QMJHL Report: Val-dOr Foreurs

The Val d'Or Foreurs are one of the small-market teams in the QMJHL and as a result, they have had a difficult time attracting top draft picks and European talent. Nonetheless, the organization is working hard at developing their young talent and while their record is not great, they've battled hard on most nights. McKeen's correspondent Rick Springhetti looks at a few Foruers eligible for the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

Olivier Archambault (2011), LW, Val-d'Or

First overall pick at the QMJHL entry draft in 2009 .. smaller player, he's a fast skater who can shift directions quickly .. able to jump into openings quickly enough to draw penalties against slower opponents .. has a tendency to hold on to the puck for too long .. when he does take the time to look at a passing option, he does manage to get it to his teammates stick .. shot is a little erratic from far away but when he attacks the crease, he can be an effective scorer.. feisty player who can be guilty of getting retaliation penalties at times .. tendency of dragging his shifts a little too much .. comes back to support his defense but has to be more consistent .. not a very physical player.

Gabriel Beaupre (2011), D, Val-d'Or

Young defenseman is seeing a lot of minutes with a rebuilding Val D'Or team .. not a very fluid backward skater but still quick enough to handle opposing forwards well .. first-step quickness is adequate .. strong enough to tangle-up his opponents in the crease .. has shown improvements in his reads defensively .. willing shot blocker .. not very imaginative offensively, he keeps his game simple and will use the boards to get the puck out .. has a hard wristshot, but seems hesitant to use it .. hard hitter who won't get needless penalties .. seems like a go-to guy with the coaching staff.

Thierry Comtois (2011), C, Val-d'Or

Lanky center .. defensively, he over commits and may be better off playing more patiently .. he does give an honest effort in his own zone and coaching staff is awarding him with some time on the PK .. ok skater, should improve speed and coordination as his lower-body strength improves .. still has trouble with his turns for now .. brings very little offense to the table .. choppy stickhandler who doesn't hold on to the puck for long but will instead get the puck deep into the offensive zone when he has the chance .. hard hitter when he has a chance .. plays a strong forechecking game .. one of the better faceoff men among rookies in the QMJHL.

Jean-Francois Leblanc (2011), C, Val-d'Or

Tall center who anticipates the play well .. first few steps are not great but does fine once he gets going .. more of a finesse player, he has very good peripheral vision and the passing skills to take advantage of that vision .. very soft hands with the puck .. surprising one-on-one moves that can catch opponents off-guard .. quick release on his shot but should try to use his size better to create space for himself .. uses his long reach well in all areas of the ice .. hesitant to make decisions in the defensive zone, which often has him scrambling for position .. too easily pushed off the puck - especially evident in the faceoff circle.

Artem Sergeev (2011), D, Val-d'Or

Played Tier 1 hockey in Chicago last year .. offensive defenseman with a very hard shot from the point, but must get it to the goaltender with more regularity .. fine skater, he picks up speed very quickly .. has a long stride with powerful legs .. very strong body overall .. can be a dangerous defenseman, as he tends to keep his arms up high when delivering hits .. will drop the gloves and can handle himself well .. still learning the defensive game .. tends to be out of position at times picking up the wrong man or being overly aggressive .. is being used in mostly offensive situations for now, but has the tools needed to take on a bigger role as the season wears on.