Michael Neal

Hometown:

Whitby Ontario

Currently Playing In:

Pro

Birthday:

1989-04-03
Position:

LW
Eligible for draft:

2007
Shoots:

Left
Drafted:

2007
Height:

6-2
Acquired:

5th round (149th overall), 2007
Weight:

187 lbs.
Prospect Talent Score
3.0

About Prospect Talent Score and Probability of Success»

Probability of Success
  • B

History

The younger brother of Stars prospect James Neal, Michael Neal possesses some of the same attributes as his older brother.

2006-07: He did not post great numbers in his second OHL season, scoring only four goals on his way to eight points in 52 games played. Part of the lack of production by Neal is a result of playing on a very talented and deep Belleville Bulls team.

2007-08: Missed the entire regular season with a knee injury.  Returned for the playoffs, but went pointless in seven games.

2008-09: Neal split time between the Belleville Bulls(OHL) and Sarnia Sting(OHL). He went pointless in 3 games with the Bulls, but scored 9 goals and added 12 assists in 63 games with Sarnia.

2009-10: Neal turned pro, splitting time with the Idaho Steelheads(ECHL) and Texas Stars(AHL). In 6 games with the Stars, Neal went pointless. In 57 games with Idaho, Neal scored 5 goals and added 10 assists.

2010-11: For the second straight season, Neal spent most of his time in the ECHL.  He tied his previous year’s total of 15 points in 2010-11.  He did notch his first career AHL point during his 16 games in the AHL – totaling three goals in all.  He was held scoreless in eight ECHL postseason games.

 

Talent Analysis

Neal is a physically imposing forward like his older brother, James.  His skating is above average for a player his size and he does his best work along the boards.  Plays a clean and fairly industrious game.  Craves physical play.  Has a tremendous off-ice work ethic and keeps himself in tiptop shape.  Doesn’t possess any sort of mesmerizing talent and is still very raw.  Lost a crucial year of development due to a knee injury that sidelined him for an entire season.  Will have to overcome a lot to be considered a legitimate NHL prospect.  Needs to find a niche and become exceptional at it in order to become a valuable asset to his team.

 

Future

Appears to be a fringe AHL player at this point and may spend another year in the ECHL while competing for AHL call-ups.

 

Steve won’t get Passed by Anymore

by pbadmin
on

When Steve Passmore, the native of Thunder Bay Ontario, was drafted he was considered a longshot prospect at the time. He was selected in the ninth round by the Quebec Nordiques, 196th overall, in the 1992 entry draft. His size and lack of technique had been his downfall throughut his junior career. Despite his lack of size and technique, however, Passmore played spectacular and was named a first team All-Star in the WHL the next two seasons (1992-93, 1993-94). In the 1993-94 campaign he led his Kamloops Blazers team to the Memorial Cup. Before ever playing in an NHL game Passmore was involved in a trade deadline deal on March 21st, 1994 which saw Brad Werenka go to Quebec from Edmonton. Passmore was now Edmonton Oiler property, but still the consensus was he would need grooming in the AHL.
Read more»

2000 Draft Profiles from the OHL (PART 1 of 2)

by pbadmin
on

Hockey will begin a new era next year and what better way to bring in a new millenium
than with a fresh young group of talented players, especially from the OHL. The OHL is
represented very strongly in the 2000 draft. The OHL has a mix of fine young defenseman to go
along with some outstanding forwards. Here is a profile on the top youngsters from the OHL
looking to make it big in the 2000 NHL draft.


BRAD BOYES


Height/Weight: 6’0 168

Position: Center

Birthdate: April 17, 1982
Mississauga, Ontario

Current stats: 54 points in 51 games in Erie

  • Member of Ontario U-17 team
  • Had 77 points in 44 games with Mississauga Bantams

    HF Comments: Erie Otter’s young sniper Brad Boyes is currently having a fantastic season with the
    Otters as a 16 year old, and has also earned himself a spot on Ontario’s Under 17 team. His
    excellent vision and ability to make a play out of anything has made him one of the most
    dangerous players in the OHL in the offensive zone. Sounds too good to be true? Boyes has some
    weaknesses simply because of his inexperience. His skating will need to improve in order for him
    to dominate on both ends of the ice. The native of Mississauga has already been mentioned as a
    ‘magician with the puck.’


