QMJHL: Moose Hunting Season

McKeen's correspondent Chris McCluskey was recently able to get a good look at several Mooseheads available for the 2009 NHL Draft, as well as 2011-eligible Gabriel Desjardins. A pair of 2010-draft eligible Val-d'Or Foreurs was also spotted along the way.

Halifax Mooseheads

Jessyko Bernard (2009), RW, Halifax

A scrappy winger whose work ethic was astutely compared by GM Marcel Patenaude to that of former Moosehead Frederik Cabana .. good offensive instincts .. twice worked for possession of the puck in the corner and intuitively ploughed through traffic in front of the net... easily defended himself from J-F Caron's exception to his unruly efforts, dropping the gloves and winning the tilt decisively

Gabriel Desjardins (2011), LW, Halifax

Skill player was the game's most noticeable forward .. named to the Mooseheads' starting lineup, and earned veteran minutes with consistent effort .. was used on the powerplay .. had a breakaway on the first shift - it was nothing fancy, but managed to get the shot off .. will become increasingly dangerous as he becomes physically stronger, and his first step and finish subsequently improve .. very involved offensively, capitalizing quickly on loose pucks and making the opposition pay for every mistake .. difficult to contain in the offensive zone due to a combination of sleek hands, crafty moves, foot speed and grit... displays good awareness of his teammates' positioning on the ice and uses them instead of taking unnecessary risks with the puck .. defensive game needs attention.

Ned O'Brien (2009), C, Halifax

Didn't arrive at the rink with O'Brien on my radar, but the rookie impressed beginning with an outstanding display of puck control and body strength, fighting off several defenders while finishing the play with a shot .. raw skater makes you wish his feet were as smooth as his hands .. needs help on his skating mechanics, but is quick in full gear .. creative with the puck, but takes dangerous risks that can get him run over by an anticipating defender (spin-o-rama at the blueline got him creamed) .. sees himself as a goal scorer, but shows commitment to his two-way game.

Gabriel O'Connor (2009), D, Halifax

Stay-at-home defender with excellent defensive zone coverage due to combination of size and strong positional play .. there might not be a more efficient blueliner at playing the body in the whole league, intelligently never giving the puck consideration in one-on-one situations and using his size to neutralize the player himself .. was the key to killing off teammate Graham Bona's five minute major in the third period .. good skater but only decent mobility, and must tighten up turns ..lacks a mean streak .. the composure and patience he displays in the defensive zone evaporates in offensive situations, although he possesses a hard wristshot from the point but should use it more often .. his NHL draft stock will increase with every bit more mobile and physically stronger he becomes over the course of the season, while developing a sense and comfort with the puck on the offense (he has no goals and only seven assists over 97 QMJHL games) .. second most experienced QMJHL player headed into the NHL Entry Draft after Rimouski's Jordan Caron.

Travis Randell (2009), C, Halifax

Solid two-way player with above-average intelligence will compete with Thomas Knotek for the centre position on the top line in Halifax .. strong leader who understands his responsibilities in all three zones .. sets up teammates in motion with tape-to-tape passes .. strong on the cycle, and is willing to take a hit .. never takes a shift off .. good skater .. biggest criticism is his tendency to look too hard for the pass.

Val-d'Or Foreurs

Alex Noel (2010), RW, Val d'Or

Rookie forward stood out for offensive vision, grit along the boards and play away from the puck .. sees his teammates well .. stealthily creates space for himself in offensive situations .. tries to diminish stereotypes of players his size by setting up in front of the net and working hard in traffic .. used frequently on the powerplay.

Cedrick Henley (2010), LW, Val d'Or

The Foreurs' fourth overall selection last spring was named to the starting lineup and played a regular shift .. displays good hands and distribution of the puck while in motion .. still has to learn to keep his head up, as his tendency is to look down when he has possession .. not afraid to set up in heavy traffic in front of the net and is being rewarded with points .. still showing some rawness associated with adapting to the speed of the QMJHL, which will dissipate over time .. good vision .. his 6-foot-4, 182-pound frame allows him the advantage of a longer reach than most of his competitors, which he seems aware of.