Soo Greyhounds’ Jared McCann filling out his all-around game: Making The Jump

Jared McCann needs few friendly reminders that every day in hockey is a privilege.

One of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds first-rounder's role models in his hometown of Stratford, Ont., is Colorado Avalanche prospect Joey Hishon, whom he often skates with in the off-season. Hishon's first pro season was scuttled by a concussion he sustained from a head shot while playing for the Owen Sound Attack in the 2011 MasterCard Memorial Cup. Thanks to that connection, McCann feels he is entering the Ontario Hockey League with a better understanding of how to get by as a centre in a rough game.

"He [Hishon] really emphasized that you need to get bigger, you need to get stronger to play at the next level," says the 6-foot, 175-pound McCann, whom the 'Hounds took No. 4 overall in this spring's OHL priority selection draft. "When he got hit, he said he wasn't very prepared for it. He said if he was stronger and more stable on his feet he would have prevented that injury. He's been working out in the gym ever since and you can already tell his game has gotten a lot better.

"Hockey's my life and it's something I really want to do and succeed in," adds the 16-year-old, who played for the London Jr. Knights minor midget team last season. "Hopefully it all works out."

McCann, who had a crash course in the speed and physicality of the junior game when he joined the London Nationals Junior B team at the tailend of last season, might be the most all-around player in the OHL's yearling class. He is a smooth skater in open ice but can also play physically. Offensively, he's adept as a scorer and as a setup man.

He notes that going to a small market in Sault Ste. Marie (pop. 79,800), which competes in the OHL's always stacked Western Conference, builds on a theme from his minor hockey days. McCann's Jr. Knights were part of the Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario, so going up against big-city squads always felt like a chance to prove himself.

"When we'd go up against the teams from Toronto like the Marlies [of the Greater Toronto Hockey League] it was really good to see how people played against those teams. I felt like I played a lot better because of the pressure."

"I want to be a team player, obviously do what I was brought there to do," he adds. "I just have to keep doing what I've been doing."

1. How do you describe your game for people who haven't been able to see you play yet?

"I'm a two-way player. I care just as much about defence as I do about offence. I'm a heads-up player. I feel pretty good about being able to find the late man coming in [on offensive rushes], things like that. When I played Junior B for the London Nationals I felt like I had patience with the puck. I didn't have to force it. I didn't have to shoot first. When I played junior that's what I felt really made me stand out.."

2. What is a specific aspect of the game you want to improve on as a rookie?

"Staying on my feet. It's going to be harder with 200-pound guys coming at you. So I really want to work on my core strength and staying on my feet. I'd also like to work on skating with the puck. It's hard to explain, but I need to work on keeping my feet moving while I'm doing that, anticipating what everyone else is going to do next."

3. The Soo is known for an intense fanbase, how does playing for the team appeal to you?

"Soo fans are great. They take hockey really seriously and it's something they care about. It's a lot different from minor midget or bantam. I want to be really liked by them. I want them to think I'm a hard worker and a good playmaker. Wayne Gretzky and played there and so did Jeff Carter, Wayne Simmonds, and they said they liked the Soo because of the fans. It's something I've always wanted to do — play in front of that many people, with more pressure. I play better under pressure."

4. What hockey achievement gives you the most pride?

"Just being drafted is kind of an obvious one. I would say being one of the top 42 [midget-aged players] selected last year for the Allstate All-Canadians Mentorship Camp. That showed me I had a chance to play at the next level."

5. What is your favourite workout song?

"Probably Heads Will Roll. I'm not sure who it's by [Yeah Yeah Yeahs] but it was in the movie Project X."

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