Jared McCann – The Next Ones: 2014 NHL Draft Prospect Profile

 

Jared McCann THW Close-up:

Team: Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)

Birthdate: May 31, 1996

Hometown: London, ON

Height: 6’0″   Weight: 175 lbs 

Position: Centre

Shoots: Left

NHL Draft Eligibility: 2014, 1st year eligible

Twitter: @jaredmccann19

THW Ranking: #12

Other Rankings:

THW’s NHL Draft War Room – #12

Future Considerations – #10

ISS – #17

CS Final Rankings (North American skaters) – #10

Craig Button, TSN – #8

Jared McCann
Jared McCann (Terry Wilson /OHL Images)

Regarded as one of the better two way players in the draft, McCann is a coach’s dream. Plays a 200 ft game and is solid in all three zones, and is one of the best skaters in the 2014 to boot.

While his skill set is impressive, he’s an excellent skater with exceptional lateral movement and a rocket of a wrist shot, it’s his well rounded game that sets him apart from many of his peers in the draft.

At 17 years old he shows a defensive maturity rare for someone his age. He has already become one of the Greyhounds most reliable penalty killers and is often matched up against the opponents top line.

He also combines that with a tireless work ethic, a gritty nature, and a desire to go into the tough areas. Injuries are a concern, he’s already suffered a concussion, and he will need to bulk up to play that style of game at the pro level. However, with the combination of physical skills and the willingness to do whatever it takes to win, there will be many teams lining up for his services come draft day.  

Where He’ll Go In June:

Likely a mid first round pick, somewhere in the 10-15 range. Could go potentially a few spots higher or lower, but unlikely to go inside the top 10 and just as unlikely to fall much past 15.

Scouts Honour:

“Jared is a highly skilled and creative playmaker, he has excellent hands and puckhandling ability. He sees the ice very well and can get the puck through traffic with great saucer passes.

“He is not a guy who will always bring you out of your seat but is dangerous every shift and at the end of the game he will quietly have a goal and three assists. Jared is an excellent penalty killer, smart and reads the play very well.”

Chris Edwards, NHL Central Scouting

Centres who play every situation in the game, are involved in all areas on the ice and contribute both with and without the puck are in high demand. The cliche of being a ‘200 foot player’ applies to Jared.

– Bob Mackenzie, TSN

Jared McCann is an excellent skater. He has great acceleration and very good top end speed. He is amongst the quickest players in this draft class. His ability to change speeds can be used to fool defenders, he loves to turn up the speed at the last second and cut to the middle of the ice, leaving an often flat-footed defender in his wake. McCann combines this with good agility and edgework, along with top notch stick-handling which makes him incredibly dangerous off the rush. He also has very good balance, and is strong on his skates, making him very difficult to knock off the puck, helping him in board battles, and allowing McCann to fight through checks to get to the front of the net.

– Ben Kerr, Last Word on Sports

McCann is a dynamic forward who can play down the middle or on the wing. The Stratford, Ont. native is a relentless possession player who can menace the opposition with his excellent top-end speed and acceleration. McCann is a true goal scorer and has natural offensive instincts and outstanding finishing ability. He is prone to going through stretches where the puck doesn’t seem to go his way, but McCann is yet another forward in this draft with excellent upside at the NHL level.

The Scouting Report

Statistics:

Interview/Bio Links:

International Tournaments:

  • 2013 – Canada (Ontario) – U17 Championships
  • 2014 – Canada – U18 Championships

NHL ETA:

Jared McCann (Terry Wilson /OHL Images)
Jared McCann (Terry Wilson /OHL Images)
  • 2-3 years

NHL Potential:

  • Second line, two way centre

Strengths:

  • Skating
  • Wrist Shot
  • Quick Release
  • Puckhandling
  • Passing
  • Two way skill set
  • Hockey IQ
  • Work ethic

Flaws/Aspects He Needs to Improve:

  • Needs to add muscle for the pro game
  • Consistency

NHL Comparable:

  • Patrice Bergeron
  • Ryan Kesler
  • David Legwand

Video:

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THW’s The Next Ones prospect profile template design architect: Chris Ralph

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