Adam Mascherin Scouting Report – 2016 NHL Draft

2016 NHL Draft Profiles: Adam Mascherin

Adam Mascherin – 5’9, 205-pound left winger from the Kitchener Rangers (OHL)

Adam Mascherin Rankings

• Ranked #58 by McKeen’s Hockey
• Ranked #42 by NHL Central Scouting (NA Skaters)
• Ranked #57 by Craig Button

Adam Mascherin Scouting Report provided by Brock Otten of OHL Prospects

Adam Mascherin Strengths

• The stats would definitely suggest that he’s a high-end draft pick. Among first year eligible players, Mascherin finished third in the OHL this year (with 81 points), and only Alex DeBrincat had more goals. That’s the type of production that you would typically associate with a first round pick.
• Mascherin possesses one of the hardest shots and quickest releases of any player in the draft class. He pounces on loose pucks and doesn’t hesitate a wink when it comes to firing the puck.
• He’s also an effective player below the hashmarks who can really work the possession game using great lower-body strength.

Adam Mascherin Weaknesses

• Why isn’t Mascherin generally considered a first rounder given his production? I think there are a variety of reasons, but the most obvious reason is his lack of size coupled with his only average skating ability.
• He’s only 5’9, but he is 200+ pounds, so it’s not the size alone (he’s built similar to Max Domi). It’s the combination of the two, as he’s more than strong enough to handle the rigours of the pro level.
• The other strike is his wavering intensity level on the backcheck and in the defensive end.

The Verdict

Mascherin me a little bit of Tyler Toffoli from his draft year, as they had similar concerns and strengths. Of course, Toffoli managed to figure things out, but he did fall a bit in the draft before that.

Adam Mascherin Career Notes

• Drafted round 1, #2 overall by Kitchener Rangers in the 2014 OHL Priority Selection Draft.
• Named GTHL Player of the Year in 2013-14 while with the Vaughan Kings in minor midget.
• Named to the OHL Second All-Rookie Team in 2014-15.

Adam Mascherin Interview

Courtesy of The Pipeline Show from October 31:

On describing himself as a player:
This year more than last year, I think you notice I work a lot harder coming back to my own end than I have in the past. Most people say I’m known for a good shot, but I think there’s a playmaking side to me and a little bit of a gritty side. I like to go in the corners and dig out the puck and make plays out of the corners. I think how I establish my game is  through getting in the corners and winning the battles. It’s a big thing for me.

On his size:
I rarely get knocked off the puck. I’ve got big tree trunks for legs and they definitely help out when you’re going into the corner against a 6’4 defenceman. I actually lost weight. I’m 198 pounds now, so I’m not too heavy, but I don’t think being short defines me as a player. People might be kind of cautious about that because I’m not six foot, but it’s not going to change the way I play. I can be just as good as someone who is 6’2. It’s not size; it’s heart.

On the improved offensive numbers in his draft year:
I don’t know if there was a specific thing that was going right for me; I was just working my hardest and I had a good summer. At the end, I came down early to Kitchener to work with our strength coach. I tried to develop a pro mentality. It’s been a game changer for me. I’m going to every game with the mentality that I want to be a difference maker. Just that mentality has been a difference for me. It’s not even a physical thing or like I’m working harder than everybody, it’s just a mentality thing.

I never really realized how important it is to work as hard as you can because everyday does matter. I had a good three weeks when I came early and it made a world of difference on the ice in the last two months. I learned a little bit more about being more of a pro than I did last year, not knowing what to expect as a 16 year old.

On feeling the pressure of being a former second overall pick in the OHL draft:
Last year I did. It was a lot of pressure as the first forward picked in the whole draft. “You’ve got to produce, you’ve got to produce.” I kind of relaxed a lot more this year and I’m just doing what I can control and not worrying about what I can’t control. If you can’t control it, why would you worry about it? It’s just extra stress. I just worry about going out there and playing my game and trying to win. If you win, you’re playing better and you’re happier. That’s when you’re playing your best.

Talking with my coach over the summer, he’s been helping me with the mental game. We have a [sports psychologist] and I’ve been talking with him regularly and he’s been helping me out with the mental battle of the draft year. It’s been a big change for me, the mental battle. They say hockey is 90% mental and 10% physical. It’s showing up in my game this year for sure.

On which NHL team he cheers for (being from Maple, Ontario):
I’ve been a Leafs fan since day one. I blame my parents.

On who he models his game after:
I think a little bit of Phil Kessel, but I go into the corners a little bit more. That would be my best guess.

Experts Take on Adam Mascherin

TSN Director of Scouting, Craig Button, on The Pipeline Show in October:
I’ve been lucky because I’ve watched Adam play from the time he was in minor midget. The impression that he’s always left me with is that of a player that is determined to find a way to produce. He’s got a great release and a great shot. He gets himself into position to score, and he’s hungry to score. He’s hungry to make a difference in the game.

I think that we look at height and what not, but he’s thick, he gets into the areas where he can take advantage, and he doesn’t get pushed out of them. I think that’s a real key. The biggest thing for me with Adam is that he looks quicker. I think if that quickness — that half a step, or whatever — comes for him, he’s going to be able to take greater advantage. With that type of release — goal scoring is really, really hard — when you find that players that have that unique ability, you have to really dial in on him and understand what he brings. That release, that shot and that determination to score are qualities that every team wants.

Adam Mascherin Statistics

Adam Mascherin Video