ON THE HORIZON – Scott Mayfield, D, Denver U.
By Alan Avital
As Kyle Okposo stepped up to the podium this past June at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft to announce the Islanders’ fifth overall selection of Niagara (OHL) center Ryan Strome, some Islander fans cheered the pick. There were also some who were skeptical of Strome’s diminutive stature and believed his six-foot-five, 193-pound OHL teammate Dougie Hamilton would’ve been a more appropriate fit for a defense lacking that imposing presence.
Luckily, the Islanders’ patience to acquire that much-needed physical defender paid off 29 picks later, as 6-foot-4, 203-pound defenseman Scott Mayfield fell right into their laps in the beginning of the second round (34th overall).
Mayfield, who himself waited patiently with his family in the Xcel Energy stands, was excited about being selected by the Islanders.
“Once I got out of the first round, the pressure was off,” said Mayfield, who was projected by several scouting services to be drafted in the middle-to-late first round. “But when I met with the Islanders at the scouting combine, we had a great meeting. I couldn’t be happier than to be picked by them (Islanders).”
A native of St. Louis, Missouri, the 19-year old Mayfield quickly made his name known throughout amateur hockey by leaving the show-me state and Webster Groves High School to playing his final two high school seasons for the Youngstown (OH) Phantoms of the USHL.
He was named to the 2011 USHL All Star Team, after being named the Most Valuable Player at the 2010 World Junior A Challenge, where he anchored a defensive unit that surrendered a total of seven goals throughout the tournament. Those performances, along with his obvious physical stature, drew the attention of several collegiate programs, but Mayfield quickly narrowed his search down to two – Miami (OH) and the University of Denver.
His decision became simple from the get-go.
“I briefly talked to the Miami of Ohio, but I loved the winning tradition at Denver,” said Mayfield. “Also, my dad went to law school there and I felt very comfortable immediately.”
Denver head coach George Gwozdecky didn’t need convincing when he first laid his eyes on his new, prototypical shut-down defender.
“Scott is a physical body with a long reach,” said Gwozdecky, who has won seven NCAA championships as he enters his 18th season behind the Pioneer bench. “He is a tough, tough guy to play against. And most importantly, he has a little nasty in him.”
While Gwozdecky wouldn’t comment on an NHL comparison to Mayfield, the personable freshman wasn’t shy to say which two former St. Louis Blues players he had patterned his game after.
“I have always looked up to (current Philadelphia Flyer 6-foot-6 defenseman) Chris Pronger, but I really love watching (current Colorado Avalanche 6-foot-4 defenseman) Erik Johnson play” said Mayfield. “They are both big, and love to play the body.”
Mayfield’s off-season conditioning and play has already earned the trust of Gwozdecky, who has confidently played his freshman in all units on the ice.
“Scott is learning the game on this level, on the go,” said Gwozdecky, who holds the distinction of being the only coach in NCAA hockey to win a championship as a player (Wisconsin), an assistant coach (Michigan State) and a head coach. “He is very coachable. He’s like a sponge. There is no question that he will become one of those guys that no one will want to play against.”
Mayfield earned an assist in the team’s opening game upset at top-ranked Boston College.
“What a great experience it was to win at B.C.,” said Mayfield. “Going in as the underdog, the team really showed what we were made of.”
Mayfield would score his first collegiate goal on October 22 in the Pioneers’ 10-2 rout of Minnesota State. Coupled with his two points in the team’s first six games, Mayfield is tied for second on the team with a plus-4.
With an eye towards a professional future, Mayfield realizes that there is no timeline necessary to make that significant jump to Long Island.
“I realize that I must mature both on and off the ice,” said Mayfield, who hasn’t declared a major at Denver, but has his eye on majoring in hotel and restaurant management. “I know that I have to work on my footwork, and learn where to make the right play.”
Islander nation got their first glimpse of Mayfield at July’s Blue-White Scrimmage on Long Island, and the shut-down defender didn’t disappoint.
“I really enjoyed playing in front of the Islander fans,” said Mayfield, who is looking to join former Pioneer defenseman Matt Donovan and forward Rhett Rakhshani on the Island in the near future. “I tried to show them that I am a gritty defender, who loves playing the corners. I am physical, and I am not afraid to block shots.”
Mayfield, who currently plays at 205 pounds, believes that he could play comfortably at 225. That sight is surely unfamiliar territory for the present-day Islander fans continuously craving muscle on the back line.
16 Responses to ON THE HORIZON – Scott Mayfield, D, Denver U.
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Danfromouteast says: I agree with you. So looking toward to these guys.
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mark p says:
I thought he skated really well at the prospect game…..glad to hear he is physical…..he is exactly what we need…..and yeah it did make me feel better about not picking Hamilton.
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anthony c says:
strome is a good player. But damn did I want them to pick couturier. That kid’s two way game is solid for a player of his age. 6’3 197, and is gonna get bigger.
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Danfromouteast says:
Me to. I think stroke is going to be good but isles definetly need some size and I was hoping for couturier.
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islesrock73 says:
Will the team be on Long Island when this kid is ready for the NHL? I really liked this pick, but we fans want to see a player with his style of play and size now on the Islanders.
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The New Isles GM says:
I will say this….I love the fact we’ve collected an aray of prospects in all different positions, as we will continue to. However, we need to make adjustments now. We’re not just going to replace Comeau and Bailey, Eaton and Motteau next year with more inexpereienced young guys. That’s not how you move forward. If we make a couple of smart moves, we’ll allow our prospects like Mayfield, Pedan, De Haan, Poulin, Lee, Nelson and others to keep developing in the programs their enrolled in. It’s highly important for the long run. We cannot have any more Bailey mistakes. In my opinion, Nino shouldn’t even be with the team right now if we had actually signed a legitamate winger this summer. But obviously that didn’t happen….so here we are.
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Chris R says:
Mayfield is 3 years away from making an impact. btw, Hows De Haan doing in the ahl?
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Juniorjunior says:
Prospects prospects prospects …… It’s all we ever have to look forward to. Frustrated and fed up. Want a winning team already with a new arena in queens. Sick.
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Bean322 says:
Prospects.. prospects..read all about it! It’s tough being an isles fan
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Not really digging the new site. It looks like one of my 9th grade computer application students made this in 2 minutes. What was wrong with the way it was? I don’t know why I’m so bothered by this, but the new layout is just awful. Don’t try and fix it if it’s not broken. Come on folks…
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I like the new site. Now we just need a new look for the “same old Islanders”.
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Bronx 56 says:
I like the new look it was time to move on. I hope they can start playing complete games with all facets of the game working there is talent here but some bigger players would help.
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regarding the new site…it would be nice if you can assign a number to each post…like the old way
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Danfromouteast says:
I can’t wait for mayfield and pedan two big physical dmen add dehan and donovan they have a nice young up coming defense. Hamonic as future captain. Plus there is some size upfront like nelson. The future is bright but they seriously need help now
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Rich L says:
He was excited by being picked by the Islanders, WHY? Right there that should tell you something is “up” with him, the same as Tavares, signing a long term extension, don’t these guys think of the future, or are they just driven by the almighty dollar,I, for one would NOT sign with this team, in their current state, and the state of ownership and management, no effing way. And that is precisely why no one of any worth, wants to sign here, period.
Mayfield and Pedan cannot get here soon enough. Throw in Andres Lee and Krill Petrov and Brock Nelson. Some serious size with some skill as well.