QMJHL: Bar-berio-red Wildcats

The Moncton Wildcats and St. John's Fog Devils recently played a two-game set at Mile One Center. The Fog Devils skated away with a rare sweep on home ice. The Wildcats 2008 draft-eligible hopefuls Ted Stephens and Mark Barberio, along with 2009 hopefuls David Savard, Matt Brown and Devon MacAusland were all in action. McKeen's was on hand and files this report.

Ted Stephens (2008), C, Moncton

The 6-foot-1, 170-pound pivot hails from Whitehorse, YK .. was a 2007 invitee to the Wildcats organization .. centered the fourth line in both games between LW Kelan Herr and RW Devon MacAusland .. icetime was limited to skating at even strength, no time on the PP or PK .. skates well, but has awkward-looking strides .. displayed good speed, provided energy and demonstrated jump .. displayed stickhandling ability on a number of occasions .. comfortable with the puck, never rushed many decisions .. strong on the forecheck and in his puck pursuit .. worked hard to force the opposition into making mistakes .. displayed willingness to backcheck .. took a "good penalty" taking away a scoring chance with some great hustle and extra effort .. was not involved offensively with respect to direct scoring chances, but did work hard along the boards, down low and on the cycle .. finished the two-game set with no points, two PIM's, two shots on goal, won one-of-seven faceoffs and dished out one thunderous open-ice hit on Fog Devils forward Chris Thorne at the Wildcats blueline.

Mark Barberio (2008), D, Moncton

Selected in the first round, 12th overall, in the 2006 QMJHL draft by the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles .. the 6-foot-1, 201-pound rearguard hails from Montreal, QC .. was exchanged from Cape Breton to Moncton on 2007-01-08 for Luc Bourdon (Van) and a first round pick in the 2007 Q-draft (Matt Brown) .. Barberio was named to the QMJHL Rookie All-Star Team in 2006-07 .. was a member of the QMJHL team in the 2007 ADT Canada/Russia Challenge .. paired with David Savard on the first defense unit in both games, was in the starting lineup for game two .. played in all situations (regular shift, powerplay, penalty kill and four-on-four) and logged significant minutes .. strong, smooth skater who possesses both speed and mobility .. displayed great composure with the puck .. made smart decisions with the puck overall .. moved the puck with relative ease .. accurate outlet passes and strong short passes .. quarterbacked the powerplay on the first and second PP units (looked to distribute the puck to the open man) .. found himself running around on the PK on occasion .. led and joined the rush on a number of occasions .. strong defensively, big body presence, but not overly physical .. was strong defending the middle of the ice, but beat to the outside on a few occasions .. finished the series with no points, a plus-one rating, two PIM's and two shots on goal.

David Savard (2009), D, Moncton

The 6-foot-1, 201-pound rearguard hails from St-Hyacinthe, QC .. was selected in the fourth round, 57th overall, in the 2007 Q-draft by the Baie-Comeau Drakkar .. was exchanged to Moncton (2007-12-22) along with a second round pick in 2008, a fifth round pick in 2008 and a first round pick in 2009 for Matt Marquardt (CBJ) and Myles Gomes .. was paired with Mark Barberio on the first defense unit in both games, was in the starting lineup for game two .. played in all situations (regular shift, powerplay, penalty kill and four-on-four) and logged significant and effective minutes .. skates well, average speed, but solid positionally .. made strong outlet passes .. solid defensively, big body presence .. displayed his ability to shoot the puck (hard, low and heavy shot) .. displayed ability and willingness to block shots .. was extremely effective using the center of the ice on the powerplay .. quick getting into shooting position .. was strong at the attacking blueline with respect to decision-making (pinching, not pinching, moving off the point, keeping the puck deep) .. finished the two-game set with no points, a plus-two rating and six shots on goal.

Matt Brown (2009), LW, Moncton

Selected in the first round, 15th overall, in the 2007 QMJHL draft by Moncton .. the 5-foot-11, 170-pound left-winger hails from Pictou, NS .. centered the second line in both games between RW Matthew Brenton and LW Adam Bezak .. played in all situations: regular shift, powerplay and penalty kill (spotted time on second unit) .. strong skater .. displayed speed, energy and jump on a consistent basis .. was solid positionally .. made quick decisions with the puck .. was aware of his offensive and defensive responsibilities .. was overmatched physically at times .. pushed off the puck on more than one occasion .. not much technique in the faceoff circle, no battles .. finished the two-game set with no points, a minus-one rating, two shots on goal and won four of the twelve faceoffs taken.

Devon MacAusland (2009), C, Moncton

The 5-foot-8, 151-pound pivot hails from Moncton, NB .. was selected in the second round, 35th overall, in the 2007 Q-draft by Moncton .. skated on the RW on the fourth line in both games with LW Kelan Herr and center Ted Stephens .. played at even strength and on the powerplay, no time on the penalty kill .. limited icetime overall .. small and diminutive .. listed at 5-foot-8, but according to NHL Central Scouting MacAusland is actually 5-foot-6 .. skates well (low to the ice) .. provided team with speed and energy .. shifty and quick with and without the puck .. lack of strength was evident .. finished the two-game set with no points, a minus-one rating and won two of eleven faceoffs taken.