QMJHL 2003 Final Draft Report

With the 2002-03 Quebec Major Junior Hockey season in the record books we will take this time to look at many of the 2003 NHL Draft Class from the QMJHL that have distinguished themselves for good or bad.

The Top of the ‘Q’ Class:

Marc-Andre Fleury, (G) Cape Breton – He had an outstanding season with Cape Breton and a great performance with Team Canada at the 2003 World Junior Hockey Championships. Fleury posted a 17-24-6 record with a .910 save percentage and 3.36 GAA in 2889.28 minutes on a weak Cape Breton team that was 21-42-9 this season. His superb play over the year has definitely locked him up a spot in the top 5 in the upcoming NHL Draft. (Season Grade = A+)

Steve Bernier, (RW) Moncton – In his second in the QMJHL with the Moncton Wildcats. He has steadily evolved into one of the premier power forwards in the league, and could quite possibly be a top 10 draft selection. Bernier led Moncton in scoring this season with 49 goals and 51 assists and had a +33 rating. (Season Grade = A+)

Petr Vrana, (C) Halifax – Don’t let his 5’10 frame fool you as he will use all of it to play his hardest and give 100% on every shift. After joining Halifax from H.C. Havirov, Vrana’s season started off slow but finally took off in mid November. He went on to lead all QMJHL rookies in scoring with 37 goals and 46 assists in 72 games. (Season Grade = A)

Marc-Antione Pouliot, (C) Rimouski – After an injury filled 2001-02 season with Rimouski, he has put his injury troubles behind him this season. Although playing on the worst team in the CHL that managed only 11 wins all season, Pouliot has lived up to his potential and proved that he is a top prospect deserving of being a first round selection. In 65 games, he managed 32 goals and 41 assists to lead his team in scoring in 2002-03. (Season Grade = A)

Corey Crawford, (G) Moncton – A big goalie that plays the butterfly style and uses his 6’2 frame well to play the angles. He has quickly become one of the top goalies in the QMJHL. This season he posted a .915 save percentage, 2.73 GAA and a 24-17-6 record in 2855.26 minutes with Moncton. Crawford has earned himself first round contention for the upcoming draft. (Season Grade = A)

Richard Stehlik, (D) Sherbrooke – At 6'4", 240 pounds, Stehlik has caught the eye of many scouts this season. Using his size to his advantage he has slowly moved up in the draft ranking after a strong and steady season in Sherbrooke. He appeared in only 42 QMJHL games, but had a good showing with Team Slovakia at the 2003 World Junior Hockey Championships. Look for him to crack the top 30. (Season Grade = A-)

Maxim Lapierre, (C) Montreal – After a quick start to the 2002-03 season, Lapierre quickly became the favorite among ‘Q’ prospects for the draft. Although he did have a steady season in Montreal, his offensive output slowed down as the season dragged on, finishing with 22 goals and 21 assists in 72 games. (Season Grade = B)

Stephen Dixon, (C) Cape Breton – He has displayed the potential to become an offensive gem in the QMJHL. When Cape Breton cleaned house, trading off most of their veterans in January it was left to Dixon to pick up the slack and help lead the team down the stretch and into the playoffs. A job the Dixon managed to do with ease, ending the season as Cape Breton’s leading scorer with 28 goals and 42 assists. (Season Grade = A-)

Alexandre Picard, (D) Halifax – A good all around defenseman, he started the season considered to be a first round selection. Although inconsistent play over the season has seen his draft stock slip, Picard remains a solid defensive prospect. He seems to still be just a step away from reaching his full potential. (Season Grade = B)

Jean-Francois Jacques, (LW) Baie-Comeau – Has the potential to be an imposing power forward, but has managed to only put up decent numbers on an offensively strong Baie-Comeau team this season. Jacques recorded 12 goals and 21 assists in 67 games. Until he is able to reach his full potential, the team selecting him will have to be patient and hope he can mature into the player is looks capable of becoming. (Season Grade = B)

Josh Hennessy, (C) Quebec – After a strong rookie campaign in 2001-02, he picked up were he left off in the 2002-03 season. A talented offensive forward, he has become a leader and set up man on the Memorial Cup Host Quebec Remparts. Hennessey led the Remparts in assists (51), and managed 33 goals in 72 games. He’ll be looked upon through the playoffs and the Memorial Cup to help lead his team. A good showing will help improve his ranking. (Season Grade = A-)

Marc-Andre Bernier, (RW) Halifax – Bernier has the ability to become an effective power forward in the future. However, he displayed a lack of defensive skills as witnessed by the fact that he managed only to be a +5 on an offensively strong Mooseheads team. After a strong season with Halifax, were he recorded 29 goals and 29 assists in 67 games, Bernier’s season came to an unexpected end when he suffered a dislocated shoulder. The injury caused him to miss the final games of the season and the first round of the playoffs. (Season Grade = B)

The Best of the Rest:

Alexandre Bolduc, (C) Rouyn-Noranda – (Season Grade = B)

Cory Urquhart, (C) Montreal – (Season Grade = B+)

Guillaume Desbiens, (RW) Rouyn-Noranda (Season Grade = B-)

Philippe Dupuis, (C) Hull – (Season Grade = B)

Jonathan Boutin, (G) Halifax – (Season Grade = B)

Jean-Michel Bolduc, (D) Quebec – (Season Grade = B)

