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**leafsftw1967** · 04-02-2020, 01:26 AM

Ready to take on the SMJHL by Storm- A look into the Undrafted Free Agent Mats Marner

With the SMJHL draft long in the books, preseason and training camp wrapped up, and the first week of the regular season already underway two way center Mats Marner is starting the season behind the eight ball. However, Marner is ready to make up the ground lost of starting the season late and is ready to get to work. With his eligibility to join a SMJHL team for season fifty three officially confirmed today here is what Mats Marner can bring to your team on and off the ice:

On Ice Abilities

1. Physical Big Bodied Center: It is a rare commodity for a player to have size and skill and be able to put it all together on a nightly basis in game. At six foot four, two hundred and thirty pounds Mats Marner has the make up to be a player who is hard to knock off the puck, as well as, throw his weight around to physically intimidate opponents at the same time. He is a guy that does not shy away from contact and often gets his teammates energized with big hits. On paper Marner’s hitting, checking, balance and strength are already some of his top attributes so expect them to only continue to improve throughout his player development in the juniors. Don’t be surprised to see Marner sticking up for teammates on the ice as well, dropping the gloves if need be.

2. Defensively Responsible: Two of the most important attributes needed to be a defensively sound center in the big leagues is to have a high hockey IQ and a relentless commitment to playing a two hundred foot game. Coming into the juniors three of Marner’s biggest strengths is his defensive reads, stick checking, and positioning. He is the type of player that is willing to sacrifice individualist offensive point goals to accomplish the goal of playing suffocating team defense and is committed to never being caught out of position.

While Marner grew up often being the most talent player on the ice, entering into the SMJHL this will no longer be the case and he understands what it’s going to take to make it at the next level is standing out as a well-rounded defensive center. Marner is ready to embrace a checking role of taking away snipers and offensively minded players time and space by breaking up plays. Forcing turnovers, using angles to block of passing lanes, properly timing stick checks and not being fooled by fancy danglers are key areas of the game Mats Marner is wanting to focus on at the next level.

3. Underrated Playmaking Abilities: As a hulking forward you would think Mats Marner would solely be a crash and bang player. However, there is a lot more to Marner's game than his size as he possesses underrated playmaking abilities. While he uses his size for puck control and to shake off defenders, Marner is especially slick in close, finding teammates open with quick passes through traffic and can get creative in the offensive zone with nifty passes. He is also a reliable outlet on the breakout in the defensive zone and can effectively get pucks up to spring teammates rushing up ice looking to catch defensemen flat footed. While a majority of his offensive skills still need to greatly developed, Marner has the potential to become an excellent set up man for his line mates.

Off Ice Characteristics

1. Elite Work Ethic: Having trained with retired SHL hall of famer defenseman Darian Scherbluk who played in the SHL for twenty seasons, Mats Marner has tried to soak up all of the advice of how to have a long successful career in professional hockey. Marner understands having a consistently relentless work ethic and willingness to do absolutely anything to get better every day will be required to one day make the SHL and have a hall of fame career. He has proven that he is willing to make sacrifices to put extra hours in the gym and on the ice training to continue to improve his game. He has a drive to become one of the hardest players to play against in the pro hockey while not having it stop him from producing points offensively. While Marner will likely not be the most talented forward in the SMJHL this season or the one to come, he is determined to be one of the hardest working individuals in the league.

2. Possesses the Resources Required to Maximize All Training Opportunities: Growing up in a professional hockey family, Mats Marner has been on skates since he was two years old. He has been lucky enough to have the opportunity of inheriting a large amount of wealth and ample access to training facilities to improve his game from a young age. Coming from a professional hockey family and being surrounded by mentors who have or are currently playing in the SHL, Mats Marner will have the chance to maximize his growth as a young hockey player. If he stays focused on continually improving, Marner should be able to fast track his development by utilizing the vast amount of resources at his disposal that other rookies in the SMJHL might not have.

3. Team First Player: Mats Marner is most importantly going to be a team player who will put his heart and soul into making whatever SMJHL club that signs him better. Marner is the kind of person who will head to the rink every day ready to compete and be excited about the opportunity to play hockey whether he’s got a big role with top line minutes or is playing under ten minutes a night on the fourth line. In the locker room, Mats Marner is a friendly teammate who always brings a positive and respectful attitude to the table. At the end of the day, the overall team success is the highest priority for this young rookie and he wants to see his teammates succeed just as much as himself. Ultimately everyone wants to be a team player, but not everyone is willing to do what it takes.

[Image: mats-sundin-16_9.jpg?width=660&height=37...&auto=webp]

With a lot of SMJHL team rosters already solidified for the regular season and very few positions still open for a late blooming rookie to make an impact, Mats Marner still hopes that SMJHL managers will come calling. All he is asking for is one shot to prove to the world that he belongs in pro hockey.

Word Count: 1,092

PS: This is my first article I have written in over five years since coming back to the SHL today so hopefully it’s not too bad Laughing

Nhamlet · 04-02-2020, 02:32 AM

**RomanesEuntDomus** · 04-02-2020, 08:12 AM

Whoa whoa whoa, welcome back!!

