50 in 30: #18 Mark Scheifele

Mark Scheifele, C Barrie Colts (OHL)
6-2, 185
Born: March 15, 1993 in Kitchener, Ontario
Shoots: Right

Scouting report:

Strengths: Big frame with plenty of room to grow/add mass. Good skater; a long-strider with impressive power and fluid stride. Will get faster and stronger on his skates as he continues to develop and add lower leg drive. Has a breakaway/separation gear. Adept puckhandler; long stick and maintains control at speed and in tight quarters. Good passer and playmaker. Shields the puck well when in possession- uses his big body to ward off defenders. Smart and creative- just really starting to develop his confidence and make some bigger payoff plays. Good character guy and leader; played well on a poor team and didn't let Barrie's struggles affect his play.

Weaknesses: Lanky and thin- needs a lot of time and dedication in the weight room. Needs to improve his lower leg drive to get stronger on his skates- can be knocked easily off stride. Shot is average- needs to improve release, power, accuracy, but should come as he builds his upper body and continues to refine his overall game.

Multimedia:

Scheifele highlights vs Kingston, Feb. 2011 (Rogers Sportsnet TV)

Scheifele at NHL Draft Combine (Exclusive B2011DW video)
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Style compares to: Derick Brassard

Draft prediction: One player whose stock has shot up after a consistently good offensive year on a poor team, followed by a breakout performance for Team Canada at the Under-18s. Scheifele could go anywhere around the 20th selection and might even break into the top-15 if a team sees enough in his upside. Seen in some circles as more of a safe pick in that even if he doesn't reach the kind of potential he showed off in flashes. With his size and character should be able to contribute in the NHL on any line, even as a role player.

Projection: Second- or Third-line center with 25+ goal upside and some bite to his game. Smart two-way player with the size and moxie to be a coveted prospect on draft day. Developmental curve seems to be headed straight up.

Background: Last name pronounced SHY-flee. A native of Kitchener, Ontario. Originally drafted in the OHL by the Saginaw Spirit before Barrie acquired his rights. Reported to Barrie after initially committing to Cornell University and being on track to go the NCAA route. Lacrosse player who can make circus-like moves with the puck on his stick as seen during CHL Top Prospects Game skills competition. Scored a highlight reel breakaway shorthanded goal against Team Finland during the 2011 World Under-18 Championships. Central Scouting's 16th-ranked North American. Favorite NHL team growing up: Detroit Red Wings NHL player he likes to pattern his game after: Pavel Datsyuk Played in Barrie for former 1st overall NHL pick and Hockey Hall of Famer Dale Hawerchuk.

If Scheifele had his own soundtrack it would be: "Gear Jammer"- George Thorogood


Quotable:

“Mark protects the puck very well and will take it to the net while fighting through checks. He's got a great work ethic. His Barrie Colts have struggled this season and he has been relied upon to provide offense. He sees the ice very well and his playmaking ability is very good. He gets back quickly and works hard defensively."-
NHL Central Scouting's Chris Edwards to NHL.com, Apr-May, 2011

"The opportunity was there for him (this season) and he ran with it. . . . He's great. Everybody loves being around Scheif, he comes in smiling every day, can't wait to get on the ice. That's infectious to everybody. And that's how you want it to be."- Barrie head coach Dale Hawerchuk to NHL.com, Apr-May, 2011

"Young colt lived up to his Barrie namesake with a very good offensive performance. Scored one of the more memorable goals of anyone in the tourney against Finland when he read a bungled pass, split the defense, fought off a hook from behind and still managed to put the puck in the net with a nice backhand deke. 6-3 guys don't typically move the way he does with that ability to separate, so there is a lot of raw material to work with."- Bruins 2011 Draft Watch, April 2011

"I like his size and hands, plus he's a smart kid. He was a bit rough early in the year, but progressed as the season went on. I think he's more of a safe pick, but he had a strong (Under-18) and may have done enough to crack the top-20 with that performance."- NHL scout to B2011DW, April 2011

The scoop:

Buzzing the Net Draft Tracker: 5 Questions for Mark Scheifele

B2011DW OHL End of Season Roundup