The future of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League is upon us. Going strictly off the QMJHL CSR’s Final List, I dive into some quick analysis and scouting reports from predominantly 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 critical 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.
Prospects Ranked in the 4th Round by the CSR
55) Liam Fournier big body winger, that might not look like the prettiest skater, but boy does he every have another gear at his disposal, can really fly from point A to point B. Linear speed for days once he gets things going, great hands in tight and is good in traffic, Plays a lot bigger than his 5’10 stature, protects the puck well in traffic, and thinks the game very well, very good passer of the puck as well,
56) Simon Cantin solid skating forward, good puck skills and good in traffic, responsible player, competes well, will have to continue to work on his speed and agility to have the best impact at the junior level, would like to see him stop on pucks more frequently especially in his own zone, great vision and can really pass the puck, might not seem like he drives a ton of offence, but he can sure as hell deliver the goods, can really rip the puck, There’s no doubt he’s ranked where he is based on his size, At 5’7 critics will say he won’t be able to be a point getter at the next level, he competes like hell and isn’t scare so I think he can definitely put points on the board, he will find a way, I think he will adjust quickly and he will get used to living life on the inside of the ice.
57) Nathan Riendeau shifty and crafty forward, very good skater, distributes pucks very well through the middle of the ice, reads the play extraordinarily well, takes good routes to pucks in all three zones which is rare, again size will be looked at a possible weakness, At 5’7 it would appear that some might say he’s too small to play through the middle at the junior level and that might very well be the case, but the way he skates and engages, he could find himself in the middle later on in his Jr career, but for now will definitely find a home on the wing, does everything at top speed and isn’t scared to engage
58) Colby O’Shaughnessy solid technical netminder, needs to telescope out more and challenge more, down early at times and deep isn’t a good recipe has a tendency to drop his trapper, needs to be quicker with his movements around the net, solid rebound control from distance, but really needs fight for his space at the top of the blue paint and have the confidence to get out there more often.
59) Liam Duffy polished skater, could skate for days, very good puck skills, thinks the game and position very well, needs to stay more central while defending, solid stick in all three zones, will need more jam to his game if he wants to make a big impact at the next level, very agile on his blades and can make people miss on the forecheck and in open ice, just needs to get stronger and bring an even higher element of grit to his game, Solid point totals, can really run a power play, but will need to pick and choose his spots while jumping up at the Jr level, As in any young offensive defender, the ownness will now be can he deliver points and defend well enough to play and gain the trust of their coaches
60) Dylan Currie very good skating winger that really plays with an edge, can definitely wreak havoc on the forecheck even with his size, (plays a lot bigger than 5’11) will to compete and skating ability, reliable two way presence and takes a lot of pride in playing the wing position the right way, back checks with purpose which is great to see at this age, would like to see him stop and start on pucks a touch more especially in his own zone, and not turn his back to the puck as well, but that’s a very common issue amongst all young U18 players. This kid could no doubt jump into a Jr roster as a bottom six forward as early as next season, just needs to get stronger,
61) Noah O’Connell great skater for his size and very agile, great on the forecheck, very good stick in all three zones, great to see him face the puck via open face pivots and not turn his back to the play, uses his frame and body well to protect pucks and A frame to gain time and space, This kid is Q ready right now purely based on his skating, compete level and jam he plays with, He’s probably ranked where he is based on point production or the lack there of, but the team that appreciates what he can bring will undoubtedly benefit almost instantly, He’s skilled enough with the puck to be net front presence on the power play, and gritty enough to play in a bottom six role as a 16 yr old.
