Seattle Thunderbirds’ Mathew Barzal is ready to make a splash: Making The Jump

Mathew Barzal is welcoming high expectations in his rookie season with the Seattle Thunderbirds.

“I Know people always expect a lot when you’re a high draft pick,” says Barzal, who was selected first overall in the 2012 WHL bantam draft. “But I think I’m ready to take on a big role this year. Sometimes it is good to have people expecting a lot because it pushes you to succeed.”

Points wise, Barzal hasn’t set any goals for this season. But based on his 29 goals and 103 points in 34 games last year with the Vancouver NE Chiefs in the British Columbia Major Midget League, it seems he is poised to score at around a point-per-game pace. He, after all, did top the rookie BCMML seasons of Edmonton Oilers first overall pick Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (87 points, 36 games, 2008-09), Winnipeg Jets star Evander Kane (54 points, 30 games, 2006-07) and 2014 draft sensation Sam Reinhart (78 points, 34 games, 2010-11).

“I’m really happy with how my season went in Vancouver,” says the 5-foot-11, 160-pound centre. “To get over 100 points was great and I thought our team grew a lot. I decided not to make any goals for points in Seattle because I just want to focus on the team. It’s all about winning and I just want to do everything I can to help our team win.”

Barzal’s outstanding midget numbers have already put him in 2015 draft talks as one of the top prospects behind Erie Otters superstar Connor McDavid. The 16 year old is flattered by the praise, but doesn’t put too much stock into it.

“I try not to pay much attention to that stuff,” he says. “It’s always nice for people to talk highly of you, but I just want to focus on my team and getting better as a player.”

Despite the draft attention and his outstanding numbers in midget, Thunderbirds general manager Russ Farwell believes Barzal ‘is yet to be discovered’ by most Seattle sports fans.

“I don’t think that many people in Seattle know how good he really is,” says Farwell. "Besides our die-hard fans, I think he is yet to be discovered by a lot of people here. That will change once they see him play."

For an entire year before he signed at the 2013 bantam draft, Thunderbirds fans weren't sure if they would see Barzal in a Seattle jersey while he took his time weighing his hockey options. But all along, the Coquitlam, B.C., native felt he would sign with the Thunderbirds.

“I was leaning towards Seattle pretty much since they drafted, but I wanted to look at all of my options and not rush into anything,” says Barzal. “I did look at some American colleges during the process. I knew that would have been another good option for me, but in the end I felt the WHL was my best option.”

Farwell likely gained some gray hair during the process, but he understood why the Barzal family chose to take their time before inking the contract.

“It’s very understandable for them to want to look all of their options,” says Farwell. “It was a long process, but we told them we wanted to get it done by the bantam draft and they respected our wishes.”

1. How would you describe yourself as a player?

“I’m an offensive forward who is tough to play against. I think I’m an impact player in all three zones and am tough to play against in all three zones. I try to make offensive opportunities and generate a lot of offense around the other team’s net.”

2. Do you model your game after a player in the NHL?

“I try to play like (Chicago Blackhawks star) Jonathon Toews. He is a role model on and off the ice. I really like how he plays. He is good in the defensive zone and offensive zone. I want to be a player who can be reliable in all zones like him.”

3. Who is your favourite NHL team?

“I like the Chicago Blackhawks. I like them just because I like how they play and Toews and Patrick Kane are two of my favourite players.”

4. If you weren’t playing hockey, what sport would you pursue?

“I’d probably pursue lacrosse. I used to play that when I was younger and really liked it. I also like and play golf. It would have to be one of those two sports.”

5. What’s your favourite band or genre of music to listen to before a game?

“I’m not sure if I have a favourite band. I just like to listen to stuff that gets me fired up. I like to listen to high-pace music."

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