67’s Henry Mews in Buffalo for NHL Scouting Combine
Ottawa 67’s defenceman Henry Mews is in Buffalo for the NHL Scouting Combine, which begins on Monday, and will run until Saturday, in preparation for the draft in Las Vegas.
Mews is among 100 participants at the event, who will engage in one-on-one interviews with NHL clubs between June 3rd, and 7th. Medical examinations will take place on June 5th, and physical testing will be conducted on June 8th to wrap up the event, however, players can only test after clearing their medical screening.
Ranked 37th among North American skaters, Mews scored 61 points in 65 regular season games, including 15 goals. He played big roles in two international tournaments, winning gold at both the Hlinka Gretzky tournament, and the U18 World Juniors in Finland last month.
The offseason has been short thus far for the seventh overall pick at the 2022 OHL Priority Selection, but the hours in the gym and practicing interview questions with family have been long.
“Ever since I came back from Europe, I’ve been training for the Combine,” Mews said. “I’m doing my own tests at home before I go, and doing them each week to see if I’m improving. I’ve been working with my trainer, so I’ve been working hard for it.”
With his body of work already on tape, Mews is heading to the Combine pressure-free.
“Whatever happens, happens, that’s my mindset right now,” Mews said. “I’m focusing on next year, and putting in the work for that. I don’t really worry [about my draft position] anymore, I’m just focusing on getting bigger and stronger in the gym, and working on [weaknesses] I’ve been shown. I want to have a really good year next year, that’s my focus.”
The grandeur of the Combine isn’t entirely new for the Ottawa native, having competed at the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Moncton earlier in the season. There, he was interviewed numerous times by perspective NHL clubs, with the eyes of scouts glued to his every move.
There, he scored well in on-ice testing, topping the charts in the transition ability, and transition ability with puck drills, and finishing third in weave agility.
Last season, the Barber Poles sent both Luca Pinelli and Brad Gardiner to the NHL Scouting Combine.
The first round of the NHL Draft is set for June 28th, with the remaining six rounds following on June 29th. All seven rounds will be held at the Las Vegas Sphere.
