By Drew Wilson

Hall of famer calls McNeill first round material

May 17, 2011 | 11:09 AM

The first player taken in the 1981 NHL draft feels Raider Centreman Mark McNeill is a first round prospect.

Dale Hawerchuk who played nine seasons with the Jets after being selected first overall by Winnipeg in 1981 got to see the 17 year old P.A. power forward on the front lines at the World Under-18 Hockey Championships in Germany. The NHL Hall of Fame inductee was an assistant coach for Team Canada and is impressed with McNeill's hockey pedigree.

The Edmonton native taken fifth overall by the Raiders in the 2008 Bantam draft has all the ingredients to be a good pro says Hawerchuck.

“He's got a big…big upside and is a kid that really loves the game…has good size…has good skill. The NHL scouts like him.”

McNeill was picked for the World Under-18 team after scoring 32 goals and 49 assists in his second season as a Raider.  He added another two goals and three assists in six playoff games against the Saskatoon Blades.

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Hawerchuk feels there is a chance McNeill will only play one more season in the WHL.

“He will be an exciting player for the people of P.A. to watch especially in the next year so people better come out and watch him next year because it might be his last. He's probably got a chance to be a pro at age 19, If luck is on the side of P.A. they will have him for two years and if he has a big year next year though he will live his dream of playing in the NHL.”

McNeill had 24 shots on goal at the World Championships but missed several chances including two outstanding opportunities to win the semi final game against the U.S. in overtime. He finished the tournament with six assists in seven games and played in all situations as Canada finished fourth.

McNeill will take park in the NHL combine in Toronto along with about 100 other draft hopefuls. The five days of intense physical testing and interviews run from May 30 – June 4.

The draft in Minnesota is slated for June 24 and 25 at the Xcel Energy Centre in St. Paul.

dwilson@rawlco.com