QMJHL: Sersen, Steber advancing

Scouting notes on six 'Q' players eligible for next summer’s draft, including imports' Michel Sersen and Jan Steber.

Michal Sersen – (2004) D, Rimouski

Sersen is a strong, confident defenceman who displays solid defensive skills and a bit of a physical side … knows how to use his 6-foot-2 frame to play the body … a strong skater, although he could use work on his foot speed … a smart defender who boasts a terrific sense for how to best utilize space … positions himself well while defending one-on-one against the rush, and is very adept at steering forwards out of the play and away from danger … a clean, crisp passer with impressive offensive awareness ... definitely one to watch this season.

Brent Aubin – (2004) RW, Rouyn-Noranda

A strong skater with good agility and balance … possesses just ok speed and acceleration, and must continue to work on getting faster … an excellent stickhandler, who creates opportunities by holding on to the puck for that extra second … boasts good passing and playmaking skills, and an accurate shot … can be a bit of a hotdog on the ice at times … undersize at 5-foot-9, but has a very stocky frame .. looks to have deceptive strength, but at times won't use it … needs to get a little more aggressive, as he can be easily pushed off the puck … also needs to play a tighter defensive game … all in all, Aubin is a talented offensive player who just needs to get quicker and to learn how to fully exploit his strength to open up more ice.

Philippe Roberge – (2004) G, Rouyn-Noranda

Roberge has the ability to make difficult saves due to his very good agility and sense of positioning ... very fast in his crease … reads the game exceptionally well ... knows how to use his body to take away openings from shooters … possessess a decent glove hand ... can get a little down on himself when he lets a bad goal in, which is a vulnerability that he must work to correct ... would also benefit from being more aggressive in the nets ... progressed in leaps and bounds from last year and appears to be getting stronger with each outing.

Jan Steber – (2004) LW, Halifax

The adjustment to the North American game is coming along nicely. He is starting to get comfortable out there, and results are beginning to come. He is a very smooth skater, with speed. Does need to work on his acceleration. Steber possesses great offensive instincts that will blossom as the season rolls on.

Alexandre Vachon – (2004) LW, Rimouski

Vachon is a working man’s player … boasts impressive size at 6-3, 210 pounds … plays a physical game and is strong along the boards … does not show much of an offensive upside, but the drive is definitely there in ample supply … a choppy skater at best … tends to disappear and go unnoticed at times on the ice.

Mark Tobin – (2004) RW, Rimouski

A very big, hard-working forward who works his tail off each and every shift … excels at playing the body, although he still has room to upgrade his overall physical game given his more-than-ample sized frame … shows signs of good offensive awareness … skates well with decent speed.

News around the 'Q'

SHKOTOV IN .. The Moncton Wildcats added Russian forward Alexei Shkotov to their roster … By adding Shkotov, the Wildcats now have three Europeans on their roster and will have to trade or release one of: Shkotov (19), Konstantin Zakharov (18) or Martins Karsums (17) … FISER OUT .. The Quebec Remparts have released 17 year old Czech Forward Vaclav Fiser … In 8 games with the Remparts, Fiser picked up 1 assist and was not fitting into the team’s plans … The Remparts are rumored to be interested in Martin Karsums from Moncton to fill their Euro quota … CROSBY LEADS .. Sidney Crosby took over the scoring race last weekend in the QMJHL, after only managing 1 assist in games against Halifax and Cape Breton … Sidney broke out in Bathurst with 2 goals and 3 assists to give him 32 points in 15 games, taking over the title from Jean-Michel Daoust of the Gatineau Olympiques (Crosby now has 37 points after 18 games, four up on Daoust) … MOOSEHEAD MOVES .. The Halifax Mooseheads made several roster moves, first by trading overage center Derrick Kent to the Gatineau Olympiques for an 8th round Midget Pick in 2004 … Kent, who played in his 200th QMJHL game with the Mooseheads on October 19th, has 4 goals and 3 assists in 11 games this season … also released was 18-year-old winger Kyle Doucet, who had three points in eight games with Halifax … He will report to Truro of the Maritime Junior A Hockey League and is subject to recall by the Mooseheads … DAVIS RETURNS … Halifax also learned that overage forward George Davis will return to the team after a brief stint in the AHL/ECHL … The rugged winger will be a welcome addition to a Mooseheads roster which lacks toughness … With the addition of Davis, Halifax will once again be carrying 4 overagers (Steve Villeneuve, Bobby Clarke, Randy Upshall & Davis) and will rotate them until one is traded.