The rookie scoring race in the QMJHL might be a one-horse race, but there’s a pair of Moncton Wildcats trying to claw their way up the leaderboard. The definition of “rookie” has always been open for interpretation in the Q, especially with so many first year Euro’s coming into the fold. Obviously, Raoul Boilard’s stellar campaign continues with 48 points in 50 games for the Baie-Comeau Drakkar. Boilard along with his brother’s arrival in the QMJHL has been a game changer for the Drakkar.
Julius Sumpf and Caleb Desnoyers currently sit 3rd and 4th in rookie scoring and have missed their share of games due to injury and well luggage issues. In 40 games, Sumpf has 14 goals and 23 assists for 37 points while Desnoyers has 11 goals and 25 assists for 36 points in 39 games.
Sumpf is highly effective scoring two-way center with great vision and puck distribution skills, he’s a sneaky, deceptive player who definitely has an extra gear in open ice. He skates extremely well, he’s strong on pucks in all three zones, but it take him some time to adjust to the league. Sumpf has an incredibly underrated accurate release, he’s catching a lot of netminders by surprise, can really rip the puck, his processing is extremely good and he makes all the subtle plays in traffic with relative ease. He will need to continue to get a stronger to ensure he wins puck battles at the next level, but here’s a kid that skates well enough to play through the middle at the pro level.
His play lately has taken a little dip, which happens from time to time. Clearly he did score a couple of goals lately, but his overall two-way game has struggled as of late, but no doubt will pick up again given his new linemates, Gabe Smith and overage rock Connor Trenholm. That trio has been exception for a struggling Cats team trying to rediscover their identity.
As for Caleb Desnoyers, his overall game has slightly dipped as well. It’s a long season especially for a 16 year old, who has battled injuries, but yet logs massive minutes in every situation. Don’t get me wrong, he is still very effective, but doesn’t have the same jump and jam than he showed even a few weeks ago.
For a rookie, with all the pressure in the world, Desnoyers continues to play like a grizzled veteran. There’s no question Caleb Desnoyers is a special player and a star in the making. You can throw all of the descriptors you want out there to describe Desnoyers and they would all perfectly align with his skill set, but most of all his character which far exceeds that of most players his age.
As I wrote recently one NHL scout hit the nail on the head, saying Caleb Desnoyers “just gets it.” Obviously, Desnoyers’ story and complete immersion and ascension in the game of hockey is well documented. Nevertheless, it’s incredibly rare for such a young player to understand and fully comprehend all of the subtleties and nuances that sets players apart, “he just gets it,” he plays the game and his position the right way every time he steps on the ice.
The Moncton Wildcats have had their share of young stars over the years, but Desnoyers enters the fold not as a “savior” of the organization, but as the potential “answer” to the Wildcats championship drought.
Desnoyers lets his play on the ice do the talking. He’s not cocky, entitled or flashy, he just gets the job done, every time he steps on the ice. He doesn’t cheat offensively, he doesn’t shy away from the dirty areas of the ice, if anything he welcomes and cherishes that aspect of the game and center position.
Wildcats Head Coach Dan Lacroix eased him into the lineup by playing him on the wing in the bottom six for the first few games of the season to ensure he gained some early traction, but it was clear from the get-go, Desnoyers was more than ready to step in and be an impact player. The future star now finds himself centering the Wildcats top line and playing in every situation.
Some comparisons are unfair, but I find he plays a similar style of game to that of Philadelphia Flyers star forward Sean Courturier. I wrote this scouting report on Desnoyers last June having watched the kid online. He has even surpassed my expectations in his brief but remarkable first foray in the QMJHL.
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 seen 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.
The QMJHL “Rookie” scoring race might be out of reach for this pair of Wildcats, but they won’t go and will make things interesting coming down the stretch due in large to their identity and competitiveness.
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