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stuff99 · 07-08-2009, 11:25 AM

Canucks' top pick Schroeder small guy with big upside

First-rounder from NCAA Minnesota out to prove he can play in bigs

By Jim Jamieson, The ProvinceJuly 8, 2009 9:01 AM

Jordan Schroeder was selected 22nd overall by Vancouver in 2009 NHL draft. He had 40 points in 32 games last season.

Jordan Schroeder was selected 22nd overall by Vancouver in 2009 NHL draft. He had 40 points in 32 games last season.
Photograph by: Nick Procaylo, The Province

Jordan Schroeder is focused on showing the naysayers that his 5-foot-8 stature won't hold him back in pro hockey.

But then again, Schroeder — selected 22nd overall by the Vancouver Canucks at last month's NHL entry draft — is known for his focus.

The 18-year-old Prior Lake, Minn., native left home at 15 to join the U.S. National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, Mich., where he played for two seasons. He also accelerated his high school courses to graduate a year early so he could enter college that much sooner.

Last season as a freshman centre at the University of Minnesota, Schroeder was a scoring machine with 40 points (13-27) in 32 games. He was fourth in the NCAA with a 1.3 points per game average. He was also named the Western Collegiate Hockey Association's top rookie, the College Hockey News' top rookie, the Minnesota Gophers' top rookie and was a WCHA second team all-star.

"I've heard it for a long time that I'm too small," said Schroeder on Tuesday, the second of a five-day summer conditioning and orientation camp attended by him and about 30 other Canucks prospects.

"I want to prove to everyone that I can make it and play in the NHL one day."

Schroeder, who turns 19 on Sept. 29, said he was enjoying his first visit to Vancouver. He claimed he was even looking forward to Friday morning's sprint up the Grouse Grind, a torture test that winds up the camp.

"It was beautiful flying in, a great city, I love it here," he said.

The Canucks may have got the steal of the first round when Schroeder — projected to go in the top 15 — slid to 22. But he said going to a Canadian team in a hockey-mad market more than made up for the drop.

"It wasn't a big deal to me," he said. "I just wanted to go in the first round, especially to a team like Vancouver. Everyone is crazy about hockey up here. Obviously, there's pressure when it comes to a Canadian city so I'll have that on my shoulders, but I'm looking forward to it."

University of Minnesota head coach Don Lucia said for a player to come in as a freshman — especially one a year younger than usual — and make the splash Schroeder did is almost unheard of. He said Schroeder is a sure-fire top-six NHL forward.

"This is a tough league," said Lucia. "Next year we're going to have 20 NHL draft choices on our team. It's not often where a guy can come in and have the impact that he had. Usually, if a freshman can come in and score 15-20 points, they've had a good year.

"But [Schroeder] played against the other team's top lines and defence pairs all year long," Lucia said. "He couldn't hide."

Although he's clearly got a top-end future, Schroeder's probable path is to return to Minnesota, where he can mature physically for another year while likely contending for the Hobey Baker Award for college hockey's best player.

But Schroeder wouldn't commit to returning to college, only acknowledging it's likely. "I'll have some decisions to make when I go back home," he said. "[But] a year back in college wouldn't hurt at all."

E-mail: jjamieson@theprovince.com
© Copyright (c) The Province

07-08-2009, 11:25 AM	#1086
stuff99 I subscribe to the Fight Club ONLY Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver Posts: 7,316 Thanked 212 Times in 79 Posts Failed 35 Times in 23 Posts	Canucks' top pick Schroeder small guy with big upside First-rounder from NCAA Minnesota out to prove he can play in bigs By Jim Jamieson, The ProvinceJuly 8, 2009 9:01 AM Jordan Schroeder was selected 22nd overall by Vancouver in 2009 NHL draft. He had 40 points in 32 games last season. Jordan Schroeder was selected 22nd overall by Vancouver in 2009 NHL draft. He had 40 points in 32 games last season. Photograph by: Nick Procaylo, The Province Jordan Schroeder is focused on showing the naysayers that his 5-foot-8 stature won't hold him back in pro hockey. But then again, Schroeder — selected 22nd overall by the Vancouver Canucks at last month's NHL entry draft — is known for his focus. The 18-year-old Prior Lake, Minn., native left home at 15 to join the U.S. National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, Mich., where he played for two seasons. He also accelerated his high school courses to graduate a year early so he could enter college that much sooner. Last season as a freshman centre at the University of Minnesota, Schroeder was a scoring machine with 40 points (13-27) in 32 games. He was fourth in the NCAA with a 1.3 points per game average. He was also named the Western Collegiate Hockey Association's top rookie, the College Hockey News' top rookie, the Minnesota Gophers' top rookie and was a WCHA second team all-star. "I've heard it for a long time that I'm too small," said Schroeder on Tuesday, the second of a five-day summer conditioning and orientation camp attended by him and about 30 other Canucks prospects. "I want to prove to everyone that I can make it and play in the NHL one day." Schroeder, who turns 19 on Sept. 29, said he was enjoying his first visit to Vancouver. He claimed he was even looking forward to Friday morning's sprint up the Grouse Grind, a torture test that winds up the camp. "It was beautiful flying in, a great city, I love it here," he said. The Canucks may have got the steal of the first round when Schroeder — projected to go in the top 15 — slid to 22. But he said going to a Canadian team in a hockey-mad market more than made up for the drop. "It wasn't a big deal to me," he said. "I just wanted to go in the first round, especially to a team like Vancouver. Everyone is crazy about hockey up here. Obviously, there's pressure when it comes to a Canadian city so I'll have that on my shoulders, but I'm looking forward to it." University of Minnesota head coach Don Lucia said for a player to come in as a freshman — especially one a year younger than usual — and make the splash Schroeder did is almost unheard of. He said Schroeder is a sure-fire top-six NHL forward. "This is a tough league," said Lucia. "Next year we're going to have 20 NHL draft choices on our team. It's not often where a guy can come in and have the impact that he had. Usually, if a freshman can come in and score 15-20 points, they've had a good year. "But [Schroeder] played against the other team's top lines and defence pairs all year long," Lucia said. "He couldn't hide." Although he's clearly got a top-end future, Schroeder's probable path is to return to Minnesota, where he can mature physically for another year while likely contending for the Hobey Baker Award for college hockey's best player. But Schroeder wouldn't commit to returning to college, only acknowledging it's likely. "I'll have some decisions to make when I go back home," he said. "[But] a year back in college wouldn't hurt at all." E-mail: jjamieson@theprovince.com © Copyright (c) The Province __________________ ....