QA with Jaden Schwartz

No one player in the USHL made a bigger impact for his team in 2009-10 than Forward of the Year Jaden Schwartz. Schwartz led the USHL in scoring (tallying 33 goals and 50 assists in 60 games), and thus led the Tri-City Storm in scoring, but he also figured in on nearly half of his team's goals (48.3 percent) and he had nearly twice as many points as any of his teammates (Brett Mohler was second with 45 points in 60 games and Radoslav Illo was third with 43 points in 50 games). The next highest mark in the USHL was Des Moines' T.J. Tynan at 36.2 percent. For better-known comparisons, the highest such percentages in the NHL were Steven Stamkos at 43.8 percent, Martin St. Louis at 43.3 percent, Sidney Crosby at 42.4 percent, and Henrik Sedin at 41.2 percent (the only four above 40 percent).

Not only did Schwartz make massive offensive contributions to Tri-City's success (the Storm made the playoffs after being the USHL's doormat in 2008-09 and after missing the playoffs two straight season), he also made significant defensive contributions. From the preseason through the playoffs, Schwartz was a regular in even-strength defensive situations and a regular on the penalty kill. Head Coach Drew Schoeneck used him in all situations.

Thus, while the Omaha's Matt White was named the USHL's Player of the Year (and USA Hockey's Junior Player of the Year), if the USHL had an award commensurate to the NHL's Hart Memorial Trophy (most valuable to his team), it's certain that Schwartz would have won that award, too. Without him, Tri-City likely battles for the USHL's basement once again.

McKeen's correspondent Kevin Wey was able to interview Jaden Schwartz of the Tri-City Storm toward the end of the season. Schwartz discussed his standout 2009-10 season, his development in the USHL, his commitment to Colorado College, whether he'd still consider the major junior track, his minor hockey in Saskatchewan, and the NHLers he looks up to most.

McKeen's: Obviously, you guys are fighting for your lives. By the time this is published, your fate will have been decided. But, what's the feeling in the dressing room?

Schwartz: Yeah, I mean, right now, we're kind of in a little bit of a rut. We can't seem to find a win. But, I think we're doing good things. It's only a matter of time. We've just got to put that behind us now. We've got three games left. If we play good, if we play our game, we can win all three. Lincoln, we've had success in that building, and we have two home games. So, it's going to be tough, but I think we can do it.

McKeen's: You're almost at the end of the 2009-10 regular season. How would you say 2009-10 has been for Jaden Schwartz?

Schwartz: I think it's been fairly good. I didn't know what to expect coming in here, but I think I've played well almost all year. I think lately I haven't been producing as much offensively, but I still think I'm doing good things. Overall, I've been happy. The Tri-City Storm organization is awesome. I know I'm very happy with my decision to come play here this year.

McKeen's: As the regular season winds down, you still have a chance at leading the league in scoring as a rookie, which is pretty phenomenal, and you've almost factored in on 50 percent of your team's goals, another pretty amazing mark. What would you say has been the key to your high level of production in your rookie season?

Schwartz: I think you just have to come out and be prepared every night in this league. It's pretty different than where I came from last year. You could maybe take two nights off and sneak in a goal or an assist there. I think I'm just trying to get ready every game. It's tough in this league. Obviously, I'm getting a good opportunity here. I'm getting a lot of ice. But, I think I see the ice fairly well and am a pretty smart player. I've been playing with some guys who help me out as well. I just go out there and play and good things have happened so far.

McKeen's: You played in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League last year for Notre Dame, and you were the rookie of the year in that league last year. You have a chance of maybe duplicating that this year in this league. You touched upon this a bit, but how do the SJHL and USHL compare and what were the biggest adjustments you faced coming into the USHL?

[Note: Schwartz was considered ineligible for USHL Rookie of the Year, having played Tier II junior A hockey in Saskatchewan]

Schwartz: Well, I think the biggest adjustment was just leaving home. It was my first year leaving home, and it took a couple weeks to get used to. But, the SJHL, it's fairly older. I mean, there's some older guys in this league, but in this league they're young, a little bit quicker. I think this league is a lot faster. It's a pretty fast league, and it also has good teams that play well defensively. So I think just overall, the speed and the tempo of the game is the biggest part.

McKeen's: What would you say are the areas of your game that have improved the most during the course of 2009-10?

Schwartz: I think just focusing on a two-way game. In this league, you cannot be cheating offensively as much as you may in midgets or whatnot. So, I think my two-way game has gotten a little better. And, like I said, I think being focused every game, because you have to be in this league if you want to do anything. So, those are two big things, but also my speed, and I'm using my teammates a little bit more as well.