Dany Roussin, (C) Rimouski – (Season Grade = B+)

Francois-Pierre Guenette, (LW) Halifax – (Season Grade = B+)

Bruno Gervais, (D) Acadie-Bathurst – (Season Grade = A-)

Patrice Bergeron, (C) Acadie-Bathurst - (Season Grade = B+)

Vladislav Balaz, (LW) Sherbrooke – (Season Grade = B)

Honourable Mention:

Jimmy Sharrow, (D) Halifax – A lot was expected from him heading into the 2002-03 season, but inconsistent play throughout the season has seen his stock drop. As the season wound down, his defensive play began to pick up and he became more of a physical defenseman and played a steadier game on the point for Halifax. (Season Grade = B-)

Patrick Thoresen, (C) Baie-Comeau – Overlooked in the 2002 NHL Draft, he has once again proven that he has oodles of offensive talent and should not be overlooked in this year’s draft. With Baie-Comeau, Thoresen recorded 33 goals and 75 assists for 108 points (3rd best in the QMJHL) in 71 games this season. Look for a team to take a chance on him later in the Draft. (Season Grade = A)

Martin Slovak, (LW) Cape Breton – After a poor start to the season with the Victoriaville Tigres, Martin was dealt to Cape Breton where he received a second chance to prove himself. He worked hard and played consistently down the stretch run, earning Slovak another shot at being selected in the draft. A decent late rounder that may eventually develop into an outstanding forward given time and patience. (Season Grade = B-)

Louis-Philippe Martin, (RW) Baie-Comeau – Martin has been counted on during the 2002-03 season to be an effective set up man and powerplay specialist. Although somewhat on the small side at 5’10, he still was able to produce 23 goals and 53 assists this season. (Season Grade = B)

Benoit Mondou, (C) Shawinigan – Arguably the most talented player coming out of the QMJHL this season. Mondou is a prolific playmaker, as his 51 assists this season in only 60 games would attest. The only thing holding him back is his size (5’9-165lbs). (Season Grade = B)

Danick Jasmin-Riel, (C) Rimouski – His two seasons in the QMJHL have been plagued with injuries and inconsistent play. Starting the season with Montreal, he was later dealt to Rimouski. Jasmin-Riel has the offensive instincts and size to be a productive player, but has some issues he needs to get put behind him so he can move on to reach his potential. (Season Grade = B-)

David Tremblay, (G) Hull – A big, strong butterfly style goalie that mainly played a back-up role as a rookie in 2002-03. Although, he did display signs that he has the potential to be a starter posting a 14-9-2 recorded this season with Hull. Tremblay’s will be given every chance to live up to his vast potential because he will take over the #1 job in Hull next season. (Season Grade = C)

Martin Houle, (G) Cape Breton – Houle has developed into a very reliable goalie, but playing behind Marc-Andre Fleury has definitely slowed his progression in to becoming a topflight netminder in the QMJHL. He has the talent to be a #1 goalie, but as long as he backs up Fleury in Cape Breton, Houle’s full potential will remain a mystery. (Season Grade = C+)

Mathieu Melanson, (LW) Chicoutimi – Chicoutimi’s 15th overall selection in the 2002 Midget Draft. He came in to the league without a lot of fan fair, but quickly left a mark. The big left winger finished third in rookie scoring, with 20 goals and 27 assists in 69 games. Melanson has the tools and talent to become an effective offensive forward in the QMJHL, and could be a late round steal for the NHL who selects him. (Season Grade = B)

Nathan Saunders, (D) Moncton – He plays a rough, in your face style defensive game, and is not shy of physical play. Saunders had a solid year on defense and was one of the players Moncton heavily depended on back on the blueline. His physical style play was evident this past season, as he racked up 241 minutes in penalties in 69 games.

More Honourable Mention’s:

Nicolas Marcotte, (D) Chicoutimi – (Season Grade = B-)

Maxime Boisclair, (RW) Chicoutimi – (Season Grade = B)

Jean-Michel Filaitrault, (G) Quebec – (Season Grade = C+)

Guillaume Labrecque, (C) Hull – (Season Grade = C)

Jared Vokey, (LW) Cape Breton – (Season Grade = C+)

Olivier Labelle, (RW) Hull – (Season Grade = C)

Vladimir Kutny, (LW) Quebec – (Season Grade = C+)

Kevin Asselin, (RW) Cape Breton – (Season Grade = B-)

Sylvain Michaud, (G) Drummondville – (Season Grade = C)

Zbynek Hrdel, (RW) Rimouski – (Season Grade = C)

Dropping out of Draft Contention:

Players, who are eligible for the draft, but are likely to go undrafted.

Danny Stewart, (LW) Rimouski

Sebastien Courcelles, (C) Sherbrooke

Francis Wathier, (LW) Hull

Jules Melanson, (D) Drummondville

Mathieu Gravel, (LW) Shawinigan

Kyle Murnaghan, (D) Moncton

Andre Joanisse, (D) Drummondville

Eric Tetrault, (D) Rouyn-Noranda

Marc-Olivier Vary, (D) Acadie-Bathurst

Simon Daoust, (G) Chicoutimi

Jimmy Bonneau, (LW) Montreal

Jean-Claude Milot, (D) Rouyn-Noranda

Ondrej Wantulok, (D) Acadie-Bathurst