Going strictly off the QMJHL CSR’s Final List, I dive into some quick analysis and scouting reports from video platforms.
Watching video isn’t the same as being in the rink and it never will be, but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn a lot about player tendencies especially what they do way from the puck. Young players that compete like hell and do all the little things the right way jump off the screen. Video platforms continue to be a game changer. Nonetheless, these platforms are not the same as the eye test or being in the rink, but they are the next best thing.
The Prospect Exchange continues to be on the cutting edge of the technology which make our jobs easier by providing access to players from across the hockey world. Obviously, I couldn’t have done these reports without these platforms. Video platforms are essential and really help scouts to drill down refining and projecting player tendencies.
TPE does a comprehensive job and is leading the way when it comes to covering Atlantic Canadian teams/players which provides those prospects with more exposure which is essential for identifying and projecting young talent.
C Prospects Ranked by the QMJHL’s CSR By Alphabetical Order the 6th to 8th Rounds
- Xavier Boulay very speedy forward, good puck skills, would like to see him stop on pucks a little more often in his own zone, very good in traffic, energy player that brings lots of grit, needs to continue to go into traffic at the next level, but very good skater and has a ton of upside,
- Liam Bowles solid skating D man, projects to be a two zone defender at the next level, will have to continue to work on his gap control, processes the game and position well and jumps into the play at the right times, needs to move the puck a touch quicker in certain situations especially on breakouts and regroups
- Miguel Duplessis speedy gritty forward, good puck skills, doesn’t mind going into high traffic areas to create, but will need to do even more of that at the next level, not going to drive a ton of offence at the Jr level, but definitely has a offence upside to his game, skilled and gritty enough to play up and down any lineup, Again, people will look at his size as a potential weakness, it’s all about the details he possesses in his game and his willingness to engage and compete.
- Brandon Gillard very good skater, thinks the game very well and has good vision, brings energy, good puck skills, very good release and quite accurate, will need to continue to engage and get to the middle more frequently to have an impact at the next level, active stick in all three zones, can really get in on the forecheck, but would like to see him be even more physical in those situations,
- Nash Gorman solid skating D, good stick and compete level, hard working transitional D who has very good puck skills and doesn’t mind going with the puck if the opportunity presents itself, would like to see him maintain his posture and not lunge at would be attackers in one on one battles especially below the dots in his own zone, plays on his toes and thinks the game and position well, Will need to get even more gritter and nasty to play against to have an impact at the next level
- Eric Hanley above average skater, will need to continue to work on his explosiveness and agility to reach full potential at the next level, needs to focus more on the details on the defensive side of the puck which will definitely lead to more opportunities offensively in transition, has a tendency to be above the puck in his own zone, good puck skills and good in traffic that’s where even more on his skating will pay even bigger dividends for him, tons of potential here just needs to get stronger and refine some areas of his game,
- Quinton Land solid skating D, thinks the game well, eager to jump in to support the rush when the right time presents itself, will need to continue work on his lateral mobility and quickness, won’t bring a ton of offence to the junior level, but will be a reliable two way, two zone D that can move pucks, good gap control and instincts with his stick, has a tendency to play too wide at times would like to see him play between the dots a touch more, would also like to see him not use two hands on his stick as much when backward skating playing a one on one
- Xavier LeBlanc moves well in there and is athletic, challenges, but as the game progresses has a tendency to get deeper, would like to see him telescope out more and trust his technique, his trapper is low at times when he’s in the butterfly opening some room above his glove, he’s square to the shooter and tracks the puck well from distance, he’s a battler in there which is great to see, has a slight tendency to over commit or push too far to one side or the other thus losing his net and looking off balance especially in scramble situations, in those moments that’s where he needs to trust his technique and process and be a touch more patient, Here’s a perfect example of young netminder that will make small refinements to his game and might need some more reps and time to reach his full potential, great foundation in which to build, tons of potential here,
- Hunter MacLean solid skating rangy two way forward, won’t bring a ton of offence to the junior level, but here’s a perfect example of a player that has a ton of upside, will bring energy every time he jumps over the boards and skates well enough to become a power forward, has good puck skills and processes the game well, just needs even more pace and agility to his game to reach his full potential at the next level, very good on the forecheck and hopefully that trend will continue, solid linear speed, and perhaps some teams will elect to eventually play him through the middle, but he’s perhaps better suited to be a winger at the junior level,
- Aron Meaden moves well, solid technique, he’s a puck stopper through and through and battles in there, might not look as polished as others, but gets the job done, might want to keep his glove side raised a touch higher during his lateral movements and pushes, square to the shooter and very athletic, another young netminder that just needs some more time and small refinements to reach their full potential,
- Leo Meng good skating D man, would like to see him tighten up his gap control even more and trust his skating, he skates well enough to play up tighter, active stick in all three zones and solid puck skills and good vision, great passer of the puck projects to be a solid two way, two and half zone defender, will have to get stronger and be even more nasty to have an impact at the next level, projects to be a very solid 5/6 D man at the junior level,
- Hudson O’Keefe strong skating winger has all the makings of a power forward, when it wants to go he can fly out there, just needs to be more consistent and continue to take good routes to pucks, Needs to get in even more on the forecheck and cause havoc, Consistency is the key with this player, tons of potential in this player, would like to see him be a touch more patient with the puck especially given his puck skills and ability to make plays, Untapped potential and quiet talent, when this player hits their full stride lookout, they’re capable of doing a lot of damage,
- Bryson O’Neil Good skater for his size, moves well, good puck skills, will need to work on his edge work and agility to have an impact at the next level, Again a lot of these rangy young forwards just need more time to grow into their bodies and become complete menaces can really fire a puck, he’s not going to bring a ton of offence to the Jr level, but he will bring a ton of energy and grit if he continues on a good trajectory while working on his explosiveness and agility
- Marc-Olivier Ouellette solid skating D, good gap control and active stick, plays on his toes which is great to see, but would like him to let the game come to him a touch more, always eager to jump into and support the rush, but has to be mindful of his defensive responsibilities first, Needs to continue to be tough to play against and bring even more grit and jam to his game at the next level, good puck skills and processes the game well projects to be a solid 5/6 two zone defender at the Jr level.
- Samuel Williams solid skating defender, reads the play well, at times gets too wide and gives up quality ice through the middle especially in transition, Plays the right side which isn’t the easiest thing to do as a lefty, but he’s solid on that side, No doubt better suited to play his strong side at the next level, rugged defender that doesn’t back down and takes a hit to make a play which is great to see, good passer of the puck and always has his eyes and head up, Will need to continue to work on his skating and get even stronger, but has a great foundation in which to build, Has a nasty shutdown defender written on over him
The Quick Shift 