JEFF
WINCHESTER
Alabama-Huntsville
Sr. | D | Dalhousie, New Brunswick
Winchester is known more for his passing ability than
his shot.
Key
Statistics: Winchester had just 11 total points in
his first two seasons at UAH before exploding for 21 as a
junior. He ranked fifth on the team in scoring and tied for
third among College Hockey America defensemen. All but one
of his points came on assists. In fact, he’s averaging
just more than a goal per season in college (four tallies
in three years). Oddly, his one marker last season came short-handed.
What He Does: Few would argue that Winchester
was the “fifth man” on the Chargers’ top
power-play unit last year. He didn’t draw near the acclaim
afforded the other four guys in the group – forwards
Jared Ross, Craig Bushey and Bruce Mulherin and defenseman
Jeremy Schreiber – but skating alongside those dangerous
players surely contributed to the crooked numbers suddenly
appearing in his points column. Winchester is a heady player
who is more than willing to silently do his job while others
endure the spotlight (he even declined to be interviewed for
this profile). He has nice size (listed at 6-3, 205), a decent
shot and a refined passing ability.
The Bigger Picture: With Ross and Bushey
lost to graduation, Winchester might see his assists drop
a bit this year. He probably won’t be given any added
offensive responsibility, given that Schreiber, his defensive
partner, is the more dynamic of the two to begin with. The
UAH coaching staff wouldn’t mind seeing Winchester pop
a few more into the net, but that’s not a must. What’s
more important is that he continue to be a steady force on
the blue line, because he and Schreiber will be matched against
the opponent’s top line night after night. Assistant
coach Lance West says Winchester has lost about 20 pounds
since arriving in Alabama, down to a more-manageable 210-215.
The trimmer physique has quickened his stride going both forward
and laterally.
UAH assistant coach Lance West on Winchester:
"He has the best combination of size and skill of anyone
in my six years here. He likes to hit – he has a little
nasty streak when he needs to. And everybody likes him because
he’s a fun guy in the locker room. Kind of the joker-type.”
