Nathan MacKinnon doesn’t need a calendar to know the QMJHL playoffs are just six weeks away.
As teams start to ramp up intensity for the post-season, the Halifax Mooseheads’ leading scorer at the young age of 16 years, five months, has noticed significant differences on the ice since the start of the new year.
“The game’s a lot faster right now ‘ everyone’s really focused on getting better and the game’s not as open as it was earlier in the year,” said MacKinnon, who is second among QMJHL rookies with 57 points in 40 games.
“Now is when the real players come out, when everyone’s playing playoff-style hockey.”
The Cole Harbour native is just five points away from breaking the franchise record for points by a 16-year-old, set by Etienne Drapeau with 61 in 1994-95.
But production has slowed for MacKinnon since a much-ballyhooed five-goal outburst against the Quebec Remparts on Dec. 3. He has four goals and four assists in his past 11 games ‘ with a shoulder injury and a trip to the world under-17 challenge in the middle of that ‘ and two goals and an assist in his past six outings.
He conceded he is likely getting more checking attention now that he’s a known quantity in the QMJHL, but said another factor is his focus on becoming more well-rounded.
“I know my point production isn’t where it was at (before) but it’s not my draft year,” said MacKinnon, widely considered a top-five candidate for the 2013 NHL draft.
“I’m trying to prep myself for next year and trying to become the best player I can be. Even if that’s 10, 15 less points, I just want to become an all-around player who can be trusted in all three zones.”
MacKinnon said he’s found himself getting more ice time late in games with the Mooseheads leading, a sign that the coaches trust him more defensively.
As for the offence, eight points in 11 games would be a hot streak for every other 16-year-old in the country. MacKinnon is taking it in stride.
“It’s good prep for the playoffs,” MacKinnon said. “The team is really improving. We had a slump, but we’ve picked it up from there and, hopefully, we can keep it rolling.”
