Q & A with Edmonton Oil Kings Prospect Griffin Reinhart
At 6′4″, 205 lbs, defenseman Griffin Reinhart has the size to make NHL scouts salivate at just 16-years-old, but the scary thing is, he has the skill as well. The Vancouver native played as an under-ager for the Hollyburn A1 Huskies in 2008-09, and led them to a provincial title scoring 18 points in 6 playoff games. A big reason the Edmonton Oil Kings selected Reinhart 3rd overall in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft. This season he spent his time playing with the Major Midget Vancouver North West Giants, putting up 9 goals and 25 assists in 32 regular season games, and helped them capture the League Championship. The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree, as Griffin is the son of former NHL defenseman Paul Reinhart, who scored 560 points over his 648 game NHL career, with the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks. The bloodlines don’t stop there though, as his older brother Max is a center for the Kootenay Ice, and put up 51 points in 72 games this season. All the signs point to Griffin Reinhart having the makings of a great blueliner one day. Which is something the Oil Kings are counting on. I had the chance to catch up with the young phenom, for a quick Q & A session.
Obviously your father Paul was an outstanding defenseman with the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks, how much has he influenced you thus far in your hockey career?
Griffin: My Dad has been a huge part of my success in minor hockey so far. He is a big reason I started playing the game in the first place. He has helped in ways, such as coaching, and giving me advice that others didn’t have to offer.
What are the strengths of your game, and what would you like to improve moving forward?
Griffin: I feel I have many strong area’s to my game, such as shot, puck moving and I’m very mobile for a big guy. Everyone needs to work on skating, so I think I could try and improve on that.
What’s your most memorable moment in hockey so far?
Griffin: Beating the North Shore Winter Club in my first year Bantam. It was a big upset with us winning 2-0.
Best goal you’ve ever scored?
Griffin: In the Mac’s Tournament gold medal game this season against the UFA Bisons, I scored in the third to make it 2-1, and it was the winner.
Most embarrassing moment during a game?
Griffin: I try to forget the few times that it actually happens, so I wont say any haha.
Who is the player you most think compares to your style in the NHL?
Griffin: I like to look up to Shea Weber.
Players like to talk trash during the games, anything stand out in your head as the funniest hockey chirp you’ve heard?
Griffin: I’ve heard many good ones, but the one that stands out is someone from are bench is telling a guy off a neutral zone faceoff how much he sucks. The guy wasnt very good, but he turned around and said, “Guys, I know I suck but please dont beak me.” and are bench went silent. I thought it was very funny.
You were a plus 3 in 2 games played with the Edmonton Oil Kings this year, pretty good numbers for a 16-year-old defenseman, what was that experience like?
Griffin: It was the most fun I’ve ever had playing hockey. Everything was a big step up, not just size, but shots were harder, the skating was significantly faster and the puck movement was excellent. So again, everything was a big step up from Midget.
Do you have a favorite pump up song before game time?
Griffin: I listen to whatever is playing. Nothing in particular.
Who is your favorite NHL team?
Griffin: Vancouver Canucks
Your dad was nicknamed “Rhino” during his playing days, did that get carried over to you, or have you got yer own?
Griffin: Yes, that has for sure carried over, I get called that a lot.
What does a 6′4″, 200 lbs, 16-year-old like to eat before game time? Haha, your poor parents must have a big grocery bill.
Griffin: I actually dont eat a lot surprisingly, haha. Just what a regular kid would eat I guess.
