QMJHL Report: Acadie-Bathurst Titans

The Acadie-Bathurst Titans have decided to go for it all this year and the season is starting out well for them, as they are on of the top teams in the QMJHL early in the season. Although they are lead mainly by veterans, McKeen's correspondent Rick Springhetti looks at some of the draft-eligible players that are currently in their lineup.

Bruce Hornbrook (2011), C, Acadie-Bathurst

Undersized center is not a afraid to battle for the puck in all areas of the ice .. has dropped the gloves a few times this season .. plays a simple dump and chase game .. is sometimes too quick to get rid of the puck not noticing other available options .. tends to move around all over the place in the defensive zone but would be more effective if he slowed down and played a more simple positional game .. moves his feet at all times .. good straight-ahead speed .. moves very well laterally but his stops are not always controlled .. doesn't really bring any offense to the team.

Olivier Houle (2011), D, Acadie-Bathurst

Very strong physically .. uses his strength effectively along the boards .. pivots are difficult for him .. does not skate very well backwards so he is vulnerable if an opponent has time to pick up speed.. not always aware of where he is on the ice leaving passing or shooting lanes open for opponents .. passes are very hard sometimes too hard for his teammate to get a grip on .. could be effective making a good first pass if he can learn to read the play a little better .. clears the front of the crease well .. has a heavy shot from the point and knows when to use it .. has to focus on being a classic shutdown defender, as he can be effective when he plays within his limits.

Bryce Milson (2011), LW, Acadie-Bahturst

Attended Notre-Dame college in Saskatchewan .. has enough talent to get more icetime but team is loaded with veterans.. has only average speed .. able to keep his body very low when trying to beat defensemen to the outside and complicating things for opposing defensemen.. has a decent shot on net but is hesitant to shoot ..can hide his intentions well when he has room to maneuver with the puck .. tries to finish his checks but needs to improve his upper-body strength to be effective.. too easily knocked-off the puck .. needs to get harder on the puck, especially defensively when he has trouble getting the puck out of his zone when the opposition is pressuring him .. has trouble focusing on the game at times, maybe a result of his lack of icetime.

Radovan Pulis (2011), LW, Acadie-Bathurst

Czech forward was draft eligible last season but missed all of two games last season with a an injured pelvis .. fine skater who can glide quickly .. doesn't always control his body when he' trying to stop quickly .. not overly physical along the boards .. has a hard wristshot that hits the net regularly .. seems more comfortable playing a give and go game .. can make a hard tape-to-tape pass from long distances .. often hesitates with his decision-making in his own zone .. may not be well-suited for the Titans defensive system.