The future of the QMJHL is upon us. Going strictly off the QMJHL CSR’s Final List, I dive into some quick analysis on the 2023 draft class. In this edition I will be providing some analysis and scouting reports on players listed in the Top 10 of the QMJHL’s CSR List
Caleb Desnoyers F St-Hyacinthe Gaulois: Ultra-competitive, highly skilled playing making and scoring forward who can play both forward positions with relative ease, has all of the tools to be an effective power forward at the next level and beyond. Tons of pro potential, type of player that can skate for days and really drive offensive opportunities based on skill and will alone. Creates time and space for himself and teammates with his exceptional talent and puck skills in traffic, amazing edge work, speed for days, processes the game extremely well, great two-way presence, isn’t scared to go to the dirty areas, if anything this player embraces the challenge of one-on-one puck battles in all three zones. Desnoyers has dynamic release, it’s hard and accurate shot, This kid is about as Q ready as anyone I’ve in quite some time within the league, His touch around and soft hands in tight and around the net is next level, Caleb Desnoyers is going to be a difference maker for the team that selects him. It’s easy to make comparisons to that of his brother Eliott, but there’s no question he’s forging his own path in the game. The one comparable that is most noteworthy is no doubt his will to compete, character and drive. It’s those intangibles that have set both Desnoyers’ brothers apart from their counterparts.
Graphic Content Courtesy the QMJHL
Emile Guite F St-Hyacinthe Gaulois: dynamic skating creative power forward who has great offensive instincts, his edge control and agility are incredibly impressive, like many young power forwards, he will have to focus on the other side of the puck and his defensive game to ensure he reaches his full potential at the next level, especially to earn the coaches trust to put him on the ice in key situations when the game is on the line, Guite possesses game breaking qualities and can really take over games with elite offensive instincts and vision and passing ability, his puck skills are off the charts, just needs to bring more urgency to his game at times on the defensive side of the game especially back tracking to pucks
Zachary Morin F Detroit Little Ceaser’s: prototypical power forward, skates extremely well for his size, great vision and puck skills, pass first mentality which is great to see, always spots the open teammate, great passer and playmaker, great with the puck in traffic, tons of confidence and poise in those situations, phenomenal pro release, skates well enough and distributes pucks at an elite level to play the middle at the next level, but is definitely a natural when it comes to playing the wing position, his ability to find and accelerate into space and quiet areas of the ice in order to receive the puck is next level stuff which also showcases hockey IQ and awareness for the position and game. Doesn’t shy away from the dirty areas of the ice, complete player who is only going to get better and better with reps and experience at the next level, type of player who will continue to elevate his game when challenged, sky is the limit for this player
Matteo Nobert C Lac St-Louis Lions: good skater, high hockey IQ, solid two-way center, great vision and passing ability, will need to get stronger from an upper body perspective to ensure he wins his share of puck battles at the next level, doesn’t shy away from the dirty areas, will need to work on his explosiveness to win more puck races and battles at the next level, good stick in all three zones, great pucks skills and a very solid accurate release, great in the face off dot, tons of potential in this player, will be a solid piece to build around and will sure up the middle for the organization that drafts for many years
Alex Huang D St-Eustache Vikings: good skater, good agility, tremendous gap control and stick positioning, takes great routes to pucks, very confident and composed with the puck on his stick, solid puck skills, physical, two-and half zone defender, tremendous release, definitely projects to be a top tier defender almost instantly, jumps into the player very well, has great instincts to do so and really picks and chooses his spots very well, might need to work a little in lateral speed from a pivot perspective in one on one situations to reach his full potential at the next level, he won’t light the world on fire offensively, but he’s another player that can step in almost instantly and make any backend better, will sure up the team who drafts him defensive structure for many years to come
Nathan LeCompte C Chateauguay Grenadiers: Fantastic skater, amazing edge work, speed for days, processes the game extremely well, great two-way presence, very good in the face off dot, great stick offensive and defensive instincts, isn’t scared to go to the dirty areas of the ice to create time and space, solid release. Hard and accurate shot, will have to get a touch stronger upper body wise to make sure he wins his share of puck battles at the next level, his offensive instincts and ability to get to the net and create time and space coupled with his grit will definitely translate to the next level almost instantly, this kid is going to be a massive point getter, every time he’s on the ice, he creates and the puck has a way of finding him
Cole Chandler C Dartmouth Steel Subaru U18 Solid skater, great puck skills and patience with the puck in all three zones, great hands in tight or in one on one situations, good in the face off dot, great on the forecheck, really hunts down pucks effectively, solid two way player, good vision, good passer and distributor of the puck, Will need to work on some explosiveness to excel and be a top center at the next level, but definitely possesses all the tools to be solid point getter and key contributor at the Q level,
Shawn Carrier C Trois-Rivieres Estacades : Good skater and solid edge control, will have to get more explosive to ensure he wins races at the next level, Smart player, good hockey sense, solid playmaker and possesses good individual skills, relentless on the forecheck and in all three zones, hunts pucks, solid two-way presence, good in the face-off dot, good escapability and puck skills in traffic, hard accurate shot, will need to get stronger from an upper body perspective to ensure he excels at the next level and wins puck battles at the center position,
Olivier Lampron F St-Eustache Vikings: strong skater, quite agile for his size, good puck skills, good on the half boards in his own zone, power forward potential, plays a heavy gritty two-way game, definitely a player that can play up and down the lineup and fulfill any role or identity when called upon. Possesses a good release, and good hands in tight, as the potential to score a ton of goals by going to dirty areas of the ice every time out.
Owen Conrad D Weeks Majors
Saying Owen Conrad has pro potential is a massive understatement. He’s a tremendously strong skater who has solid puck skills, his first pass and vision are off the charts, he transitions pucks extremely well and isn’t afraid to skate the puck out of trouble if needed. His mobility and edge control are amazing for his size and stature, his composure with and without the puck definitely stands out, his ability to make plays along the offensive blue line and instincts to jump into the rush are also outstanding. He has a very good stick in all three zones, His gap control is unique, he will need to refine his first step slightly when skating backwards, but has developed that aspect of his game as the season progressed. The sky’s the limit for this kid, it doesn’t take long to notice you’re watching a future pro when you see Owen Conrad play the game and position, Lists are lists and rankings are rankings, it’s surprising to see Conrad ranked at the 10th position, that’s not taking anything away from others, but Owen Conrad has the potential to go a lot higher in the draft, there’s no question he’s probably a lot higher than that on many QMJHL teams lists and at the end of the day that’s all that matters,
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