The Cats Claw

The Cats Claw: 1^st Edition

Desnoyers On the Radar for World Junior Invite?

We all know the optics, we all know it’s a “19 year-old’s” tournament, but is Caleb Desnoyers on the Team Canada’s 2025 World Junior radar?

Given his success on the international stage and versatility Desnoyers would be an incredibly serviceable player for Canada even at 17 years old. The highly touted forward is coming off an upper body injury that had him sidelined for 10 days. In true “Desnoyers” fashion, the kid returned in only his second game back and promptly put up a 5-point night last night versus the Saint John Sea Dogs in front of 15 plus NHL scouts.

Photo Credit Daniel St Louis

Again, there’s a big difference between getting an invite and legitimately vying for a roster spot at 17. Historically Team Canada have offered up roster spots for high profile “underagers” and draft eligible players, but there’s no question Desnoyers would be in tough to land an invite or a roster spot given the depth of talent and the lofty expectations given the disappointing outcome in last year’s event.

One would think Desnoyers’ ability to play both forward positions, two-way presence and skill set to play up and down the lineup would definitely earn him some consideration as a potential “13^th forward” for the club.

 All the experts and prognosticators probably don’t even have the young forward on their radar simply because “it’s not his time,” but putting up 5 points last night showcasing his complete arsenal of skills in  front of the “Hockey Canada” Braintrust that was in attendance last night would definitely be intriguing to say the least.

Caleb Desnoyers just gets it, he’s the real deal, he shows up and plays to his identity and full potential every time he laces them up.

A Ton of A’s, But No C Yet

This isn’t former Moncton Wildcats beat reporter Neil Hodge’s mid-season report card, but there’s been a ton of “A’s”, but no “C” yet for the 2024-2025 Wildcats.

Obviously, Yoan Loshing wore the “C” for the Cats a season ago, so to see all “A’s” on jersey’s instead of one predominant “C” was a little unsettling for some people.

Photo Credit Daniel St Louis

Wearing a letter or not wearing a letter doesn’t make you any more or any less of a leader. That’s about as cliché’ as it comes, but that’s the reality of it.

The Wildcats new regime have certainly set the tone on and off the ice and the newly anointed number one ranked team in the nation continues to live life in the crosshairs of the QMJHL, but realistically not having one player named as a captain isn’t that big of a deal.

The obvious questions remain, who will be the captain of the 2024-2025 Moncton Wildcats? When are they going to name a captain?

Is there a trial period, is there an ongoing audition for that role or is it leadership by committee for the Cats the rest of the way?

I haven’t got the slightest clue and quite frankly, it really doesn’t matter because the Wildcats aren’t short on leadership especially with the likes of overager Markus Vidicek entering the fold. For now, there’s a ton of “A’s” and no “C” for the Cats.

Throwing it Back

Simon Mullen has been outstanding to start the season. One could say last night’s performance was a “tough one” for the rookie rearguard, but those nights will happen. That kid will respond, will learn from that experience and continue to progress. There’s no question Mullen is a “throwback” defensive defencemen who transitions pucks efficiently and effectively. There’s no flash or dash in Simon Mullen’s game, just hard nosed in your face defensive structure with smart and effective puck moving ability. It’s so refreshing to see a smart defensive defenseman play the game and position with so much passion and precision.

Mullen’s journey to this point of his career is certainly noteworthy and I will have more on that in the upcoming weeks. You see you won’t see Mullen out there in every situation, and you probably haven’t noticed him a ton either, and that’s perfectly ok because that’s exactly how he plays the game and position, (extremely quietly effective) but you can bet your ass he’s out there kicking ass in a very quiet efficient way. Simon Mullen is a throwback defender and that’s a great thing to see. (Photo Credit Daniel St Louis)