Returning Winterhawk Profile: #22 Alex Schoenborn

(Editors Note: In the countdown to the season opener on September 19th vs. Seattle; I will be looking, individually, at each returning Winterhawk).

Next up (in numerical fashion): #22 Alex Schoenborn

Born: 12/12/1995
Hometown: Minot, North Dakota
Position: Right Wing
How Acquired: Signed on 1/9/2012, after being added to the protected list.

NHL Drafted: San Jose 3rd Round (#72 Overall) Pick in 2014. Unsigned.

Stats:
-2012/13: 20 Games Played, 1 Goal, 1 Assist, 2 Points, -2, 2 Penalty Minutes.
-2013/14: 72 GP, 18 G, 18 A, 36 Pts, +19, 121 PIMs.
              Playoffs: 21 GO, 2 G, 3 A, 5 Pts, 41 PIMs.

Analysis:
-Schoenborn was the undrafted U.S. player that came in with the most hype, as he had been drafted in the first round of the USHL Futures draft in 2011 and seemed a lock to go to the NCAA. Instead he seemed completely unprepared for the WHL level and after fighting through a midseason injury, could not adjust and ended up being loaned to the Wenatchee Wild of the NAHL in January of 2013. Schoenborn's career might have been saved by the fact that he had a late birthday and was not eligible for that year's draft and had another season to showcase himself. Portland gave him every opportunity to do this as he was put on the Hawks top line with Nic Petan and Brendan Leipsic to start the season. He ended up finding a much better fit on the 3rd (checking) line with Dominic Turgeon and Keegan Iverson.

Alex is adept at using his size (6'4" 194 lbs) and has surprising speed and stick-handling abilities. He was probably the most improved Winterhawk last season, as he threw his weight around and even had 2 multi-goal nights. He still lacked consistency, but improved enough to be taken with  San Jose's 3rd round pick. Schoenborn had 121 penalty minutes on the season and did not hesitate to drop the mitts.

Outlook:
-Schoenborn should be back from San Jose to start the season and could really use the increased ice time that he will see with the Petan's and Bjorkstrand's still gone. Regardless, it appears he will be given 2nd line time with Chase De Leo and Dominic Turgeon and if he keeps improving he has the type of power forward skills that could get hm signed by San Jose. If Alex continues to show some improvement in the defensive zone, as well, he could see some penalty kill time as well.

He will definitely benefit from choosing the WHL though, as his physical play gets more attention in the Dub. With increased ice time, especially when Portland is missing other players, he could be a 40 goal scorer.

Previous Returning Winterhawk Profiles: Nic, Petan, Tyson Predinchuk, Keegan Iverson, Adam De Champlain, Chase De Leo, Paul Bittner, Josh Hanson, Ethan Price, Anton Cederholm, Brendan Burke