Throughout the season, the 23-year-old said the coaching staff taught him about what it means to be a reliable player within their system. Consistent execution of the details and game plan for every practice and game is where Mcward feels like he took a big step.
“I think it’s a mindset thing. You’re not trying to do too much and knowing that you have a role and that you’re adding value when you’re doing that for your team,” he said. “Whether you’re closing in and you’re keeping a really good gap so that they can’t get in on the rush with the puck, or you’re breaking the puck out and you’re working for your partner, your partner’s working for you, you’ve got your head up, you know what you’re going to do with it and you’re moving it up and getting it out of your zone,” McWard said.
In talking about specific skills, he felt he made his biggest improvement on his box outs around the crease and saw his success unfold in real-time on the ice. He’s hoping to continue to build on that for next season and he’s focused on being a hard-nosed defender in front of the net, being aggressive in the corners and doing whatever he can do to help his team possess the puck.
Towards the end of the season and into the Calder Cup Playoffs, McWard solidified himself as a mainstay on the penalty kill.
Abbotsford finished the regular season third in the league on the PK and first in the Western Conference with an 85 percent success rate.
“I really liked getting the opportunity to grow in that and to earn my ice time on the PK towards the end of the year to where I was out there every penalty kill and having a penalty kill near the top of the league was awesome to take some ownership in that and be a part of that,” he said.
His expectations for where he fits in on the PK next year vary depending on whether he makes the Vancouver squad or if he’s in Abbotsford.
“If I come into training camp and I can make Vancouver then my expectations for ice time and where I’ll be playing will change. If I do end up in Abbotsford again, my goal is that I’m over the boards every single penalty kill we have, and I can be one of the d-men that’s blocking all the shots, stopping goals from happening, and being out there against the best players in the AHL,” he said.
While he’s focused on being a reliable defender his first pro season, he’s got a solid shot and he’s hoping to be able to flex it more next season. Last season there were times he overlooked his shot to make an extra pass or play, and with a year of pro hockey under his belt, he’s feeling confident to grow his offensive game.
“I think the next step for me is adding that offence and I think that I have a whole lot more to add this year. I’m hoping I can show the coaching staff, management and my teammates that I can help out on the power play, I can make plays and hopefully I can use my shot a little bit,” McWard said.
McWard notched 17 points (4-13-17) and in six playoff games, the right shot defenceman collected an assist.
