The 26-year-old has played with both, having crossed to Alberton from Windy Hill during last year's Gillette Trade Period.
Having watched Heppell explode onto the scene and finish his debut season as the 2011 NAB AFL Rising Star, Monfries said Wingard had similar qualities of leadership and maturity.
"Chad's right up there as one of the best young talents I've seen."
Monfries remembered the first time he saw Wingard in action – he saw a player who found space, was never rushed, had clean skills and moved really well.
Under the guidance of Power assistant and former Adelaide legend Tyson Edwards in particular, Wingard, 19, has taken a huge step forward in his second season in the AFL.
He's increased his average disposal count from 13 to almost 23 a game this year and he's developed a knack of standing up in clutch moments, as he did when he booted the game-sealer against the Sydney Swans last weekend.
Wingard is the Power's eighth-ranked player in Official AFL Playing Ratings, brought to you by Vero, and 188th overall.
"He's great in traffic, courageous, uses the ball well … you'd probably say he's knocking on the door of the All Australian - as a 19-year-old that is just an amazing effort," Monfries said.
"The sky's really the limit with what he can do as a player; he could be something special."
Halfway through his first season at Port Adelaide, Monfries says he is in the most consistent form of his 162-game career.
He has reveled in increased freedom under Power coach Ken Hinkley after saying he was pigeonholed as a small forward at Essendon.
Although he talked up his increased consistency, Monfries admitted his accuracy in front of goal had been a disappointment.
He has booted 16.14 this season, compared to his 72 per cent conversion rate in 2011.
"My goal kicking's let me down a little bit this year, I haven't been as accurate as I would have liked," he said.
"It's hard to put a finger on exactly what's been going wrong – but I'm aware it's been an issue … I just have to keep working hard on it at training and it'll turn.
"You work hard to get a shot on goal and you want to finish it off, because they're pretty hard to get."
Harry Thring is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Harry.