McKeen's: I think coach Schoeneck has had you on the PK all year. So, that's not only giving you even-strength defensive opportunities, but also giving you a chance in all situations.

Schwartz: Yep. Penalty kill, powerplay, even strength, he's given me a good opportunity.

McKeen's: No surprise on the powerplay minutes (chuckles). In what areas of your game do you feel you need to continue to focus on improving to take your game to the next level?

Schwartz: I think, off the ice, I've just got to get stronger. Obviously, my lower body strength has to get big. I'm not the biggest guy out there. So, I'm just trying to strengthen up my body, get a little stronger. On the ice, I want to focus on working on my shot a little bit, shooting the puck a little more. Other than that, the defensive game as well.

McKeen's: On the flipside, we've talked about improving, what would you say are the strengths of your game and, for anyone who hasn't seen you play, the style that you play?

Schwartz: I think just my vision, seeing the ice. I think I'm a pretty smart player out there. I use my teammates fairly well. I think I'm pretty quick in the corners, too. So, I think those are some pretty good strengths of mine.

McKeen's: I remember one moment tonight where you were in the corner with C.J. Ludwig, and he's right by you and you're looking for the puck, then assessing your options, and I think you've lulled him into a sense of security, and then suddenly it was "bam!" you exploded, and you were gone. As you were saying, quick out of the corners. Stuff like that helped Paul Kariya over the years. Back in January, no surprise, you played in the USHL All-Star, for Team West, and if I remember right, your coach was Pat Westrum, a scout with the Montreal Canadiens. What were some of the things he told you guys before, during, and after that?

Schwartz: He just kind of said, "Go out there and enjoy it." I mean, it's not too often your going to play in the USHL All-Star Game. So, he just kind of said to enjoy it, but obviously to play hard, since there were a fair number of scouts there. He just told us to play our game. I liked him a lot. He was a good guy. He gave us a few tips here and there. Overall, it was good.

McKeen's: You started the year playing for Canada's Under-18 Team at the Hlinka Tournament, and like Louis Leblanc last year, you were the only one on the team not on the major junior track. How did it feel to make that team and how did you feel the tournament went for you?

Schwartz: Well, I think anytime you make a team like that, it's a tremendous honor. I guess I had a fairly good tryout camp and was fortunate enough to make it. That was one of the best experiences of my life. Having played for your country is something you'll always remember. So, I was definitely very happy, and winning the tournament with the gold medal kind of topped it all off. So, I can't complain about the tournament. It was a lot of fun and I played with a lot of good players. So, it was a great experience.

McKeen's: With all the other guys picking the major junior route from that team, what was it that made you decide to go the college route instead?

Schwartz: It was a tough decision for me. I think it is for any kid growing up. But, me and my family put a lot of thought into it. It wasn't something we decided overnight or anything. We looked at both ways and visited Kennewick there in Washington and I went visited "The Springs" in Colorado (Colorado Springs). So, I just liked everything about it. I felt like I fit in, in Colorado. I like the coaching staff, the style of play there. Everything about it, I just kind of liked. In the end, I think it was a pretty easy decision for me, after I saw it all.

McKeen's: As you touched upon, you're committed to Colorado College. When did colleges first start recruiting you and, if I might ask, who else was in the running? And tell me more about the decision to go with CC in the end.

Schwartz: They were more interested in my brother to start. I think I was only a bantam age and he was second-year midget. So, he would have been 16. They were actually talking to him more. Then, they started watching him, and then they watched a little bit of me, and they showed some interest, and we took a family visit. The family took a visit down there, so we went and checked it all out. It was great to go out to see that, because I'd never seen a college game before. I got to see the atmosphere and kind of get used to it and, like I said, I just kind of liked everything about Colorado there.

McKeen's: With the college route, was it CC all the way? Was anyone else in the running?

Schwartz: Ahhh, not really. I mean, we talked to North Dakota a little bit, because I played a couple tournaments there. But, no, mostly CC. I was pretty young when I committed.

McKeen's: How often does CC stay in contact with you during the season and what have they been saying lately?

Schwartz: Well, when you're younger, they can't really talk to you too much. Obviously, this year I've talked to them a little more, I'm only five hours away from them. So, I talk to them fairly often. They just tell me to keep going. They're really focused on me getting a playoff spot. They want me to get some playoff experience. So, they're just telling me to do that. But, other than that, they kind of let the coaches do their job here.

McKeen's: You're expected to be a higher round draft pick, and by higher I mean early. With that, a lot of times pressure comes to go the major junior route. Would you at all consider that if an NHL team wanted you to do that?

