QMJHL: Previewing The Midget Draft
Steve Gionet looks at the upcoming QMJHL midget draft to be held in Chicoutimi on June 4th. Shattuck-St. Mary's phenom Angelo Esposito is arguably the top forward available, while Alex Grant of Antigonish will likely be the first defenseman selected.
Angelo Esposito, 6'1/170, Forward
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Shattuck (Prep) 55, 25-27-52
With exceptional skill and game breaking talent, Esposito may be the best 89 born player in the world and is already drawing headlines as the top prospect for the 2007 NHL draft. A magician with the puck, Esposito is moves with nifty stickhandling moves, able to weave in and out of traffic and beat the best one-on-one. Esposito's knack for finding open ice is impressive as well as his knack for making those around him better. Has the upside to dominate the CHL before long, though he has been considering the NCAA route.
Alex Grant, 6'2/170, Defense
Antigonish (Jr. A) 46, 7-7-14
Amazing poise - possibly one of the top defensemen in his age group in Canada. With elite positional and play reading skills, Grant is a force in the defensive end with his knack for closing down passing lanes. In the offensive end he picks the proper times to pinch and has the ability to make things happen when unleashing a devastating point shot or a snappy one-timer. Vision and passing skills are top notch. Needs to work on his speed and ability to rush the puck out of his zone and is still developing a physical aspect to his game. Has every trait to be a franchise player at the junior level.
Brad Malone, 6'3/195, Forward
Cushing Academy (Prep)
Splendid playmaker generates chances with strength and ability to control the play along the boards. With nifty puck control skills Malone has a knack for putting the puck in the net. This guy is a legit offensive weapon who makes things happen in the opponents' zone. Malone has the ability to take over a game with his combination of skill and size. May opt for NCAA.
Jean-Simon Allard, 6'1/175, Forward
Jonquiere (Quebec AAA) 10, 2-2-4
Though he was put into a tough spot being asked to be the team's top player at the age of 15, Allard gradually established himself as a as arguably the top player of his age group in the province. A game breaker, he is a superb stickhandler with soft hands, excellent vision and elite finishing upside. Will dominate soon if he fills out properly.
Logan MacMillan, 6'1/170, Forward
Notre Dame (Prep)
A definitive draft day wildcard, even though he is still projected to go in the top-10. MacMillan's offensive numbers took a bit of a hit last season due to his new-found dedication to defence, but he remains an attractive commodity for what he brings on offence. An excellent skater with quick feet, he is strong but smooth on the puck and can unleash a hard shot on the rush. Has a tendency to come up big in key game situations, with the ability to turn it into an extra gear when he wants to.
Steven Lund, 6'3/185, Defense
Dartmouth (NS Major Midget) 35, 7-19-26
Very raw but shows fine skills and has size that he has been known to use. Acceptable positionally but is more attractive for his puck moving upside. Has a cannon shot and can distribute the puck acceptably. A very good skater for his size but there are some question marks about his decision-making and vision.
Keven Guerette-Charland, 5'11/175, Forward
Magog (Quebec AAA) 42, 26-30-56
Pure sniper has moxie and competitiveness. Very good speed and ability to find open ice. Loves to attack the net and dishes off the puck instinctively well. Shows nice two-way upside but he's not as offensively adept as his numbers may indicate.
5'9/175, Forward
Regents (QAAA) 42, 18-29-47
Skilled stickhandler and talented playmaker, Stinziani astounds with excellent vision and keen offensive instincts. Quick feet, very good ability but must learn to be more selfish with the puck on his stick as he lacks a shooter's mentality. Doesn't yet play very well in traffic and must learn how to take a hit. A definite star in the making but the pieces need to come together.
Scott Brannon, 6'0/170, Forward
Pictou (NS Major Midget) 33, 21-26-47
Erratic kid is fast, physical and has good hands. Good vision, hard, accurate shot, quick stick. Very slick, quick, always stays in motion. Must work more consistently in the corners and in traffic. Often disappears only to reappear with a dominating shift. A bit of an enigma but has upside at both ends.
Nicola Riopel, 5'11/160, Goalie
Antoine (QAAA) 12 06 2.37 .914
Competitive butterfly netminder is appropriately the next in line of talented Quebec League netminders. Quick, agile, focused with fast legs, squared approach and lively glove.
Maxime Macenauer, 5'10/165, Forward
Predateurs (Quebec AAA) 37, 17-22-39
Generates tremendous speed, agility, excitement on every shift. Great set of hands with shifty moves. Not a great finisher but that is in large part attributed due to some bad habits in his own zone. Likes to do everything himself and fails to establish a rapport with his linemates.
Olivier Fortier, 5'11/155, Forward
Blizzards (Quebec AAA) 31, 7-17-24
Talented but timid in traffic. Quick feet and excellent acceleration. Nice quickness, good offensive decision-making. Not a factor defensively. Played most of last season on the third line, so his output is more impressive than it would seem.
Nicolas Sigouin, 6'1/170, Defense
Forestiers (Quebec AAA) 35, 3-15-18
Needs to grow but he uses his size well to take guys out along the boards and swift skating skills to keep speedy attackers away from the net. Not really aggressive enough yet on offence to provide immediate results on the scoreboard. Needs to shoot the puck more from the point and pinch in more boldly.
