By Craig Slater, Leader-Post

Lane Scheidl's value to the Regina Pats extends far beyond the stat sheet.

His presence is felt in the dressing room, on the bench and even at the dinner table.

The 20-year-old forward has developed into a true leader on a young roster of players that could use additional guidance from a peer.

"It's something I was really looking forward to this year with this team," Sc-heidl said prior to Monday's practice at the Brandt Centre. "I wanted to become a more established leader in the dressing room and on the ice. We do have a young team here, so I wanted to assert myself more as that leader."

How so? Well, Scheidl doesn't discriminate when it comes to displaying his leadership qualities.

The rugged winger played a pivotal role in the Pats' 4-3 comeback victory on Saturday over the visiting Everett Silvertips. Scheidl assisted on all three of his team's goals in the decisive third period.

Off the ice, Scheidl also is lending a hand to his teammates.

"You take the younger guys out for supper when you can and try to get to know them a little better away from the rink," he said. "You say things on the bench and hold the guy accountable for things. There are a bunch of different ways you can do things."

The Saskatoon product explained it's a leadership role he was groomed for thanks to the veteran players he was around when he was breaking into the league. Scheidl mentioned Colin Archer, a defenceman who wore the captain's C in Red Deer for three seasons, as a mentor. He also listed former Pats captains like Garrett Mitchell and Brandon Davidson as veterans he valued as a younger player.

This season, Scheidl was awarded the role of assistant captain.

"He earned that," Pats head coach Pat Conacher said. "We don't give those things away. We don't give those to guys just because they're the oldest on the team. You give those to the right people who walk the walk on and off the ice.

"He showed us in training camp that he came back in great shape. He was definitely one of our best players in camp every day. It wasn't just his speed, either. He was physical and he was pushing the other guys. He was being vocal and he was helping the younger guys. He was the guy."

Scheidl registered 27 goals and 55 points in 70 games last season with the Pats. He has four goals and 11 points in 11 games so far in this campaign. But Conacher said it's Scheidl's contributions off the ice that led to his earning a letter on his sweater and a larger role with the team in 2012-13.

"Coaches are just coaches, and that's why we need those older guys," Con-acher said. "Young players learn more from the older guys on the team, good and bad. If Lane didn't do all of those other things off the ice, I don't care how good you are on the ice, I wouldn't have him here."

cslater@leaderpost.com