QMJHL: Car-on the Offensive for Oceanic

The Rimouski Oceanic and St. John's Fog Devils recently played a two-game set at Mile One Center. Clement Jodoin's Oceanic swept the weekend series. 2008 draft-eligible hopefuls Philippe Cornet, Mathieu Asselin, Alexandre Neron and Felix Lefrancois, along with 2009 draft-eligible Jordan Caron were all in action. McKeen's was on hand and files this report.

Philippe Cornet (2008), C, Rimouski

Selected in the first round, second overall, in the 2006 QMJHL draft by Rimouski .. the 6-foot, 180-pound pivot hails from Val-Senneville, QC .. in the starting lineup for both games .. skated on the second line as a left-winger with center Keven Veilleux (Pit) and RW Jordan Caron .. played in all situations: regular shift, powerplay and penalty kill .. despite a choppy start and short strides, he is a good skater overall .. displayed speed, jump and energy on a consistent basis .. shifty and quick with the puck, while his ability to shake off a defender was evident .. quick release on his shots .. moved the puck extremely well, as, passing ability was clearly displayed .. creative in the offensive zone and neutral zone, played it safe in the defensive zone .. demonstrated good vision and had great chemistry with linemates .. was strong on the forecheck and in his puck pursuit .. effort clearly displayed on the backcheck and was responsible defensively .. demonstrated willingness to work along the boards and down low .. puck protection skills were evident .. a tougher player to play against when he uses the center of the ice, than when he tries to go to the outside .. no doubt he battled and competed through traffic, but was overmatched physically at times .. showed great discipline during the two-game set and his team was awarded powerplays as a result .. finished the two-game set with one goal, two assists, a plus-three rating and six shots on goal.

Mathieu Asselin (2008), RW, Rimouski

The 5-foot-11, 170-pound right-winger is from Action Vale, QC .. was selected in the sixth round, 106th overall, in the 2007 QMJHL draft by Rimouski .. was a scratch for game one, but was inserted into the lineup for game two .. was one of two extra forwards dressed for game two .. skated with center Keven Veilleux (Pit) and LW David Plante .. saw limited icetime .. lumbering skating style, with awkward looking motion .. skated up-and-down his wing, more of a dump-and-chase game .. bang-and-crash-physical-style .. worked hard and competed .. displayed willingness and ability to drive to the net .. provided screens and traffic in front of the net .. definitely used as a role player by the Oceanic in this series .. the goal he scored came as a result of a rebound and scramble in front of the Fog Devils net, he jumped on the loose puck and fired it home .. finished the series with one goal, a plus-one rating and two shots on goal.

Jordan Caron (2009), C, Rimouski

Selected in the first round, eighth overall, in the 2006 Q-draft by Rimouski .. the 6-foot-2, 196-pound middleman hails from Sayabec, QC .. in the starting lineup for both games .. skated on the second line as a right-winger with LW Philippe Cornet and center Keven Veilleux (Pit) .. played in all situations: regular shift, powerplay, penalty kill and four-on-four .. size and strength was evident early and often .. solid skater, and is strong on his skates with good balance .. despite wide strides and turns, he has deceiving speed for a big man .. displayed stickhandling ability at full speed and looked comfortable with the puck .. read the ice well and used teammates effectively .. strong work along the boards and down low while providing solid puck support .. involved physically (scrums) and had a big presence in front of the Fog Devils net .. displayed soft hands and demonstrated a quick release and decision-making on the goals that he scored .. was aware of his defensive responsibilities .. despite a solid series, he seemed to take shifts off during the course of the games .. showed jump, but not on a consistent basis .. glided too much on both offence and defense overall .. finished the two-game set with three goals, one assist, four PIM's, a plus-four rating and eight shots on goal.

Alexandre Neron (2008), D, Rimouski

The 6-foot, 180-pound rearguard is from La Malbaie, QC .. was selected in the first round, sixth overall, in the 2006 QMJHL draft by Rimouski .. was paired on the second-defense unit with former Fog Devil Sebastien Bernier for both games .. played in all situations: regular shift, powerplay and penalty kill .. a smooth skater, solid on his blades, not overly fast but effective .. quick decision-making habits, as his ability to read and react were evident .. played a smart, heads-up series .. made strong outlet passes on a consistent basis and has the ability to make stretch passes .. passes were crisp and on target (accuracy) .. moved the puck extremely well and displayed great vision .. looked to join the rush and play on a number of occasions .. made solid decisions in the offensive zone (pinching/not pinching, keeping the puck deep, and not forcing the issue) .. demonstrated not only the willingness to block shots, but also the ability to block shots .. had an active stick in the defensive zone .. strong communication skills, directed traffic extremely well and looked almost like a point guard on the ice at times .. was involved offensively, but not at the risk of his defensive responsibilities .. does not possess a hard shot, but ability to get shots through from the point was clearly displayed .. despite playing a good series, he seemed to be prone to turnovers and give-aways in each game, nothing glaring, but small mistakes (mental lapses) .. was not overly physical, but solid one-on-one in his ability to contain along the boards and in front of the net .. finished the series with two assists, two PIM's, a plus-three rating and five shots on goal.

Felix Lefrancois (2008), C, Rimouski

Selected in the fourth round, 55th overall, in the 2006 Q-draft by Rimouski .. the 5-foot-9, 160-pound center hails from Baie-Comeau, QC .. skated on the fourth line in game one, but was a scratch in game two .. limited icetime .. small (diminutive) .. skates low to the ice with quick strides .. provided the team with energy .. was not involved offensively .. finished the series with no points.