Have you ever worked your arse off studying for a test knowing full well you’re ready for it and then struggle on it? We have all done that, it’s part of the life lessons we have all learned throughout our time in school. The same can be said of a big presentation or job interview or anything for that matter that involves an evaluation, an assessment or test. You think you’re ready, you think you have put in the right amount of time and energy into something and than all of the sudden you realize that you haven’t.
It’s test time for the Moncton Wildcats and you can bet your arse their teacher has them ready for their next test in the Val d’Or Foreurs.
Sometimes you underestimate the test, sometimes you don’t put enough time into believing you’re better than you are and that you’re more than prepared for it, but then all of the sudden the teacher provides a different approach or changes up the expectations. Unfortunately, some teachers might even throw a curve ball and test material you haven’t even covered as a group to make you think and adjust on the fly.
As you move forward in school, life and in sport “test day” takes on and entirely new complexion. The same can be said about the playoffs, each round provides a different test, a different subject area and a new opportunity to learn about your opponent and what their made of, but also learn what you’re made of.
On paper, this second round series looks about as lopsided as the regular season standings with regards to the Wildcats and Foreurs, but that’s all in the past now and the Foreurs come into this round having knocked off one of the top teams in the circuit and provided the CHL with perhaps one of the largest upset they have seen in a long time.
Improvise, Adapt, Overcome
The Moncton Wildcats have dominated the Foreurs outscoring them 15 to 4 in their two meetings this season. Again, on paper this might be shaping up as a definite sweep in favour of the Wildcats, but you don’t play the game on paper you play it on the ice. If the Wildcats show up and play their brand of hockey they will continue to put up big numbers on the board. To say the Foreurs are a different team than the Wildcats faced in the regular season would be a slight underestimate given their recent success, but like the test that you think you’re going to ace and bomb the Cats have to be ready for anything and expect the unexpected. In terms of preparation, they haven’t had a shit ton of time to prep for the Foreurs. Clearly the Wildcats don’t have to improvise, but they will have to adapt to their new opponent on the defensive side of things to take all of the hope, believability and will to compete away from the Foreurs very early on in the series.
The Foreurs have two high powered offensive lines that can match any teams top 6 across the Q and they that can do a lot of damage if they are given time and space out there. Collectively the Wildcats have to trust their defensive structure, play connected and play to their identity. They can’t afford to give up as many odd man rushes as they did against the Sea Dogs, because the Foreurs will make them pay off the rush.
The Wildcats love to get out there on the rush and push the pace and force teams to chase, but getting into back-and-forth affair with the Foreurs is less than ideal. We all know the Cats are wickedly deep which could in fact be their most potent weapon of all, but the Foreurs would welcome and love to play a wide-open brand of attack and transitional hockey because they can and will inflict some damage. If the Foreurs get spectacular goaltending and really focus on locking things down and keep Moncton to the outside and perimeter they could in fact, make things kind of interesting. As far as “overcoming” the Wildcats, the Foreurs would have to play four almost perfect games just to have a chance and even then that might not be enough to beat the Cats in the 7 game series, but stranger things have happened, just ask the Drummondville Voltigeurs.
Game Breakers and Two Way Players
“They are a problem.” Perhaps that’s the biggest compliment any athlete could be given when their name is brought up in video sessions.
Phillipe Veilleux is a problem, and the Moncton Wildcats better treat him like that, or they might find out the hard way. You see Phillipe Veilleux is a game breaker, there’s no other way to put it. He’s arguably one of the purest elite level scoring forwards in the entire league and has had a terrific junior career so far, but sadly he hasn’t been drafted perhaps due to his play away from the puck and compete level when things get hard and tough. I’ll say this, I love how Veilleux plays the game, but he needs to be a driver every time he’s on the ice in every situation and in my opinion his consistency at times just hasn’t been.
Here’s some of my scouting reports on Veilleux over the years.
