Player's Profile
Picture Courtesy of ontariohockeyleague.com
- Name: Michael Swift
- Position: C
- Shoots: Left
- Height: 5-9
- Weight: 165 lbs
- Birthdate: 1987-03-26
- Eligible for Draft: NaN
- Drafted:
- Hometown: Peterborough, Ontario
- Acquired: Free Agent, 2008
- Playing In: CHL
Michael Swift
Prospect Grade: 5.5 C (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: Jared Ramsden
History
2005-06: Swift picked up where he left off in his first full OHL season with the Mississauga Ice Dogs, bettering his numbers across the board. He scored 22 goals and 32 assists for 54 points in 65 games. Unfortunately for Swift and his Ice Dog teammates, his team failed to qualify for the post-season.
2006-07: Just like the year before, Swift's numbers took a significant jump up with the Ice Dogs, and he nearly doubled his assist output. In 67 games, he recorded 34 goals and 59 assists and led the team in scoring and his 93 points was good enough for 11th best in the entire OHL. He also finished with an impressive +37 rating and 12 power play goals. In five post-season games, he recorded one assist.
2007-08: Swift capped his junior career in style, as he took home the OHL's Overage Player of the Year Award. He cracked the century mark in points, and finished second on the Niagara Ice Dogs in scoring with 38 goals and 62 assists. The 100 points placed him in a tie for 7th overall in the OHL. He led the team with 16 power play goals and a +36 rating. In the playoffs, he helped the Ice Dogs advance to the second round of the post-season, scoring nine goals and nine assists in 10 games. Three of those goals were short handed. After Swift's season was complete, he signed an entry level contract with the New Jersey Devils.
Talent Analysis
Swift shows great passion and intensity for an undersized player, and is more the willing to play a little rough and get his nose dirty as evidenced by his high penalty minute total in his last junior season. As is the case with the majority of smaller players, Swift has above average speed. He has good vision in the offensive zone and also owns a strong and accurate wrist shot.
To go along with his great offensive skills, Swift is also a more than capable player at the other end of the rink. By the end of his junior career, he emerged into a strong penalty killer and his seven short-handed goals show that he's an offensive threat any time he is on the ice. He's very responsible defensively, back checking on a regular basis, which should aid in helping him at the professional level of hockey.
Future
Swift is going to have to overcome his size to succeed at the next level, but he appears to have the tools to eventually make that happen. He will begin his professional career next season with the Devils AHL affiliate in Lowell.
Stats
Stats Coming Soon...
Profile Last Updated: May, 15th 2008
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