Merrimack received a commitment from 4-star winger Luke Weilandt last month. The Illinois native, in his first year as a USHL player, has five points (2 goals, 3 assists) in eight games.
“Weilandt is an underrated prospect who is stocky, strong on his skates and has a powerful snap shot that he disguises well and gets off in stride,” our scouts said. “His best attribute is his hockey sense and vision; he can see the whole sheet, his reads are quick and clever and he has great zip on his passes. He’s not flashy and doesn’t have blow away speed but he finds the soft spots, he’s very aware of where everyone is on the ice”
Over the last two seasons, Weilandt had 35 points in 39 games for the Chicago Mission and he was invited to USA Hockey’s Select 16 camp this past summer.
Weilandt took some time to talk about his commitment with Neutral Zone …
NZ: As you went through the recruiting process, what was it about Merrimack that made you want to play your college hockey there?
Weilandt: “I really liked the coaching staff right away. They’re a big reason I committed there. I trust them and I think they are really good coaches who are going to make me better as a player. That was important to me.
“I also liked the campus a lot. It’s a smaller school, but Boston is still close by so you can go into the city if you want to. But (the city) isn’t going to be a distraction though, because you’re not living there. And then they also offer an engineering program which I’m very interested in. I know it can be a tough major but the coaches don’t want me to shy away from it. They want me to do what I want to do.”
NZ: How would you describe your strengths as a player?
Weilandt: “I think I’m good on my skates. I really work hard on my skating. I’m disciplined in finishing my hits and battles for the puck in the corner. I think I have a pretty good shot and a good hockey IQ.”
NZ: On the flip side of that, what are some of the things you’re looking to work on this year in Sioux City?
Weilandt: “This is my first full year playing wing. I’m trying to get better in the defensive zone, reading and chipping the puck out and getting it to our center. After practice I’ll always shoot more pucks, I think that’s something I’m always working on. My shot and my defensive positioning are things I want to improve on this year.”
NZ: Our NHL scouting director, Ian Moran, watched you recently. Now that this is your draft year, is that something that’s on your mind or do you try to make it not become a distraction?
Weilandt: “Honestly, I haven’t thought about it too much. I just try to go out there and play the best I can in the games. I just want to win. If I keep getting better at the things I need to improve, it will all fall into place. Like I said, winning games is the most important thing.”
NZ: Making that jump to the USHL this year, what have been some of the biggest things you’ve noticed? What makes that league different than other places you’ve played?
Weilandt: “You have almost no time with the puck. If you do, there’s always at least one guy trying to hunt you down. You need to battle him off and the guys are a lot faster. That’s been the biggest adjustment for me, trying to get used to so much less time with the puck to make decisions.”
NZ: How do you feel the transition has gone this year?
Weilandt: “It’s gone better than I expected. The training camp and practices have helped me a lot.”
NZ: What was your experience like playing for the Chicago Mission?
Weilandt: “I loved it there. I wasn’t really the greatest player going into that program and they developed me and turned me into a player that can play juniors and college hockey. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be where I am right now. They are a very professional club. … Both of my years there I had Anders Sorensen as my coach and he helped me so much. He’s an assistant with the Rockford Ice Hogs now. He made my positioning a lot better.”