From 2023 QMJHL Entry Draft Scouting Report:
16 Philippe Veilleux F College Charles Lemoyne Riverains : Highly skilled gritty two-way winger with great speed, doesn’t shy away from the dirty areas of the ice to create time and space for himself, really drives offensive opportunities with his speed and precision on the forecheck, extremely high compete level coupled with great puck skills, thinks the game incredibly well and does everything at top speed, phenomenal release, here’s a player that coaches can trust to put on the ice in any situation, definitely a player that can play up or down the line up, definitely a player that can score and contribute at the next level, given his shot, he will excel as the trigger man on any power play,
From my 2025 NHL Draft Reports:
Philippe VEILLEUX – VAL-D’OR – LW (B+ Rating) Highly skilled gritty two-way winger with great speed, doesn’t shy away from the dirty areas of the ice to create time and space for himself, really drives offensive opportunities with his speed and precision on the forecheck, extremely high compete level coupled with great puck skills, thinks the game incredibly well and does everything at top speed, phenomenal release, here’s a player that coaches can trust to put on the ice in any situation, definitely a player that can play up or down the line up, definitely a player that can score and contribute at the next level, given his shot, he will excel as the trigger man on any power play, phenomenal pro release, scored a beauty and silenced the entire crowd with that shot and goal! Veilleux is type of a player that coaches can trust to put on the ice in any situation, definitely a player that can play up or down the line up, definitely a player that can score and contribute at the next level, given his shot, he will excel as the trigger man at the Q level, Obviously, everyone will look at his size as a setback, but this kid can flat out play and seems to welcome any challenge, obstacle or criticism in his way, His “give a shit” factor is off the charts. Here’s a kid that will continue to put up big numbers
My first report this year after seeing Val d’Or play Moncton and my final thoughts: Philippe Veilleux (Passed through a year ago, I see someone definitely taking a chance on him this year 6th or 7th round, tons of talent needs to drive more and show that he has jam on a more consistent basis) Yet another Foreurs player that didn’t standout and had a very tough outing vs the Wildcats was Phillipe Veilleux. This kid is highly skilled gritty two-way winger with great speed, who usually doesn’t shy away from the dirty areas of the ice to create time and space for himself, but something was missing vs the Cats which was unfortunate especially given the fact that he was passed over a year ago. Veilleux can really drive offensive opportunities with his speed and precision on the forecheck, which was lacking, obviously there was spirts of it during the game, but not nearly enough jump and jam. Everyone is well aware of what he can bring to the table, but I just didn’t see enough of it from Veilleux. The points will come and take care of itself, but if Veilleux wants to drafted this year he will have to bring even more grit, compete and consistency to his game.
Usually his “give a shit” factor is off the charts, it wasn’t present vs the Cats and at the end of the day, scouts at the NHL level, want to see how players react when they don’t have their “A game” and Veilleux’ “B Game” wasn’t near good enough on a night that the entire team was struggling. The Foreurs needed a spark from one of their top guys and unfortunately it just didn’t happen. Veilleux has the skill and capability to carry a team and he will continue to do that for his hockey club for the rest of the campaign, but in order for him to get noticed and selected he will have to continue to up the ante
The Moncton Wildcats will have to be aware any time and, in any situation Veilleux is on the ice. He’s the type of player that if he gets hot could impact multiple games and a series if allowed to free wheel out there. As far as game breakers go, the Wildcats have their share as well, but when it comes to a two way presence, Moncton have a plethora of players that care about the other side of the puck which will bode very well moving forward. The Wildcats fourth line could be tasked with shutting down the Foreurs top guys, but they can also put up some offensive numbers. Read more about the Wildcats fourth line below.
The Rudy Show, Until It’s Not
As Rudy Guimond goes the Moncton Wildcats go. It’s evident that the Wildcats championship hopes rests firmly upon Guimond’s shoulders.
That’s a lot of pressure, but this kid has been spectacular all season long. He’s turned in two amazing seasons and looks to continue his stellar play. The Sea Dogs tried to take his eyes away and create havoc in front of him in the Round 1, but you can bet your ass the Foreurs will be all around the net and will be buzzing like crazy when the puck drops for Round 2.
The Wildcats aren’t covered by the papers or local media like they used to be and I’m sure no one really asked Gardiner MacDougall why he pulled Guimond up big on home ice versus the Charlottetown Islanders during the last regular season game. It was an excellent decision because things were escalating. Clearly you don’t want your “number one guy”, “the man” getting hurt in a game like. Clearly Guimond played enough minutes that game to ensure he got the win claiming his 40th victory of the season. It was a big game because 1st overall was on the line as well and of course home ice advantage throughout the entirely of the playoffs.
Again, no one associated with that Wildcats dare think about it right now or even mention it, but what happens if Guimond was to get nicked up a bit or even hurt. Jacoby Weiner didn’t see a lot of ice at all throughout the season and wasn’t the most consistent when he did appear between the pipes. Teams are going to continue to crash the net and make things increasingly more for Guimond.
The “no one touches Rudy” mantra is in full force or effect right now around the Wildcats just like it would be for any other playoff team when it comes to their netminders. Look for the Wildcats to continue that trend versus the pesky Foreurs. The Foreurs will test the Cats in their own zone; they will provide a lot of forecheck pressure and if wise they will also trap and try to clog up the neutral zone when the Cats find themselves in controlled breakout scenarios.
The Val d’Or Foreurs might not pose or appear to be a “big test” for the high octane and highly touted Moncton Wildcats, but the Cats will still have to put in the work in order to pass the test. The lessons learned from Round 1 are filed under the experience folders for the Wildcats and the Foreurs. Round 2 poses a brand new test. What are the Foreurs and Wildcats going to learn about each other and themselves? We will soon find out!
The Quick Shift 