Halifax Mooseheads general manager Cam Russell’s job this summer may have gotten a whole lot easier.The Halifax Mooseheads announced today that Mackenzie “Mac” Weegar of the Nepean Raiders will commit to the team for the 2012-13 season.
Weegar reported to the Mooseheads training camp this past summer after being acquired by trade from the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies just after the OHL Waiver draft.
A relative unknown to most who follow the Mooseheads, the offensive defenseman turned heads at camp, with a lot of fans predicting him to make the opening night line-up. Unfortunately for Weegar, the play of Josh Desmond and Mitchell Shewfelt couldn’t guarantee that spot.
With the NCAA eligibility deadline looming, Weegar informed the team he would not be remaining at camp, leaving the team and fans wondering what the future held. The question will now be about where Weegar will fit into next seasons depth chart.
Weegar’s offensive talents, if able to translate to the major junior level will solve a lot of problems that Russell was going to face this offseason. Weegar is second in defensive scoring in the Central Canada Tier 1 Junior Hockey League at just over a point per game. His 10 Goals and 44 points in 43 games lag only behind teammate Ryan Johnston. The Mooseheads will be expecting Weegar’s offense to fill the void that will inevitably be left when Konrad Abeltshauser, Halifax’s current offensive leader from the blue line, turns pro at the conclusion of this season.
The arrival of Weegar should also give Russell a few more assets to work with this offseason. The Mooseheads will still need to find at least one top pairing defenseman if they want to compete on the national level. Possibly two, if Steve Gillard is unable to recover from his concussion and return to past form. This will leave Desmond, Shewfelt, Austyn Hardie, newly acquired Brendan Duke and prospect Brian Lovell competing for the three remaining spots. This will leave Russell with some tough choices this summer as two of those names will likely be included in a move to acquire needed 20-year-old players.
Weegar currently stands at 5-11 and 183-pounds according to NHL Central Scouting who also have the right hander ranked 160th among North American skaters leading into the 2012 NHL draft.
