By Matthew Gourlie /

Standing 6-5, 215 pounds and blessed with strong skating ability and a physical edge, Dylan McIlrath of the Moose Jaw Warriors looks like the prototype for a stay-at-home defenceman.

In fact, the 17-year-old Warriors blueliner fits the mould so perfectly it’s a wonder it took him so long to become a full-time defenceman.

“Up until the year before I came (to Moose Jaw) it was my first full year of defence,” McIlrath said. “Last year, playing a full year of defence was a bit of a shock to me. I really learned a lot from (assistant coach Kevin Higo). I had never really had the coaching for 
defence before.”

In his second Western Hockey League campaign, McIlrath is settling into a more prominent role as a defenceman and looking more comfortable on the blueline.

McIlrath grew two inches and put on nearly 20 lbs. this past year. He feels it’s his confidence as much as his extra bulk that is leading to his more noticeable physical play in the early part of this season.

“I have a season under my belt and I’m more comfortable with the league,” said McIlrath. “I’m more aware on the ice. I know who I’m out against.”

McIlrath added that having better on-ice awareness is giving him the confidence to step up and make a big hit knowing that he has support behind him from his defensive partner or a forward.

The Winnipeg native was on the ice three times a week starting in June and was in the gym five days a week as soon as last season ended as he worked to get faster and stronger. He focused on his skating and getting his 
feet quicker.

“Being a bigger guy, there’s always that stereotype of a big d-man who can’t skate, but throughout minor hockey, I was a forward and I always tried to use my speed and size to my advantage,” McIlrath said. “I brought that to my defensive game the last two years. Speed is still something I need to work on, but I like to think I’m not a slow d-man.”

In McIlrath’s rookie year, he scored once and added three assists, while picking up 102 penalty minutes. While he has limited offensive upside, his play earned him a place on Team West for the World Under-17 
Hockey Challenge.

Being selected in the 2010 National Hockey League draft is an obvious goal for McIlrath, but he’s trying to focus on improving his game and team success.

“Travis Hamonic has been a huge role model for me,” McIlrath said of the Warriors’ co-captain. “He’s given me advice along the way. He went through the same situation two years ago when he was in his draft year.

“There’s a lot of pressure, but you just have to worry about your game. If you start worrying about the draft you’re not going to get drafted. You have to focus on your game and keep getting better.”