Height: 6'4"
Weight: 201 lbs
Birthdate: October 14th, 1992 (18 years old)
Birthplace: St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
Acquired: Draft, 2nd round, 34th overall, 2011 NHL Entry Draft
2010-2011 Team: Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
2010-2011 Stats: 7 G - 9 A - 16 P - 159 PIM
2011-2012 Team: University of Denver Pioneers
Team Role: Top 4 D-Man
Last year: Mayfield absolutely dominated last year in the USHL. He was a complete shut down defenseman who would use his body and his excellent control of the puck to shut opponents out from creating any type of play near him. This is not a defenseman who shies away from the physical aspect of the game. Equally impressive was the speed Mayfield was able to show even having his rugged, 6'4" frame. If what Mayfield showed in terms of his play can carry over to Denver for this coming season, we're in for a real treat.
Expectations: Mayfield is also known for his offensive prowess, so he needs to step that up this year playing for Denver. Even though he is coming in as a freshman, he is the tallest and biggest player of the UD defense corps and should be getting top 4 minutes by the end of the year. The jump from the USHL to the NCAA is quite substantial and Mayfield will be playing against players who are 1, 2 and 3 years ahead of him both in years and in development. If he can continue to work on his body, build muscle and refine his hockey sense that certainly needed some work last year, Mayfield should become the number one D-man for Denver within a year or two. Mayfield definitely has some competition on the depth chart such as John Lee (2007 Panthers 5th round pick) and Dave Makowski, but as long as he continues to refine his game, he shouldn't have a problem finding a slot on the 2nd D pairing this year.
Projections: 40 GP - 10 G - 12 A - 22 P - 86 PIM
Thoughts:
AT: Just another gem out of the draft from Garth Snow, making the right pick at a great location in the draft. Originally thought to go in the late first round, Mayfield fell to us at 34. With comparisons to NHL greats like Chris Pronger and established d-men such as Victor Hedman, this pick really could end up being one of the steals of the draft. While as I mentioned his hockey sense, his offense and his body need work, Mayfield comes off as the complete D-man. If what we have here really matures into what his potential holds, well.. our D corps in a few years is looking mighty fine.
CH: Mayfield was drafted exactly where we rated him, pretty much, so right there you can call it a good value pick. He is going to a great program at Denver where he should get plenty of ice time and the ability to develop. Denver has recently developed prospects like Rhett Rakhshani, who was in the running for AHL Rookie of the Year, and Matt Donovan, a former USA WJC-20 member who is making is AHL debut this season. So right there you know he is in good hands. Obviously, Mayfield has great size and will need to use it as he fills into his body. He is a three to four year project, so we will not be seeing him any time soon, but like Alex says he does have very good potential. Given the fact that he filled an organizational need and is very skilled at his position, I'm very excited to see how he develops.
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