Moose Jaw's Point proves skill trumps size for WHL’s top scorers

Look no further than the Western Hockey League for proof that size doesn’t always matter. Starting with Kelowna Rockets star forwards Rourke Chartier and Nick Merkley, who have 45 points apiece, the league’s top seven goal scorers all measure in at under 6-feet.

Not to imply that smaller players can’t play with an edge, but it’s somewhat unforeseen because the WHL has a reputation as the more rugged major junior league in the CHL. Developing the likes of Boston Bruins star Milan Lucic, Nashville Predators blueliner Shea Weber and Anaheim Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf has helped build that reputation of truculence. But when considering how speed and skating has become the be-all and end-all to some degree, it’s not that surprising to see size become less of a factor.

“I don’t think it’s that surprising because we have a lot of elite, skilled players in our league that are under 6-feet,” says Moose Jaw Warriors GM Alan Millar. “Skating and hockey sense are so important in how the game is played right now that if you can do those things well, you can succeed in this league.”

It would appear the shorter snipers’ success bodes well for smaller players coming up through the bantam draft pipeline; however, Millar doesn’t see it changing how scouts will approach the draft in the future. He feels it shows there is a demand for talented players regardless of their size, but bigger and more rugged players will still be enticing options on the draft floor.

“The draft kind of goes up and down based on the success of teams in the league and the NHL,” says the Warriors GM. “The Los Angeles Kings are a team that are winning and they have size, depth and are physical, so they’ve shown that those things are important. But you need all sorts of different players like shutdown defencemen, bigger forwards and skilled forwards to succeed. This opens up opportunities for smaller players with skill and speed because they’re a piece to the puzzle for building a winning team.”

At 5-foot-10 and 163-pounds, Moose Jaw's Brayden Point,18, is the poster boy for small, skilled forwards in the WHL. The Tampa Bay Lightning third-round pick sits tied for fifth in scoring with 13 goals and 33 points in 23 games even though he only has one teammate (Jayden Halbgewachs) who weighs less than him. He believes he has been able to excel with the Warriors because of the importance of speed and skill and his determination to make it.

“I think the league has become more of a quicker league where smaller guys can do well because of their speed, quickness and skill,” says Point, who netted 36 goals and 91 points in 72 games in 2013-14. “You don’t have to be big to win battles if you can skate, are quick and work hard... I heard comments growing up where people would say you won’t make it at this level or that level, but I didn’t let it bother me and I was determined to make it. I know what I’m capable of and don’t get intimidated.”

As Point alluded to, he had his share of skeptics while going through Alberta’s minor hockey system. He fell to the Warriors who took him with the No. 14 pick in the 2011 bantam draft despite scoring 42 goals and 102 points in 33 games with the Calgary bantam ‘AAA’ Bisons that year.

“Brayden’s skill overshadowed his size for us,” says Millar on drafting Point. “I actually remember having a conversation with Rob Maclachlan, our assistant general manager and head scout, on whether he’d be available at the No. 14 pick. For us, he had the skill, but he also had a lot of other intangibles. He played with grit, is very competitive and is determined out there to be a difference-maker. It shows when he goes into the boards; he comes out with the puck a good portion of the time not because he runs guys over, but because he’s determined to win the battle.”

Before he solidified himself as one of the league’s top talents, Point was comforted in knowing that other smaller forwards made their mark in the WHL before him. The Calgary, Alta., native especially looked up to Buffalo Sabres and former Medicine Hat Tigers centre Tyler Ennis, who has a 5-foot-9, 169-pound frame.

“It is nice to see that other guys made it before you,” says Point. “Ennis is a guy with a lot of skill and a good skater that showed you can make it to the WHL and NHL even if you aren’t that big. For me, he’s an inspiration and someone I looked up to.”

Kelly Friesen is a Buzzing the Net columnist for Yahoo! Sports. Follow him on Twitter @KellyFriesen