By paNOW Staff

McNeill now starts dealing with the draft

Apr 27, 2011 | 11:19 AM

Drew Wilson and Mark McNeill go 1-on-1. Good gracious no … not on the ice, that would be a mismatch of monumental proportions, but paNOW’s Wilson caught up with McNeill shortly after he returned home from the World Under-18 Hockey championships in Germany.

Wilson: “Mark, you've had a little time to recover and reflect on playing for your Country at the world under-18 championships. What are your thoughts looking back?”

McNeill: “It was definitely a very special experience, I put on the Canadian jersey for the first time going over there, for the first time representing my country, it brought chills to me … you know it was a very special feeling”

Wilson: “What else struck you about playing for Canada?”

McNeill: “I felt really proud too, you think about your family and friends back home, and we knew the whole country back home was supporting us, watching us on TV. That was really special as well”.

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Wilson: “How different was the game on the big ice? You're a North American player getting your first exposure to the 200-by-100 ice surface. How different was the game, the way it is played on the bigger ice surface?”

McNeill: “It was definitely a lot quicker on the bigger ice, a lot more speed and puck movement as well as a lot of little guys whipping around using their speed. It was a little harder for me to use my power game to get in there and finish bodies quickly on the forcheck so I definitely had to adapt a little bit. But it was a good experience and I had a lot of fun with it.”

Wilson: “Specifically, what parts of your game do you feel have improved by playing on the big ice at a very high level?”

McNeill: “Definitely it's all about speed and vision and having your head up. So anytime you have an opportunity to play on the big ice with elite players like that you definitely learn a lot.”

Wilson: “What was it like playing against the other top prospects in your age group? Other players eligible for the NHL draft?

McNeill: “It was good…definitely good playing against them and also playing alongside a lot of them on Team Canada. It was good to get to know a lot of new guys and playing against a lot of highly talented players from across Europe. It was really cool to see what they bring to the table.”

Wilson: “Were you surprised at all by the level of play, the speed or the size of the Europeans and Americans?”

McNeill: “Yeah I was definitely surprised to see the Europeans were a lot bigger than I expected. They aren't too far off the Canadians by any means, they are big and strong boys. All of those countries are starting to produce high quality players. Every team was filled with skill and talent.”

Wilson: “So what’s next? I'm assuming you will be going to the combine?” (The annual NHL combine in Toronto brings together the top prospects for the draft for fitness testing and personal interviews)

McNeill: “Yeah, I will be taking a few days off here and then training and focussing and getting ready for the combine.”

Wilson: “You have been focussing all season on your game on the ice while putting the NHL draft in the back of your mind. You know the scouts have been watching, about two dozen each night in the WHL. Is it starting to set in now that your life will change at the end of June in Minnesota? (The NHL draft is June 24th and 25th)

McNeill: “Yeah, definitely, it's starting to set in now that all the hockey is over and done with and now all I have to do is go to the combine and meet a few people (NHL GM's) here and there. It will definitely be one of the most exciting days of my life.”

Wilson: “Finally, what do you think about next season with the Raiders after the strong finish to the regular season and tough playoff series against Saskatoon?”

McNeill: “I'm really excited…having all this summer to prepare. I'm really looking forward to training camp, seeing what young prospects we have coming in and having a lot of fun with it.”

dwilson@rawlco.com