Mark Stone
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Birthday:
1992-05-13 |
Position:
RW |
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Eligible for draft:
2010 |
Shoots:
Right |
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Drafted:
2010 |
Height:
6-2 |
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Acquired:
6th round (178th overall), 2010 |
Weight:
188 lbs. |
Prospect Talent Score
Probability of Success
- C
History
2006-07: Mark Stone suited up for the Winnipeg Hawks bantam AAA squad in the WMHA as a 5’11", 155-pound center scoring 34 goals and 23 assists in 30 league games. He was drafted by the Brandon Wheat Kings in the fifth round, 92nd overall in the 2007 WHL Bantam Draft.
2007-08: Moving up to the midget ranks, Stone joined the Winnipeg Thrashers Midget AAA team in the MMHL. He led them to a 6-1 record in the 2008 Telus Cup before losing to the Sudbury Wolves in the final. Along the way he received the Top Scorer award after his eight-goal, five-assist output in seven tournament games which followed a stellar 24 goal, 32 assist regular season in 40 MMHL league games.
2008-09: As a 16-year-old Stone made the Brandon Wheat Kings roster contributing 17 goals and 22 assists in 56 regular season games and producing another goal and three assists in the powerhouse Wheat Kings’ playoff run which ended in the third round of the WHL playoffs. Given the Wheat Kings had a veteran laden roster led by future first-round NHL picks Brayden Schenn and Scott Glennie, he made a good impact as a rookie.
2009-10: Stone’s second WHL season was a trying one as he missed time at the beginning of the season with a broken thumb and then a few weeks near the end after suffering a concussion in a vicious fight with Colten Teubert of the Regina Pats. Although he was still able to manage 11 goals and 17 assists in the 39 regular season games he suited up for, he was looking to produce more in his NHL draft eligible year. Stone added one goal and three assists for the Wheat Kings’ who again made it to the third round of the WHL playoffs with their stacked roster before being eliminated. As hosts Brandon advanced to the Memorial Cup Finals losing to the champion Windsor Spitfires with Stone held off the score sheet in the tournament except for one fight.
2010-11: The growing 18-year-old power winger, now 6’3 200 pounds, capped off a remarkable season where earned team MVP honours, finished third in WHL scoring with 37 goals and 106 points and was named to the Eastern Conference First All-Star Team. In the post-season, the alternate team captain added another goal and nine assists in just six games before his Wheat Kings were eliminated. Stone earned an invite to the Team Canada Summer Development Camp.
2011-12: Stone made his NHL debut during the NHL playoffs – assisting on Jason Spezza's goal in a 2-0 win over the New York Rangers in Game 5 in his only appearance – following a dominant junior hockey season that saw him lead the WHL in plus/minus (plus-45) and lead Canada in scoring at the 2012 U20 World Junior Championship. Stone scored 41 goals, including 16 on the power play, and had 82 assists in 66 games to lead Brandon in scoring. The Wheat Kings finished second in the East Division and defeated Calgary in a first round playoff series before being swept by eventual WHL champion Edmonton. Stone scored 2 goals with 4 assists and was plus-three in eight playoff games. Skating for bronze medal-winning Canada at the WJC, he score 7 goals with 3 assists and was plus-10 in six games.
Talent Analysis
The size and hands are there as is the willingness to work the boards and get to the dirty areas. In the offensive end he has good instincts, an underrated shot and impressive passing skills. His hockey IQ is way up there and his anticipation allows him to get in good position on both ends of the ice. The one noticeable weakness is his choppy stride which he’s working on and has spent time with the Ottawa skating coach improving his foot-speed. Smart on the ice and well-spoken off of it, Stone has the talent, intensity and work ethic to get himself to the NHL in time.
Future
Stone has started his final WHL season where he left off the last one – on fire, as he leads the WHL in scoring, was recently names CHL player-of-the-week and will be expected to make a serious push for a spot on the Team Canada WJHC entry this winter. Recently signed to a three-year NHL entry level contract, the expectation is for him to play the 2012-13 season in Binghamton.
