward by getting to the playoffs last year, which was good. I think that, every year, we need to set the bar a little higher to keep getting better. This season, I think we can build on what we had going last year. We have a good group of guys here who now have that taste of the playoffs, so I think we can take the step forward and have a better year. We have a lot of young guys here who are looking to take a step forward this season. A guy like Harrison Ruopp will get the chance to wear a letter this season, so he’ll be able to show some leadership and be a key player for us. Other young guys like Mike Winther have had great pre-seasons, by all accounts, so we expect a lot of guys to step up and be bigger parts to the team this season.”
On his expectations for this season…
“Obviously, it’s a big year for me. I know, as one of the older guys, I need to lead by example on the ice and help show the younger guys what they need to do to play in this League. I want to be a good leader and play a bigger role on the team, whether it’s being an offensive contributor or just working hard out there. I know I need to make sure I keep up a strong work ethic, and be a guy who can contribute in all areas of the game. I have expectations, in terms of personal goals, but my main focus is to help the team improve and win.”
Jesse Watts
whl.ca
