Michael Mac Junior Review

[LastOneUp 160]

 

In today’s VHL, what’s more valuable than a big winger who moves well and plays with skill? Teams that have one generally don’t let them go. Teams that want one almost never have the opportunity to get one unless they draft one. To that end, I suspected Michael Mac would be a highly sought after player.

 

The Hounds liked what Michael Mac had to offer so much that they gave him first line minutes and powerplay time, but passed on some of the more notable players in this year’s draft class. It was somewhat of an unexpected move, but the pick helped fill a team need.

 

Michael Mac checks a lot of boxes that the Hounds were looking to add this offseason. If you are unfamiliar with Mac, let’s take a closer look at what he has to offer. Mac is polished. When he’s engaged and on the prowl, he’s a player who can draw comparisons to a young Ryan Getzlaf. Like Getzlaf, Mac has a power game, but also has high end vision and the hockey sense to open up lanes for other players. An accurate wrist shot allows him to score from the outside and the willingness to go to the net and play in traffic also makes him dangerous in front.

 

Strengths:

Shifty with great hands despite his large frame. Very coordinated and a very smooth skater. He is incredibly talented at keeping the puck in motion and creating offense with a sneaky elegance. Michael’s ability to slow the game down and read the ice has been noticed by many scouts.

 

He is a very strong forward with an “offensive-first” mindset. His soft hands help generate offense, especially in the crease and other dangerous areas. Scouts have also commented on his ability to weave the puck into tight spaces; a skill that is unique given his size. None of this compares to his shot, which is one of the best among available players.

 

Michael can take control of the offense and slow the game down for himself and his teammates.  A fast stick and agility will mesh well with the Hounds forward group.

 

Areas for Improvement:

Mac’s agility mostly stems from his hands and upper body.  A consistent drive in his acceleration is expected to improve with VHL caliber development.

 

Another common area for improvement noted by scouts is a general lack of confidence in his defensive positions, as well as an unwillingness to always block a shot.

 

Potential:

His size and offensive ability will be a change of pace for the Hounds forward group.  His cerebral read on the game and vision on the ice could make him a big asset on the penalty-kill unit. Mac has shown creativity in his defensive game, which Mississauga will look to use when he hits VHLM ice.

 

Edited March 27, 2020 by LastOneUp