62) Simon Delarosbil very strong skater and two way forward, this kid is Q ready right now by the way he competes and how he reads the play and plays the game, Can play both forward positions with relative ease, definitely projects to be a 2nd or 3rd line center at the Jr level, Some people might look at his numbers and say he doesn’t drive enough offence to warrant a 2nd line C role, but this kid can play in any situation, he’s an incredibly strong skater, he will have to continue to work on his explosiveness to reach his full potential, here’s another player that I don’t understand why he’s ranked where he is, perhaps it’s his offensive production, but this kid will be selected well before 62nd overall in this years draft in my opinion,
63) Caleb Pelletier very quick, agile and athletic in there, competes like hell which is great to see in young goalies, one aspect that jumped off the page almost instantly was just how incredibly square and composed he is, at his size, critics will say he’s too small to have an impact and will just get beat constantly up high, with more strength he will gain even more quickness which will serve him very well moving forward, This kid is a puck stopper through and through,
64) Lou Deslauriers smooth skating D man, solid puck skills and has good composure and patience back there, good passer of the puck, would like to see him gap up better and trust his skating ability, reads the play well, Needs to contain more and maintain his posture especially when closing in on attackers below the dots, Will need to play with more jam and grit at the next level
65) Tomas Gagnon skates well, will need to continue to lengthen his stride to gain more speed and really focus in on his agility, plays with some grit which is great to see, solid puck skills and skates well enough to eventually play through the middle, takes good routes to pucks and really does a good job being available and opening himself up to receive pucks, will have to get stronger, but really processes the game and center position extremely well, isn’t scared to go to the dirty areas of the ice to create time and space,
66) Hugo Legare reliable two way presence, solid speed and agility, but will have to get stronger to gain even more explosiveness, hunts pucks on the forecheck and loves to throw the body which is great to see, will have to continue to bring even more grit to his game, not going to light the world on fire offensively, but can definitely play in any situation,
67) Xavier Lesage very good technique and patient in the blue paint, moves very well and has a quick recovery, really impressed with the way comes out and challenges the shooter and fights for his space, plays bigger and looks a lot bigger than his listed height of 5’11 which is great to see and speaks to his technique, here’s a netminder that might need some more time to develop and refine, but he has a good foundation in which to build,
68) Zachary Lavoie above average skater, will have to work on his agility and first step to be that transitional D man at the next level, shows patience and composure with the puck, size will be considered a weakness moving forward by some, but he competes and takes good routes to pucks on retrievals, solid gap control and stick positioning,
69) Mathis Khoury Above average skate, solid two-way presence, needs to lengthen his stride to gain even more speed to play through the middle at the next level, good release for his size, needs to get stronger to make sure he wins puck battles at the junior level, Thinks the game well, and understands how to get to the quiet areas of the ice to create and generate scoring chances.
70) Henry Lacelle crafty, shifty and very speedy forward, good in traffic and doesn’t avoid the dirty areas of the ice to create offensive opportunities, needs to sure up some defensive qualities within his game to make sure he gains the trust of his coaches at the next level, You can tell he takes a lot of pride on the defensive side of things, but just needs to win more puck and stick battles, good in the face off dot, and there’s no question he can play through the middle the next level based on his skating ability and how he processes the game,
71) Emile Rioux strong skating two way defender, very good puck skills and composure with the puck in all three zones and doesn’t rush things on the offensive blue line which is great to see, willing to take a hit to make a play, projects to be a very good 2 zone defender at the next level, and someone that could slot in the 4 or 5 spot, transition pucks and defend against all the opposing teams top players, Obviously will have to get stronger to play that shut down in your face role, but is very close to being Q ready, Processes the game well, and always has his eyes up and willing to make a play while considering all of the options, Here’s a player at this ranking that might surprise and the team that selects him will have a very good defender for many years to come, Needs to tighten up his gap in certain situations through the neutral zone and that comes with more reps and experience, but he just has to trust his skating and play up/stand up in the neutral zone a touch more.
72) Carter Odell feisty winger, skates well, will have to get stronger upper body wise to make sure he wins and competes in puck battles at the next level. Young players need to know if they’re going to engage and be a “physical in your face” type player or try to portray that or play to that identity you can’t take any nights off at the junior level. Good puck skills and reads the play well, isn’t scared to go into traffic to create,
The Quick Shift 