QMJHL: News and Notes

Covering the goings on in the QMJHL on the league's opening weekend.

The arrival of highly touted Slovak prospect Marek Zagrapan in Chicoutimi has been a hot topic of discussion and thus far the draft-eligible forward has not disappointed. Zagrapan burst onto the scene with two goals and an assist in his team’s opener. He was, however, held off the score sheet Sunday afternoon. Meanwhile, Quebec Remparts import Alexander Radulov has matched Zagrapan’s offensive output through two games.

Other prospects of note to make successful league debuts include Boston Bruins draft pick David Krejci of Gatineau (who picked up a pair of goals in three games) and Columbus Blue Jackets’ power forward selection Adam Pineault, who amassed a pair of goals in opening action.

The Sidney Crosby express was right on schedule on Rimouski’s opening night against Rouyn-Noranda. The splendid protégé picked up a goal and two helpers in a 6-3 thumping and followed that up brilliantly with a one goal-three assist performance for a total of seven points after two games; a lead he is not likely to relinquish the rest of the way.

Skilled Russian import Gennady Churilov has been held off the scoresheet thus far in his first QMJHL campaign. The 17-year old Quebec Remparts’ forward is expected to be a big-time offensive contributor but an adjustment period is expected due to issues of language, age and style of game. P.E.I. newcomer Slava Truhno injured his shoulder in the second period of Rocket’ opener and is expected to miss a week of action.

League favorites the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies and Halifax Mooseheads stumbled out of the gates to begin the season. Halifax has tied both of its matches so far; they blew a 3-1 lead to Cape Breton on Sunday. The Huskies were shell shocked in both of their games, falling to Quebec (3-6) and Rimouski (also 3-6).

OF NOTE

Touted 2005 draft-eligible sniper Guillaume Latendresse was not in the lineup to begin the season. He is still recovering from off-season shoulder surgery from late last season but is expected to return to action on October 1.

ROSTER MOVES

Rearguard Juraj Liska – an offseason picked up by Drummondville from Bathurst – was a late cut by the Voltigeurs prior to opening night. Also disappointing at camp was Buthurst’s third overall import pick Artem Artemiev who was released by the club and is expected to return home to Russia.

Bathurst enforcer Jonathan Tremblay was slated to play as an overager with the Titan, but following a successful rookie camp with the San Jose Sharks he was dispatched to Cleveland of the AHL. The 2003 draft pick should play a spot role to begin with and there is a chance he could be returned to the QMJHL.

Also having a successful rookie camp was Francois Caron, who had a tryout with the Montreal Canadians’ rookie team. The former Moncton star is likely to stick at the minor-pro level for the remainder of the year.