By Greg Harder /

Jordan ‘The Real Deal’ Weal is living up to his nickname.

The 16-year-old Regina Pats centre didn’t waste any time jumping up to the head of the class among WHL rookies this season.

After seven games, Weal led all first-year skaters with 11 points, including three goals. He also posted a shootout winner and was the first player this season to receive the player-of-the-week award.

“Definitely, it’s a real boost to get a few points in the beginning of the season to get comfortable and know you can do it,” Weal told the Regina Leader-Post. “You have to feel good when you’re producing for the team. It’s also a team game so you have to thank the guys you’re playing with. They really contributed and put the puck in the net.”

Despite his age, Weal is already a front-line performer for Regina. His early success earned him a spot on the No. 1 line between veteran wingers Jordan Eberle and Michael MacAngus.

“He deserves to be there,” offered head coach Dale Derkatch. “He’s got skill, he’s smart, he’s an exciting player to watch. We want to win games and he can help us.”

Weal is no stranger to the spotlight, having captured the B.C. Major Midget scoring title last season with 39 goals and 100 points in 40 games. The 5-8, 158-pounder was also called up by the Pats for seven games, including four in the playoffs.

“It’s a really high level here and you don’t get as many (scoring) chances in this league so you have to really bear down on the ones you get,” noted Weal. “I just try to stay consistent every game and come out with the same effort — play hard and it’ll come. Every game I get more confident.”

Weal, a fourth-round pick in the 2007 bantam draft, has already drawn comparisons to Eberle, who was an instant sensation at the same age. Weal is a quicker version of his linemate, but they have a similar makeup in that they’re both small, skilled players with excellent vision.

“If he’s anything like I think he is, he’s a competitor and you want that, you want those expectations,” said Derkatch. “But (it’s important) that you don’t get too high or too low. You try to stay in the middle. Hopefully he stays healthy is the thing. You can see the (difference in) size and strength.

“Sometimes you’re maybe not ready for the big guys in the league going after him a little bit, but I think he’ll be OK.”

PATS PIECES: All five of Regina’s NHL draft picks returned in the second week of the regular season: Eberle (Edmonton), D Colten Teubert (Los Angeles), D Matt Delahey (New Jersey), RW Brett Leffler (Washington) and G Linden Rowat (Kings) ... C Mitch Czibere, recently acquired from Vancouver, is out indefinitely with a knee injury.