Ben MacAskill, 6'1/190, Defense
Cape Breton (NSAAA) 34, 5-22-27
An Aaron Johnson-type. A brainy puck carrier, he makes things happen carrying the puck out of his own end with a crisp breakout pass. A quick thinker, he finds the open man instinctively well but lacks great quickness to go far with the puck himself.
5'9/150
Magog (Quebec AAA) 41, 25-47-72
Small but slick at avoiding hits due to his quick feet and excellent acceleration and overall speed. Willing to go in and out of traffic and beat defenders one-on-one. Excellent vision, quick eye for the developing action but is not a factor defensively and is very light, even for his frame.
Kevin Marshall, 5'11/180, Defense
Riverains (Quebec AAA) 39, 2-9-11
Solid, dependable rearguard makes high percentage plays at both ends of the ice. Sound positionally, Marshall can tie up his man effectively and limit his space with quick feet and physical presence. He reads the play well and is able to find the open man.
Marc-Andre Laroche, 6'1/180, Forward
Magog (Quebec AAA) 41, 8-23-31
Gifted skater with a powerful stride and excellent balance. Loves to drive the net and works effectively in traffic. Dishes out strong hits in traffic and in the corners. Just an all-around competitor in the Jean-Francois Jacques-mold. Doesn't have great hands but he can finish, although it's rarely pretty.
Michael Biega, 5'11/165, Forward
Salisbury (Prep) 23, 9-15-24
Comparable to Jarome Iginla, Biega has creative hands, excellent work ethic and a physical edge. His relatively low ranking is due to speculation that he is more likely to opt for the NCAA than playing in the QMJHL. Biega has a strong, balanced stride, good vision and a big-time shot to boost his stock. On talent alone, he's a top-three pick.
Maxime Cliche, 6'5/195, Forward
Elites (Espoire)
Tall but rather lean. Chiche uses his size effectively in the corners and will drive the net and create space for his linemates. Has decent hands and can dish off the puck quickly and accurately. Must add bulk and, at this time, it looks like he'll spend another year in Midget.
The Rest:
Raphael D'Orso, 5'9/160, Goalie
Predator (Quebec AAA) 08 11 3.46 .896
Small, erratic but is very quick and elastic .. frequently seen making highlight-reel saves but is also prone to softies.
Gabriel Carle, 6'0/150, Defense
Outaouais (Espoir)
Provides offense but is a wash on defense .. creative passer with a dangerous point shot but is very skinny.
Brad Tesink, 6'3/180, Defense
Saint John (NB Major Midget) 29, 4-9-13
Project likes to involve himself physically .. awkward skater but can see the ice and unleashes a strong slapper.
Sebastien Haspeck, 5'10/150, Forward
Laval (QAAA) 42, 29-20-49
Pure scorer is good at finding open space .. lacks size and strength.
Lucas Del Vecchio, 6'2/185, Defense
West Island (Quebec AAA) 41, 0-6-6
Strong and sturdy and is not hesitant to throw his weight around .. just nothing exciting here.
Marc-Antoine Desnoyers, 6'1/160, Defense
Forestiers (Quebec AAA) 40, 3-6-9
Not much poise but distributes the puck well .. slender and stronger guys just run him over.
Jordan Dewey, 6'0/165, Defense
Norte Dame Argos (Saskatchewan Midget AAA) 41, 2-5-7
Once considered among the top defensemen in his age group but has been underscouted .. excellent skater and playmaking potential but didn't play much.
Matthew Lachaine, 5'10/175, Forward
Foresteris (QAAA) 39, 23-35-58
Good hands and offensive instincts but unspectacular gear .. must fill out.
Simon Danis-Pepin, 6'6/190, Defense
Gatineau (Quebec AAA) 39, 6-31-37
Mammoth kid shows a willingness to use his size but he'll need patient tutelage .. has smarts and work ethic.
Ryan Sparling, 5'10/170, Forward
Cape Breton Tradesmen (NS Major Midget) 33, 28-36-64
Exciting player with terrific imagination, soft hands and good speed .. could sneak into round one.
Tom Joly, 5'9/165, Forward
Forestiers (Quebec AAA) 42, 25-35-60
Speed demon is crafty and elusive .. lacks size but he makes up for it with his hands and quickness.
Josh MacKinnon, 6'3/215, Defense
Summerside (Maritime Jr. A) 30, 3-6-9
Defensive rearguard is built like a tank but isn't consistently physical .. not a good skater.
Jeff Desjardins, 5'10/170, Forward
Forestiers (Quebec AAA) 42, 17-13-30
Produced impressively playing mostly on third and forth lines .. has intriguing hands.
Andrew White, 5'10/175 , Forward
Pembroke (Ontario Jr. A) 48, 10-12-22
Crafty passer, diligent all-around worker who gets involved in all corners .. mature kid is willing to learn.
Francis Boulianne, 6'4/185, goalie
Lac St Jean (Quebec Espoire)
Very good goalie will be picked up sooner than later .. plays a butterfly style with excellent leg speed and a lively glove.
Luc Melanson, 6'0/200, Forward
Miramachie (Maritime Jr. A) 48, 11-7-18
Outstanding worker and competitor .. physical, aggressive in the corners and shows some imagination with the puck.
Matt Brenton, 5'8/150, Forward
Notre Dame (Saskatchewan AAA) 41, 10-9-19
Underscouted and may opt for the college route but he has considerable skill and a big heart despite lacking in size.