QMJHL: Fine Smooth Hennessy

Josh Hennessy (SJ), C

An underrated player who doesn't get the respect he deserves .. continues to develop at a steady and progressive rate .. possesses one of the best combinations of smooth skating and creative stickhandling in the league .. boasts excellent speed and plays a focused and determined game .. helps out and is effective defensively .. sees time on both the powerplay and penalty-kill .. not overly aggressive, isn't one to crash the net .. instead prefers a more cerebral approach .. very disciplined as well, never hurts his team by taking bad penalties .. still needs to work on getting stronger on the puck .. sound at both ends though his pro upside is slightly leaning more towards the offensive end .. was the sixth player chosen from the 'Q' in 2003, but would likely go higher if the draft was redone today.

Gennady Churilov (2005), LW

Russian import displayed much more desire than he showed early in the season, obviously getting accustomed to new country and surroundings .. steadily worked his way to the Remparts top line .. one of the more creative stickhandlers and playmakers in the league .. consistently utilizes his teammates to good advantage and doesn't take unnecessary risks with the puck .. possesses very quick feet and hands, could stickhandle out of a phone booth .. worked hard for the puck, though he still needs to get stronger .. his lack of strength and below-average shot helps to partially explain his modest goal totals (8 in 60 games) .. also must learn to keep his head up as he almost got caught puck-watching a few times in the neutral zone.

Jordan LaVallee (2005), LW

Enjoying huge breakout third year with Quebec, leading the Remparts with 32 goals after notching just 14 in his first two seasons combined .. consistently used his excellent size and strength .. intense on the forecheck, finished all his hits .. was also a force in the defensive zone .. capable of standing up to the league's strongest players .. works hard in the corners and excels at moving the puck out front .. one area that looks noticeably improved is his stickhandling .. led a few impressive rushes .. likes to carry the puck to the red line and then play dump-and-chase .. has made even greater strides in his oft-maligned skating .. looks much quicker and stronger on his feet .. we thought he would get drafted last year (ranked 16th among 'Q' eligibles), yet was surprisingly passed over .. NHL clubs won't make the same mistake twice.

Alexander Radulov (Nsh), RW

Multi-talented Russian looks like a powderkeg ready to detonate .. plays a relaxed game .. almost lulls the opposition into a false sense of security before suddenly shifting into gear and morphing into the best player on the ice .. never embarrasses himself, however he seems to use his magic only sporadically at times .. could make an even bigger impact if he chose to .. an excellent skater with an exceptional first step that simply overwhelms checkers .. displays excellent hockey sense and is a player who is capable of making those around him better.

Maxim Gratchev (2007), LW

Highly-touted Russian didn't see the ice consistently throughout the game so it was difficult to get a good read on him .. displayed excellent drive .. very quick on his feet .. a determined player who looks to be quite focused .. decisive when moving the puck .. skated primarily on the fourth line, but did see icetime with Josh Hennessy late in the game when the Remparts were down by one.

Michael Tessier (UFA), LW

Unsigned former Buffalo third-rounder has the tools, but usually leaves you wanting more, particularly from a player who averages a point per game .. often sloppy .. lacks intensity and desire, and overhandles the puck in his own zone .. caused an odd-man rush that resulted in a goal against after obsessing over an injury rather than gutting it back on defense .. also guilty of making some really rough passes while trying to set up in the offensive zone that were either picked off or simply not hard enough .. played an awful game.