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CHL/NHL Weekly Prospect Profile: Future Devil Michael McLeod

By Matt Duscharme

Sep 26, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; New Jersey Devils forward Michael McLeod (41) plays the puck during the second period of a preseason hockey game against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; New Jersey Devils forward Michael McLeod (41) plays the puck during the second period of a preseason hockey game against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports /
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Welcome to our Weekly CHL-NHL Prospect Profile, Every Single Week We are Going to Showcase the CHL’s Top Player Who Has Also Been Drafted Into the NHL, This Week OHL F Michael McLeod!

This week in our CHL-NHL Weekly Prospect Profile we’ll be discussing OHL forward Michael McLeod who currently plays for the Mississauga Steelheads. Selected twelfth overall in the first round of the 2016 draft, Michael has spent his entire OHL career with the Steelheads putting up 156 points in 172 games. He even played for the Canadian U-20 World Junior team this year winning himself a Silver Medal. McLeod also had some pre-season time with the Devils before ultimately being sent back down to Mississauga.

chl-nhl weekly
Sep 26, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; New Jersey Devils forward Michael McLeod (41) reacts with teammates after scoring a goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period of a preseason hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports /

A high-octane offensive dynamo, Michael has elite skating levels that are rivaled by very few. Like many other elite players, let’s use Connor McDavid for example, Michael can also make the impossible happen while traveling at top speed through the center of the ice. This alone makes him deadly every single shift and makes the opposing teams constantly aware that he’s in the game. But that’s not all, McLeod also plays physically, quite a lot actually, which makes him a full 200-foot player that will hit you on one end of the ice while scoring at the other. [via eliteprospects.com]

Once Mike hits the NHL and becomes accustomed to the pro game it’s not hard to imagine him taking over the number one center position, he has the ability to make everyone around him better and has the skills to lead regardless of level. New Jersey really picked themselves up quite the gem at last years draft, now if they can add some top notch wingers to play around him, they will have a very deadly top line in the NHL.

“A 19-year-old from Mississauga, ON, McLeod was originally chosen by his hometown Steelheads fifth overall in the 2014 OHL Priority Selection.  The third-year forward was a first-round pick of the Devils in the 2016 NHL Draft and was a member of Canada’s National Junior Team in the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship.  He’s already matched his career-highs in all offensive categories with 21 goals and 40 assists for 61 points in 48 games.” [via chl.ca]

Next: NHL Prospects Weekly Spotlight: New York Islanders F Mathew Barzal

Mike has some games coming up this week against Kingston on Friday, March 10th, Niagara on Thursday, March 16th, and Barrie next Friday, March 17th. [via mississaugasteelheads.com]

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