Mark McNeill
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Birthday:
1993-02-22 |
Position:
C |
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Eligible for draft:
2011 |
Shoots:
Right |
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Drafted:
2011 |
Height:
6-2 |
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Acquired:
1st round (18th overall), 2011 |
Weight:
210 lbs. |
Prospect Talent Score
Probability of Success
- C
History
2007-08: Chosen in the first round, 5th overall, of the 2008 WHL Bantam Draft by the Prince Albert Raiders.
2008-09: Spent most of the season with the SSAC Athletics Midget AAA team. In 33 games for that team, McNeill scored 21 goals and 18 assists for 39 points. McNeill also received his first taste of WHL action as he played in 4 games for the Raiders, picking up no points in those games.
2009-10: In his WHL rookie season, McNeill appeared in 68 games for Prince Albert. He scored 9 goals and added 15 assists for 24 points. McNeill also played for Team Pacific at the 2010 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, scoring 1 goal and adding 2 assists for 3 points in 5 games.
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. McNeill played for Canada at the 2011 U-18 World Junior Championship, picking up 6 assists in 7 games. McNeill also played for Team Cherry at the 2011 CHL Home Hardware Top Prospects Game.
2011-12: McNeill signed a three-year entry-level contract with Chicago in January 2012 and made his pro hockey debut with the Blackhawks' AHL affiliate Rockford following his third season with the WHL's Prince Albert Raiders. He skated in seven games for the IceHogs and was minus-two with no points and 12 penalty minutes. In 69 games for Prince Albert he was the Raiders' second-leading scorer with 31 goals and 40 assists and was minus-10 with 48 penalty minutes. Prince Albert finished last in the East Division and had the WHL's worst record; winning 21 games.
Talent Analysis
If there is a true power forward among the top WHL prospects, it's most certainly Mark McNeill. When he is at his best, his presence makes opponents tentative. However, there is a potential issue here with his overall consistency. McNeill has shown that he can be more than just a one-dimensional player as he has been used both on the power play and penalty-killing units. McNeill has the size and hands to be an effective offensive performer, but he needs to work on his focus.
Future
An extended look at Blackhawks' training camp is likely for McNeill, but he will most likely end up back in Prince Albert for his final WHL season with the goal of improving his consistency on the scoresheet while continuing to provide leadership in all situations. Although he plays a responsible, steady game at center, McNeill could ultimately end up at right wing in the pros.
