Owen Sound Attack’s Jacob Middleton aims to pick up the pace: Making The Jump

Jacob Middleton wants to even keel in his first season by the bay with the Owen Sound Attack.

For the second time in six seasons, the Attack used their No. 8 overall selection on a Stratford, Ont., native when they took Middleton in April. It worked out well the last time down by the shores of Georgian Bay, with Joey Hishon helping deliver an OHL championship to the league's minutest market (although a concussion cost Hishon his first pro season). Middleton, a 6-foot-2½, 199-pounder who is projected to be a shutdown defenceman, isn't promising anything so ambitious. Adapting to the faster pace of major junior is more than enough to fill his plate. At least for now.

"My goal is just trying to keep composed throughout the whole season," says Middleton, who captained the Huron-Perth Lakers midgets last winter. "I don't want to get nervous. I don't want to expect big things from myself. I just want to keep composed and get a feel for the league. Hopefully that will help me stay consistent.

"I am going to have to think a lot quicker," adds Middleton. "Just being able to think one step ahead of the game will help me a lot."

Two common concerns with 16-year-old defenceman who are blessed with a big body are mobility and consistency. There are, suffice to say, few red flags with Middleton on the first count ("I've always been the biggest guy on my team so I didn't always have to grow into my body," he says). He moves well enough that it is reasonable to believe he might become a No. 1 defenceman by the end of his OHL tenure. On the latter count, he will be challenged much more in junior than minor hockey.

Middleton is joining an Attack team which is fairly flush with returning defenders, including Tampa Bay Lightning draft choice Jake Dotchin and 17-year-old Chris Bigras, who is currently skating for Canada's under-18 team at the Memorial of Ivan Hlinka tournament. The 16-year-old Middleton notes that being chosen to the inaugural Allstate All-Canadians Mentorship Camp in 2011 gave him a picture of what he can do in hockey and was a springboard into his draft year.

"I don't know if I was well-known as other players and that camp really helped me with my confidence level and gave me that extra edge in minor midget," says Middleton, who will be playing just more than 100 miles away from his hometown and parents Darlene and Steve Middleton.

"I was sitting with my dad and we had the sports on FM 96 [a London, Ont., radio station] and they were talking with Gary Roberts about how 42 of the best kids would be going. And then a couple of weeks later I found out I would be going. It was exciting."

1. Everyone has to get stronger and quicker, but what is one specific element of the game you want to improve at during your rookie season?

"This year, I really want to get better at getting pucks on net. I always find myself passing it off whereas I think if I can get pucks to the net, I can create more opportunities for the team.."

2. Whom in the NHL do you study closely to get a sense of what it takes to thrive at that level?

"Keith Yandle of the Phoenix Coyotes. Just the way he plays with a lot of a poise. He's pretty strong defensively and he knows when he can jump into the offence."

3. Owen Sound is the smallest market in the OHL, but people saw how avid their fans are during their championship run in 2011. How does playing there appeal to you?

"That was a big thing in going to Owen Sound. I got a chance to take in a game during the season and it was on a Wednesday night against the Sarnia Sting and the place was packed [despite it being a school night]. I couldn't get over how excited the fans were the whole game. They may have the smallest market, but the fan base is just as big as anywhere else."

4. Outside of family, who has had the greatest impact on you so far in your hockey career?

"Probably Trevor Jutzy, he was my coach for minor bantam and major bantam and also my trainer. Also Tyler Matheson [trainer last season with the Huron-Perth Lakers]. They're really great coaches. They can keep the dressing room fun. And if you have problems, you can go to them and get an answer that won't include putting you down."

5. If you could do one Olympic event, what would it be?

"I think pole vaulting would be a pretty cool experience."

Neate Sager is a writer for Yahoo! Canada Sports. Contact him at neatesager@yahoo.ca and follow him on Twitter @neatebuzzthenet .