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OHL Draft Profile: McGill showing size matters

‘I’m very defensive minded, first pass out, quick play, make the big hit when it's possible and protect my zone at all costs; really shut down the other players’
2022 Jacob McGill Trappers
Jacob McGill and teammate Zach Major in front of the Trappers net. File photo by Chris Dawson/BayToday.

At 6 foot 3 and 195 pounds, Jacob McGill is a big strong defenceman with the North Bay U16 triple A Trappers who just wrapped up their season last week. 

The Powassan native believes he is a reliable defence first defender. 

"I’m very defensive minded, first pass out, quick play, make the big hit when it's possible and protect my zone at all costs; really shut down the other players," he said.

"Going in the corners I noticed I have an upper advantage on the guys cause I'm obviously a bigger body out there but I like to throw my weight around and really let the other team know I'm out here to play so I see that as an advantage with my size and I get to really use it to my advantage."

McGill worked hard during the COVID-19 break so he could hit the ground running when hockey resumed in the fall. 

"When that happened obviously it was a bummer but when I found out the gyms were closed and everything, I texted one of my buddies he had a home gym there and he's actually one of the players on our team, Davis Anello he had a home gym, went there with him worked out, really focused on cardio and strength," he said. 

"Then I tried to find ice anywhere I could, even if it was a skate or anything just to get out on the ice."

The multi sport athlete also uses his size to his advantage on the football field for his high school team…

McGill, who’s two older brothers play USport Football at Saint FX in Nova Scotia, believes football has made him a better hockey player.

"It helped me a lot with a lot of footwork and moving and really reading the play and I have to be focused, making sure you know what you're doing out there and I find that helped me with concentration," said McGill who is an affiliate with the French River Rapids of the NOJHL. 

McGill, who was named to Team NOHA for the OHL Cup, hopes his commitment to getting better shines through in anticipation of the 2022 OHL priority selection.

"I'm a player that's going to keep the puck out of the zone I'm the type of kid that you can say go watch this player make sure he doesn't score, do this for us. I'm that guy that will go out there and shut their star player down," he said. 

See Jacob McGill's scouting video below: 

 


Chris Dawson

About the Author: Chris Dawson

Chris Dawson has been with BayToday.ca since 2004. He has provided up-to-the-minute sports coverage and has become a key member of the BayToday news team.
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