Taking the next step
Terrance McLean keeps eye on college hockey while set to play junior 'A'
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Monday, September 28, 2015
NEEPAWA/BAKER LAKE
This hockey season is shaping up to be a big one for Terrance McLean, formerly of Baker Lake.
Terrance McLean, formerly of Baker Lake is bringing his puckmoving skills to the defence of the Neepawa Natives of the Manitoba Junior 'A' Hockey League this season. - photo courtesy of Terrance McLean |
McLean, 18, made the jump to the Neepawa Natives of the Manitoba Junior 'A' Hockey League from playing AAA midget at the Banff Hockey Academy.
A puck-moving defenceman with good vision and a hard shot, McLean could have stayed at Banff until he was 21 but opted to test his game at a higher level.
Neepawa finished last this past season and are a rebuilding squad this year.
McLean said Neepawa traded for his rights this past August and he's excited to be playing for the Natives.
He said he was impressed with the team's performance during a preseason that saw him play about 24 minutes per game, including time on the power play and penalty kill.
"We have a really, really young team and that's the main reason I chose to come here," said McLean.
"I could have gone to better teams with older players, but I wanted the ice time I know I can earn here.
"We're probably not going to be amazing this year but from what I've seen so far, we're going to have a decent season.
"We're going to make the playoffs, for sure."
McLean made the transition to defence from forward just two years ago.
He stands about six-foot-four and tips the scales at 215 pounds.
McLean said he likes the idea of coming to a rebuilding team and staying the course with it.
He said if everything works out well, he plans to play with the Natives for the next few seasons.
"I like my teammates, our coach and staff, my billets and the people here.
"Our new coach is Jim Fuyarchuk of Brandon, Man., who's been very successful coaching in Europe and I love playing for him.
"We have so many 17- and 18-year-old players - even a couple of 16-year-olds - that we should be one of the top teams in the league during the next couple of seasons.
"It would be great to come here during the rebuild and stay to win a championship."
McLean finished Grade 12 this past June.
He said he's looking to upgrade his courses so he can enter a good college program when he's finished his junior career.
"I really want to play college hockey after junior, so I have about three years to upgrade, make the best possible marks and get into the best possible school.
"Grades really matter when you're trying to get into college hockey.
"It's not just about your hockey skills.
"I'm a late bloomer and I've already made junior 'A,', so I just want to keep going and see what I can do."
