QMJHL: Levasseur top draft-eligible goalie

Scouting reports covering several 2005 draft-eligible QMJHL players including stud goalie J.P. Levasseur, Guillaume Latendresse and wildcard Slava Trukhno.

Guillaume Latendresse (2005), LW

Could very well be a top-five pick in next year's draft .. a power forward with smooth, fluent puck skills .. very calm; plays the game with excellent composure .. creative and elegant; drives the net and distributes the puck fluidly .. elite hand-eye coordination .. knows how to throw his frame around .. needs to hurry his stride especially when it comes to the defensive aspects as he at times seems too relaxed .. perhaps acceleration could be improved .. can take over the game with his great hands and bright mind, but we'd like to see just a tad more explosiveness.

J.P. Levasseur (2005), G

A goalie from the famed QMJHL factory in the mold of Marc-Andre Fleury and currently the front runner to go first among goalies in the upcoming draft .. was the top goaltender at the 2003-2004 Under-17 challenge in St. John's .. very fast in the crease with cat-like reflexes and a lively glove hand .. excellent athleticism .. thrives on a lot of work .. has very fast legs and covers the bottom part of the net especially well .. positions himself well to make the second save when necessary .. outstanding dexterity; quick laterally .. has a penchant for highlight-reel saves .. Played in Magog (AAA) last year and saw a little action during a three-game callup to the QMJHL with the Huskies.

Slava Trukhno (2005), RW

Russian-born, but Denmark-based, Slava Trukhno may opt to take the QMJHL route this season .. has the talent to be one of the better pure goal scorers in this draft .. has a soft pair of hands and dangerous, elusive skating skills that make him a threat to score whenever he is on the ice .. has a quick release on his wrister; also with good accuracy .. very good patience with the puck; outwaits goalies with his range and wingspan .. shows slick puck work .. from the blueline in, he is often explosive .. currently his draft stock is not high, as not a lot of scouts have seen him in Denmark, but the North American exposure would be a plus, though could also exposure some weaknesses, mainly dealing with issues of strength and defensive responsibilities .. an intriguing talent, but not on the mainstream radar.

Francis Guerette-Charland (2005), RW

Brings instant offense to the table .. has a powerful skating strides and good balance, which enables him to fight through traffic .. has a nose for the net and a good sense of proper zones for attack .. threatens with quick hands around the crease .. possesses a quick, snappy wrister .. good puck protection skills .. shares the puck smartly .. not an elite talent but is a player to watch out for.

Mathieu Aubin (2005), C

A relative unknown for the draft who could really surprise .. had an impressive rookie season with Lewiston and showed upside with eye-catching passing skills and a solid shot .. creative and a slick skater with above-average hands .. has a sharp mind; shares the puck quickly and accurately .. should get more of a scoring role next year.

Andrew Andricopoulos (2005), D

Disappointed a bit at times last year, but expectations are high .. US-born player came highly touted and started off the year well, but tailed off, showing less energy as the year wore on .. struggled to overcome size issues on defense .. an excellent skater with fluid puck skills who can skater considerable distances while in possession .. has good playmaking savvy .. does not play a physical game, but comes back to aid the defense .. suffers from lapses of poor judgement on the ice and gets pushed off the puck too easily .. his success next year could lean on what he's done with his time this off-season.