Schwartz: Yeah, I would consider it, if the NHL team wants me in the CHL. If they thought it was best for me, I'd definitely consider it.

McKeen's: With the draft, despite your pretty phenomenal production, Central Scouting had you 41st amongst North American skaters for the midterm rankings. What are some reasons you think CSS had you ranked in that area and not higher?

Schwartz: I'm not sure. That's not really something I can control. I just go out there and play and wherever they have me ranked at… If anything, I guess it'll give me a little bit of motivation to work harder and try to get up there. So, like I said, it's not something I control. So, I don't worry about it.

McKeen's: McKeen's had you at 16th overall in our midterm rankings, if that makes you feel any better. With the draft, what are your expectations with the draft? Do you have a goal for a range you're hoping to go at?

Schwartz: I'm not really sure right now. Right now, playoffs is pretty much all that's on my mind. But, I know the draft is coming up, and obviously I want to go as high as I can. It's every kid's dream to go first round. But, wherever you get drafted (pauses)… in the end, it's just an opportunity to play in the NHL, to start your dream. So, I'm not too worried about it. Anywhere I go, I'll be happy.

McKeen's: Between then and after the playoffs, there's the Combine, and considering where you're ranked, you'll probably be invited. So, what have you heard about the Combine and is there any point you foresee yourself starting to train for that in particular?

Schwartz: I heard it's a pretty tough couple days there. I'm only going to be there a couple days, so I've got to fit in the workout stuff and the interviews in a couple days. I've heard it's a grind, but I heard it's pretty fun. It's a good experience, too. So, I'm looking forward to it, and I'll start training right after the season for it.

McKeen's: If I were a director of amateur scouting advising my GM on draft day, or maybe a regional scout advising my director, what are some reasons my team should consider drafting Jaden Schwartz in the first round?

Schwartz: I think I'm just dedicated to working hard. I know it won't get to my head or anything like that. I'm going to work just as hard after the draft as I am before the draft. So, I think I'm capable of playing more than one role. On this team, I'm more offensive, I'm one of the top-end guys. So, I know that's my role, but when you're up there, I was kind of a first-line, penalty kill, and I was a top-end guy, and I think I played it fairly well. So, you know, whatever position they kind of want me in, I think I can do it.

McKeen's: Prospects of your caliber typically have an agent or, in your case, a family advisor. Do you have representation and, if I might ask, whom?

Schwartz: Yep. I'm with Newport, and Wade Arnott's my advisor.

McKeen's: How often does Wade keep in contact with you and what's he been saying lately?

Schwartz: Maybe a couple times every couple months, he kind of lets me keep focused on my game, but I really like Wade. He's a great advisor. He's kind of just saying the same thing as everyone, just to get in the playoff and help your team get in that, and that's what I'm trying to do. I think we'll talk more after the season about everything. But, he's been fairly happy with my season.

McKeen's: With your hockey career, when did you first start playing and how did you get that start?

Schwartz: I think just my parents. They had a great passion for the game. They had me on skates at about two and a half; and organized hockey, I think I started at about four. As soon as I was born, my brother and sister played hockey as well. So, when I was young, I'd go and watch them, and there's nothing else I want to do really but play hockey.

McKeen's: I'm aware of your brother, but how much older is your sister?

Schwartz: She's four years older. My brother's two years older.

[Note: Schwartz's sister, Mandi, who plays college hockey for Yale, has since been in the headlines because of her imminent need for a bone marrow transplant or cord blood transplant. To learn how you might possibly be able to save her life, visit http://natashasplace.org/Mandi_Public_Donation.html and/or http://www.onematch.ca/]

McKeen's: Good gaps there. For what different organizations did you skate for at the different age levels growing up?

Schwartz: I started out in Melfort at a young age, I played some organized hockey there. Then I moved to Emerald Park, Saskatchewan, and I played for the Prairie Storm there for a few years. Then my second year of pee wee I was up in Weyburn, and then after that I was in Notre Dame for four years, and then after that I came here.

McKeen's: To round things out, who were some of your favorite players earlier in your youth and who are some players today who you feel you're similar to or that you'd like to equate to?

Schwartz: I'm a big Joe Sakic fan. Growing up, he was always my idol. He's definitely my favorite player. Right now, I like Pavel Datsyuk and Sidney Crosby as well. So, those are a few of my favorites. I like Sidney Crosby because I think I do some things like him, but obviously I'm nowhere near as good as him. But, it's hard to tell right now. I want to be like guys in the NHL, because they're there, so I can't pick one particular guy.

McKeen's: As Andrej Sustr told me, you can learn something from everybody.

Schwartz: Yep. That's the truth.