Whitelaw reaping benefits of hard work ahead of 2023 NHL Draft
Youngstown forward among top rookie scorers in USHL after rough start as child
William Whitelaw
has come a long way from the days of feeling defeated and thinking he was the worst player on the ice as a 6-year-old.
"I was the worst player on my mini-mites team ... it wasn't a great experience, and I was a little upset," Whitelaw said. "I think kids start at different ages, and I started really young too, but I think some people are naturally better than others. I think I just wasn't naturally gifted with it, and I realized that I needed to work hard if I wanted to achieve what I enjoyed doing and I knew playing hockey was what I wanted to do.
"I think that just becoming obsessed with it was big for me. Every day trying to get better when I go on the ice. Every opportunity you have to go out there, have fun and just take it all in, just work hard. I slowly started to get better at that age and that made me happy. I just never gave up."
That determination ultimately led Whitelaw to where he is today, third among rookies in the United States Hockey League with 52 points (30 goals, 22 assists) in 54 games with Youngstown. He also played in the 2023 USA Hockey BioSteel All-American Game on Jan. 16.
The 18-year-old right wing is committed to University of Wisconsin for next season and is a projected second-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.
"I think not giving up is a huge thing," he said. "You can always achieve what you want when you don't give up ... I think a huge thing that's overlooked in life."
Whitelaw (5-foot-9, 173 pounds), born and raised in Rosemount, Minnesota, is tied for second among USHL rookies in goals, is first with 203 shots on goal, second with 11 power-play goals, and tied for first with three short-handed goals.
He has 10 points (six goals, four assists) in his past seven games and is No. 55 on
NHL Central Scouting's midterm ranking of North American skaters
presented by BioSteel.
"I like to shoot the puck and make plays and I think that my 200-foot game is evolving right now," Whitelaw said. "I know I need to continue to build on that, but I think my offensive game is my strength. I'm very good making plays off the rush, getting a quick shot that surprises the goalie and setting up my teammates."
The right-handed shot played for Minnesota prep powerhouse Shattuck St. Mary's before joining Youngstown. He opened plenty of eyes after he had 110 points (46 goals, 64 assists) in 55 games with Shattuck's senior team last season.
"You hear it all the time ... there's really no better place to play than Shattuck," Whitelaw said. "I had some very special years there. Coach Tom Ward does a great job with all the kids ... he developed guys like Jonathan Toews, Zach Parise and Sidney Crosby. I think waking up, going to the rink with your buddies, getting better, is huge. Something as simple as being able to walk to the rink every day is special, something that you cherish the rest of your life. Being able to compete with my teammates every day was great."
Having the opportunity to play at Wisconsin beginning next season is something Whitelaw looks forward to doing.
"I think they have everything you need to become an NHL hockey player," Whitelaw said. "I think that's the goal for me. Everything about it was just special and I knew that's where I wanted to play hockey. What they have there is great for all the players. It's going to help me elevate my game to the next level and one day be able to play in the National Hockey League."
PROSPECTS ON THE RADAR (listed alphabetically):
Koehn Ziemmer (6-0, 202), RW, Prince George (WHL): Ziemmer, No. 20 on Central Scouting's midterm ranking of North American skaters, finished third for Prince George with 89 points (41 goals, 48 assists) and second with 16 power-play goals in 68 games this season. He describes his game as hard-working, physical, skilled and relentless.
Prince George opens the WHL playoffs against Tri-City on Friday.
"He's shown he is among the elite scorers in the WHL," John Williams of Central Scouting said. "He's a very strong player physically. He's strong on the puck and on his feet, a hard guy for defenders to handle in tight situations. Koehn makes plays in all zones and can score and is a potential power forward-type of player."
Luke Mittelstadt (5-11, 175), D, University of Minnesota: Mittelstadt, the younger brother of Buffalo Sabres forward Casey Mittelstadt, was passed over in the 2022 NHL Draft but has impressed as a college freshman this season. The 20-year-old, No. 82 on Central Scouting's midterm ranking, has 18 points (three goals, 15 assists) and a plus-20 rating in 36 games. Minnesota will play Boston University in the NCAA Tournament semifinals at the Frozen Four on April 6.
Borya Valis (6-1, 182), RW, Regina (WHL): The 18-year-old right-handed shot has done well for himself in the shadow of
Connor Bedard
, the projected No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft. Valis, who has at times played on a line with Bedard, had 48 points (20 goals, 28 assists) in 55 games this season. He is No. 183 on Central Scouting's midterm ranking of North American skaters.
Regina opens the WHL playoffs against Saskatoon on Friday.
"I think he's a super smart player and I feel like his offensive attributes are something that are sort of rare with the way he thinks the game and the way he kind of processes that," Bedard said. "For me, it's been a lot of fun to play with him."
Photos: Rena Laverty, USA Hockey; Anthony Moreton, Youngstown
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