Snoopdogg · 04-02-2020, 09:30 AM

Nice article

***Ace*** · 04-02-2020, 02:35 PM

04-02-2020, 01:26 AMleafsftw1967 Wrote:
Ready to take on the SMJHL by Storm- A look into the Undrafted Free Agent Mats Marner

With the SMJHL draft long in the books, preseason and training camp wrapped up, and the first week of the regular season already underway two way center Mats Marner is starting the season behind the eight ball. However, Marner is ready to make up the ground lost of starting the season late and is ready to get to work. With his eligibility to join a SMJHL team for season fifty three officially confirmed today here is what Mats Marner can bring to your team on and off the ice:

On Ice Abilities

1. Physical Big Bodied Center: It is a rare commodity for a player to have size and skill and be able to put it all together on a nightly basis in game. At six foot four, two hundred and thirty pounds Mats Marner has the make up to be a player who is hard to knock off the puck, as well as, throw his weight around to physically intimidate opponents at the same time. He is a guy that does not shy away from contact and often gets his teammates energized with big hits. On paper Marner’s hitting, checking, balance and strength are already some of his top attributes so expect them to only continue to improve throughout his player development in the juniors. Don’t be surprised to see Marner sticking up for teammates on the ice as well, dropping the gloves if need be.

2. Defensively Responsible: Two of the most important attributes needed to be a defensively sound center in the big leagues is to have a high hockey IQ and a relentless commitment to playing a two hundred foot game. Coming into the juniors three of Marner’s biggest strengths is his defensive reads, stick checking, and positioning. He is the type of player that is willing to sacrifice individualist offensive point goals to accomplish the goal of playing suffocating team defense and is committed to never being caught out of position.

While Marner grew up often being the most talent player on the ice, entering into the SMJHL this will no longer be the case and he understands what it’s going to take to make it at the next level is standing out as a well-rounded defensive center. Marner is ready to embrace a checking role of taking away snipers and offensively minded players time and space by breaking up plays. Forcing turnovers, using angles to block of passing lanes, properly timing stick checks and not being fooled by fancy danglers are key areas of the game Mats Marner is wanting to focus on at the next level.

3. Underrated Playmaking Abilities: As a hulking forward you would think Mats Marner would solely be a crash and bang player. However, there is a lot more to Marner's game than his size as he possesses underrated playmaking abilities. While he uses his size for puck control and to shake off defenders, Marner is especially slick in close, finding teammates open with quick passes through traffic and can get creative in the offensive zone with nifty passes. He is also a reliable outlet on the breakout in the defensive zone and can effectively get pucks up to spring teammates rushing up ice looking to catch defensemen flat footed. While a majority of his offensive skills still need to greatly developed, Marner has the potential to become an excellent set up man for his line mates.

Off Ice Characteristics

1. Elite Work Ethic: Having trained with retired SHL hall of famer defenseman Darian Scherbluk who played in the SHL for twenty seasons, Mats Marner has tried to soak up all of the advice of how to have a long successful career in professional hockey. Marner understands having a consistently relentless work ethic and willingness to do absolutely anything to get better every day will be required to one day make the SHL and have a hall of fame career. He has proven that he is willing to make sacrifices to put extra hours in the gym and on the ice training to continue to improve his game. He has a drive to become one of the hardest players to play against in the pro hockey while not having it stop him from producing points offensively. While Marner will likely not be the most talented forward in the SMJHL this season or the one to come, he is determined to be one of the hardest working individuals in the league.

2. Possesses the Resources Required to Maximize All Training Opportunities: Growing up in a professional hockey family, Mats Marner has been on skates since he was two years old. He has been lucky enough to have the opportunity of inheriting a large amount of wealth and ample access to training facilities to improve his game from a young age. Coming from a professional hockey family and being surrounded by mentors who have or are currently playing in the SHL, Mats Marner will have the chance to maximize his growth as a young hockey player. If he stays focused on continually improving, Marner should be able to fast track his development by utilizing the vast amount of resources at his disposal that other rookies in the SMJHL might not have.

3. Team First Player: Mats Marner is most importantly going to be a team player who will put his heart and soul into making whatever SMJHL club that signs him better. Marner is the kind of person who will head to the rink every day ready to compete and be excited about the opportunity to play hockey whether he’s got a big role with top line minutes or is playing under ten minutes a night on the fourth line. In the locker room, Mats Marner is a friendly teammate who always brings a positive and respectful attitude to the table. At the end of the day, the overall team success is the highest priority for this young rookie and he wants to see his teammates succeed just as much as himself. Ultimately everyone wants to be a team player, but not everyone is willing to do what it takes.

With a lot of SMJHL team rosters already solidified for the regular season and very few positions still open for a late blooming rookie to make an impact, Mats Marner still hopes that SMJHL managers will come calling. All he is asking for is one shot to prove to the world that he belongs in pro hockey.

Word Count: 1,092

PS: This is my first article I have written in over five years since coming back to the SHL today so hopefully it’s not too bad