QMJHL: Halifaxs NHL Pipeline

The QMJHL's Halifax Mooseheads, the league's model franchise, have featured a steady stream of future NHL talent over the years, and this season is no different. Highly-touted 2006 eligible draft picks Ryan Hillier and Andrew Bodnarchuk have been strutting their stuff for the scouts this year. As well, 19-year-old Phoenix pick Kevin Cormier has seen dramatic changes in his game in 2005-06.

Hillier has put up strong numbers, averaging a point per game, and sits third in Mooseheads' scoring behind line mates and over-agers Rane Carnegie and David Brine.

"Hillier has great speed, and for the most part he's a guy who competes very hard", said Al MacAdam, head coach in Halifax. "He's getting better at reading 2-on-1's, and he has very strong puck

movement."

The experience and work ethic of Carnegie and Brine have been of great influence to the almost-18-year-old who's fortunate enough to be playing junior hockey in his hometown.

"From day one we put Hillier up on the line with Carnegie and Brine and he's excelled there," said MacAdam. "Chemistry on a line is everything. Both Carnegie and Brine have been very consistent, and

they've pushed him to be consistent too."

Hillier continues to work on his play away from the puck, probably his main weakness according to his coach. The 5'11", 185 lbs. left winger tends to lack concentration and attention to detail when in his own zone.

As for Bodnarchuk, the small, offensive-minded blue liner has also impressed this year. The Alberta native is playing his first season in the Q and been given plenty of opportunity to show what he can do.

"For a 17-year-old, he's logging a lot of ice time. He's very much into the game and he's been put into all kinds of situations," MacAdam explained. "With our young defense, Bodnarchuk has really

been forced to be good."

If there's a current NHLer whom Bodnarchuk best resembles, it might

be Los Angeles Kings' rearguard Nathan Dempsey, who was coached by MacAdam

with the AHL's St. John's Maple Leafs, and later in Chicago, where MacAdam was an assistant while Dempsey was breaking into a full-time NHL job. Bodnarchuk plays a similar composed all-around game, but

likely won't remain in the minors for seven years like Dempsey did before reaching the big league.

Big Kevin Cormier established himself last year as the best fighter and most feared player in the QMJHL, and while he still can claim both those "titles" as his own, the Phoenix Coyotes 2004 sixth rounder has seen something of a transformation this season. Cormier has 15 goals already this campaign, after scoring just two in 2004-05.

"He's playing a regular shift now, and he's scoring on the power play where he gives us that size factor," said MacAdam of his intimidating 6'3", 235 lbs. enforcer.

"He's been able to capitalize on his ice time this year. He came to camp in really good shape, and I think his attitude towards the game is maturing in the sense that his practicing is more up-tempo and

his conditioning is much better."

Cormier, a New Brunswick native, still has a difficult role according to his bench boss, even though there aren't many in the Q willing to dance with the big guy.

"He has a tough job being a heavyweight, and he's been scoring, so he has to find that balance," MacAdam said. "But he's done a good job of that so far."