    NIKITA ALEXEEV

    Read more»

    • The AJHL 2000 Draft Center

    by Marc Ciampa
    on

    Players eligible for the 2000 Draft currently in the AJHL: 


    PLAYER         TEAM       D.O.B.     HT.   WT. POS. S GP  G  A PTS PIM 
    MATTHEW HUNTER Bonnyville 08-Feb-82 5'10" 160   F   L 48 12 14  26  25

    Just now coming into form. Was a large reason why Bonnyville surged to
    make the playoffs in the last month of the season. Had several multiple
    goal and multiple point games over the final few weeks of the year. Not
    property of any WHL club and may have to go the Dany Heatly/Krys Kolanos
    route. That is, continue on in the AJHL and hope you get noticed by the
    scouts. (Heatly and Kolanos are rated 103 and 105 respectively in the
    ’99 draft).


    ALTON JACKSON  Bonnyville 05-Aug-82 6' 1" 192   D   R 40  5 14  19  64

    Property of Medicine Hat Tigers. Ninth round selection in the Bantam
    Draft, but may turn out to be a steal. He put up a fair number of points
    this year with the Pontiacs given his age and limited ice time. If he
    can grow another couple inches I see him making an impact in the future.
    Could be a late round steal in the 2000 Draft.


    ADRIAN FOSTER  Calgary C  15-Jan-82 6' 1" 200   C   L 18 15 17  32  18

    Property of the Saskatoon Blades. Did not play often for the Canucks but
    put up huge numbers when he did. He’ll need to have a big season next Read more»

    Flyers Swept by Blackhawks

    by pbadmin
    on

    The Thunder Bay Flyers dropped both games in a crucial weekend homestand against the Waterloo Blackhawks. Two wins would have more or less guaranteed a playoff spot. Now the Flyers need to upset either the USA Under 18 or the Omaha Lancers in the final two series of the year. Despite the largest crowd of the at 2,704 the Flyers played uninspirted Saturday afternoon and dropped the game by a score of 2-1. The Flyers came out flat every period and only played about 20 minutes of the game. Thunder Bay Midget King Affiliate Tyler Bruno scored the Flyers only goal. Corey Macheran made 28 saves in the Flyers net. Sunday afternoon was almost identical to Saturday with the Flyers coming up with a poor effort. The Flyers once again lost by a score of 2-1 despite a great game from Corey Macheran. Defenceman Mike Tilson scored the lone Thunder Bay marker. Waterloo swept the season series with four victories. Thunder Bay was without All-star defenceman Arron MacKenzie who broke a knuckle early in Saturday’s game.

    Montreal Canadiens Top junior Prospects Update

    by pbadmin
    on

    POS HT WT AGE DRAFTED
    Jose Theodore G 5-10 180 20 D-Mtl94 (2/44)

    GP W L T Avg Sv%
    98-99 Stats 16 9 6 1 2.22 .993 (AHL)
    98-99 Stats 13 3 10 0 3.35 .887 (NHL)

    #1 Strength- Winner’s attitude.
    #1 Weakness- Inconsistency.
    With the trade of Thibeault and the arrival of Hackett, Theodore was surprised and angered by his demotion to Fredericton. The main reason for his demotion was his inconsistent play. He has recently come to accept his demotion and is playing exceptionally well. He was just named the AHL’s player of the week and is proving himself too good for the AHL. Fredericton will go as far in the playoffs as Theodore (and his reputation as a good pressure goaltender) takes them.

    He continued his stellar play this last week by going 2-1, with a GAA of 2.00. he stopped 34 shots in a 3-2 overtime loss to St. John’s, did not play in a 5-4 loss in the rematch with St. John’s, stopped 33 shots in a 5-2 win over St. John, and stopped 21 shots in a 2-1 win over St. John’s.(Week ending 2/28/99)

    Projection at NHL level- Star.
    Current Stock Status- On the rise.

    POS HT WT AGE DRAFTED
    Mathieu Garon G 6-1 175 21 D-Mtl96(2/44)

    GP W L T AVG Sav%
    98-99 Stats 34 10 21 1 3.21 .897 (AHL)

    #1 Strength- Lateral Movement.
    #1 Weakness- Goes down too early. Read more»
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