Welcome back to Top Shelf Prospects, the daily column that brings you the next crop of professional hockey players. Each day I will bring you a new player profile or topical article in the lead-up to the 2018 NHL Draft. Be sure to bookmark the site, follow me on Twitter, and spread the word for the site that will bring you analytical and critical profiles and scouting reports! Last Word On Hockey Prospects is your new headquarters for everything “NHL Draft”! We have a complete listing of our draft articles here.
The second overall pick in the 2016 QMJHL Draft, Jared McIsaac is another prospect showing the brilliance of the Halifax Mooseheads drafting and development program. He was the QMJHL Defensive Rookie of the Year and Made the All-Rookie Team in 2015-16. After scoring 32 points in 59 games as a rookie, he put up nine goals and 38 assists for 44 points in 65 games this year. McIsaac also put up four points in nine playoff games, before the Mooseheads bowed out in the second round of the QMJHL playoffs.
McIsaac played for Canada White at the 2016-17 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge where he was an alternate captain. He also played for Team Canada at the 2017 IIHF Under-18 World Hockey Championships, acquitting himself well despite being an underage player. This season, he won a gold medal at the Ivan Hlinka tournament, putting up a goal and three points in five games. It was recently revealed that he will be joining Team Canada for the 2018 IIHF Under-18s in Russia.
Jared McIsaac Scouting Report
Defence — shoots Left
Born March 27th, 2000 — Truro, Nova Scotia
Height 6.01 — Weight 195 [185 cm/88 kg]
Skating
McIsaac is an outstanding skater. He has very good mobility, with top-notch speed and acceleration in both directions. This allows him to lead the rush out of his own end, or to make pinches at the blue line and still recover defensively. Quick feet good agility, edgework, and pivots allow McIsaac to cover 360 degrees of ice. He transitions quickly from offence to defence, and vice versa. His strong skating ability makes him very difficult to beat on the rush. McIsaac has good strength in his lower body. This gives him excellent power and balance. It helps him to win battles in front of the net, and along the boards. He is also strong on the puck.
Offensive Game
McIsaac can carry the puck out of his own zone and lead the rush. He combines excellent puck handling skill with his good skating and can carry the puck end-to-end to create a scoring chance. He also has the vision and skill to make a strong first pass and start the transition game that way. His good passing skills transition to his play at the point. He has the poise to handle the puck and the patience to make plays. His agility allows McIsaac to walk the line and open up passing and shooting lanes. McIsaac has the passing skill and vision to set up scoring opportunities for his teammates.
McIsaac has a strong shot in addition to the ability to quarterback the power play. He has a good wrist shot with a quick release. His slap shot may not be an absolute bomb, but it is still above average. He understands how to get it on the net, even with traffic in front. McIsaac keeps his shot low and creates opportunities for tip-ins and rebounds. The skill is clearly there, and it is high end. However, the issue is consistency. McIsaac can look great one game and mediocre the next.
Defensive Game
McIsaac’s strong skating ability helps him to be an excellent two-way defender. He is very difficult to beat one-on-one. McIsaac can also play a physical game in the corners and in front of the net. However, in order to continue to play this type of game at the next level, McIsaac must get stronger. He is also a smart player, with a strong positional game and good anticipation. McIsaac cuts down passing lanes with an active stick. When a turnover is created, he transitions quickly to offence.
Projection and Comparison
McIsaac has all the upside and skills necessary to be a top-four defenceman at the NHL level. While he is not NHL ready yet, another year or two in junior, rounding out his game will serve him well. He should continue to play big minutes, and in all situations. This is something that will serve him well in his development. McIsaac’s game is reminiscent of Drew Doughty, however this is a style comparison only and not reflective of potential or ability.
Highlights
The following is a compilation of some of the many highlight packages of McIsaac that are available on youtube.
Check back tomorrow for the next prospect on our draft board.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
BOISBRIAND, QC – OCTOBER 20: Jared McIsaac #14 of the Halifax Mooseheads skates against the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada during the QMJHL game at Centre d’Excellence Sports Rousseau on October 20, 2017 in Boisbriand, Quebec, Canada. The Halifax Mooseheads defeated the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada 4-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
