1/14/2003 football Edit

QMJHL Mid-Season Draft Report

Mike Simon

Publisher

Marc-Andre Fleury - Goalie - Cape Breton Screaming Eagles

After a strong showing at the 2003 World Junior Championship, Fleury has all

but locked himself into a top 5 spot. Things can only improve for him as the

QMJHL season draws to a end.

Steve Bernier - Right Wing - Moncton Wildcats

This second year star forward is keeping his ranking in the late first round.

In 44 games with Moncton, Steve has 19 goals and 34 assists. Combine his great

offensive play, with his physical game, some team might just have themselves

a future Brendan Shanahan type player.

Marc-Antione Pouliot - Centre - Rimouski Oceanic

Big strong forward who in his rookie season missed alot of time due to injury.

Now in his 2nd season, Marc-Antione has lived up to his potential with Rimouski

becoming their top scorer with 20 goals and 27 assists in 43 games this season.

Marc-Antione will make a bid to crack the late first round.

Players on the Rise:

Richard Stehlik - Defense - Sherbrooke Castors

A big, powerful defensemen who uses his size (6'4, 240) to his advantage to

throw hefty body checks. Solid night after night on the blueline, Richard has

a great shot at cracking the top 30 after a

stong showing for Team Slovakia at the 2003 World Junior Championships.

Patr Vrana - Centre - Halifax Mooseheads

Don't let Petr's small frame fool you, only listed at 5'10, 170. Petr takes

to the ice night after night and players like a 6'4" star. He is not afraid

of the physical game and won't shy from corners.

Petr should crack the top 30 by time the 2003 NHL Draft rolls around.

Corey Crawford - Goalie - Moncton Wildcats

Crawford is a big goalie who is great at cutting down angles to the shooters,

and uses his glove and blocker well. He plays the butterfly style to a tee,

and with his good lateral movement he makes it difficult for the shooters to

score. Could very well make a bid at becoming the second goalie selected at

this years NHL Draft.

Alexandre Picard - Defense - Halifax Mooseheads

Picard is a solid defenseman with a good offensive game. Picard reads the play

well, breaks up passes, takes his man out along the board very well, throws

the body to get the puck back and clears the front of the net, showing his excellent

defensive awareness. One of the top all-round defencemen available for the draft.

Maxim Lapierre - Centre - Montreal Rocket

Maxim has come out of nowere this season to leave his mark on the 'Q' League.

A talented forward with a scoring touch,. Maxim's stock could very well continue

to rise as the season winds down, or could disapear off the charts as fast as

he appeared.

Stephen Dixon - Centre - Cape Breton Screaming Eagles

Dixon is a real offensive threat on the ice. He has great foot speed with agility

and great acceleration. Dixon is a tremendous stickhandler but chooses not to

over do it with the puck put rather make the safer play. Should move up the

ranking as the season goes on.

Honorable Mention:

Joshua Hennessy - Centre - Quebec Rempatrs

Alexandre Bolduc - Centre - Rouyn-Noranda Huskies

Patrice Bergeron - Centre - Acadie Bathurst Titan

Marc-Andre Bernier - Centre - Halifax Mooseheads

Philippe Dupuis - Centre - Hull Olympiques

Dany Roussin - Centre - Rimouski Oceanic

Players Dropping:

Jonathan Boutin - Goalie - Halifax Mooseheads

After a great start to his 2nd season in Halifax, Jonathan has recently came

back to earth and has struggled of late, allowing weak goals. More recently

he has found himself in the backup role, after Halifax made a trade to obtain

a vetern goalie.

Jean-Francois Jacques - Left Wing - Baie Comeau Drakkar

Jean-Francois has been nothing more then a average player this season in the

"Q" and alot was excepted from him, but has not really done anything

yet to impress.

Jean-Michel Bolduc - Defense - Quebec Remparts

A blueliner with tremendous size, standing at 6'4" . Had many scouts watching

him but has yet to develop into a solid defenseman. Has no physical side to

him, which is dissapointing given his size.

Jimmy Sharrow - Defense - Halifax Mooseheads

Alot was except from Jimmy going into this season. He does possess the skill

to become a good defenceman but has struggled thought the season to play a steady

solid game.

Danick Jasmin-Reil - Right Wing - Rimouski Oceanic

After a poor start to the season with the Montreal Rocket, Danick was dealt

to Rimouski, were his play has started to pick up, but still lacks the consistency

to be a impact player.

Benoit Mondou - Centre - Shawinigan Cataractes

After a strong rookie season in 2001-02 with Baie Comeau, a lot was excepted

from Benoit this season, But after a slow start and injured first half, Benoit

found himself dealt to Shawinigan were maybe he can get things back on track.

Others who have slipped:

Louis-Philippe Martin - Right Wing - Baie Comeau Drakkar

Martin Slovak - Centre - Victoriaville Tigres

Sylvain Michaud - Goalie - Drummondville Voltigeurs

Guillaume Desbiens - Right Wing - Rouyn Noranda Huskies

Danny Stewart - Left Wing - Rimouski Oceanic

Vladimir Kutny - Left Wing - Quebec Remparts

Keep an Eye On:

Martin Houle - Goalie - Cape Breton Screaming Eagles

Playing behind Marc-Andre Fleury has got to be tough for your draft ranking.

However, recently, when Fleury was away playing for Team Canada, Martin stepped

up to show there is great talent in the Cape Breton net behind Marc-Andre.

Vladimir Balaz - Left Wing - Sherbrooke Castors

A very fast, agile and well balanced skater, Vladimir is good at finding open

space on the ice and combined with a good shot he has the makings for a good

scorer. Shows signs of becoming a star player in the QMJHL.

Cory Urquhart - Centre - Montreal Rocket

Still very raw, Cory has a real good wrist shot that is very dangerous and gets

it off very quick. His passing and playmaking skills are both excellent. An

intriguing prospect because of his size and

potential offensive upside.

Maxime Boisclair - Left Wing - Chicoutimi Sagueneens

A great skater with speed, Boisclair has good playmaking and scoring instincts.

He knows where to find the open man, drives to the net and will work for his

goals. His 6'1 frame should help him get noticed come draft day.

Honorable Mention -

Joshua Hennessy - Centre - Quebec Ramparts