The story of Jake McGrew in the WHL has been one about potential. The 1999-born right wing was an eighth round pick in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft. The Spokane Chiefs got him there because there was some concern that the Orange, California native would be going the NCAA route.
The Chiefs took him with a pick based on potentially getting him to commit to the WHL.
His 16-year-old season, he piled up 47 points in 32 games with the L.A. Junior Kings U16 team. After potting nine points in five games at USA Hockey’s Select 17 Development Camp, the hype for his first year in the WHL, as a 17-year-old was growing.
Then he suffered a knee injury in the preseason and missed the entire 2016-17 season.
Despite that, the San Jose Sharks drafted McGrew in the sixth round of the 2016 NHL Draft.
McGrew was back as an 18-year-old and after he got his legs under him, he put up 19 goals and 19 assists for 38 points in 65 games.
In the playoffs, he found another gear, connecting on a potent line for Spokane with Luke Toporowski and Eli Zummack and forcing the favored Portland Winterhawks into a seven-game series. McGrew had six points in the series.
Off the strength of his late-season play, McGrew found himself with an invite to throw on USA Hockey’s jersey and play at the World Junior Summer Showcase in Kamloops this summer.
McGrew was ecstatic to get the call inviting him to impress at the WJSS.
“I was excited. I sat out that whole year and had to work to get back. I think it’s an honor after all of my hard work. I was just excited and I was ready,” McGrew said.
If McGrew wanted to talk to someone who has played at the WJSS, he need look no further than Chiefs teammate Kailer Yamamoto. The Spokane, WA native played at the 2016 and 2017 WJSS. He did not end up making the 2017 World Juniors roster for USA Hockey, but he did in 2018 and played a key role on the squad.
“I learned a lot just playing with him. Just how professional he is, how he has a really high compete level and how serious he is coming to work every day. As for this tournament, the most he said was enjoy it and it’s a small window that you have to impress – enjoy it and do your best.”
McGrew played two games for Team USA Blue, but was sent home after the two rosters – White and Blue – were cut down to one.
The experience playing with and against some of the best under-20 players in the world will be another notch in the belt for McGrew, who is poised to have a big year.
The 2018-19 campaign has some added important for McGrew as he has yet to sign an entry-level contract with the Sharks and would be a free agent if he does not sign by this summer.
Regardless of what happens with the Sharks, McGrew knows that his Spokane squad is looking strong and he will be relied upon more so than in the past.
“I think we are going to have a really strong team. I’m exited. I’m going to play a bigger role this year I hope. I’m excited to get started up there and get the season going.”
