QMJHL: Tousignant ‘Super-Pest’ Rocket

The St. John's Fog Devils and the PEI Rocket recently played a two-game set at Mile One Center. PEI won the opener 4-1, but St. John's rebounded with a 5-4 win in the rematch. McKeen's was on hand and files this report on PEI Rocket 2008 draft-eligible hopefuls Danick Malouin, Jordan Southorn, Jan Kana and Mathieu Tousignant, who left a lasting impression on this series with his overall play.

Danick Malouin (2008), D, PEI

The 6-foot-3, 183-pound defenseman hails from Granby, QC .. in the starting lineup for both games .. paired with Dylan Quaile on the second defense unit .. played in all situations: regular shift, powerplay, penalty kill and four-on-four .. size clearly evident, long reach and active stick (not just on the puck, but the body as well) .. has long strides, steady on skates, but not overly fast or mobile, although he is smooth in transition- switching from skating forward to backward .. was slow moving the puck in game one, passes were crisp, but inconsistent .. moved the puck much better in game two, both quicker and consistent passes .. displayed ability to shoot the puck hard, but had trouble getting shots on net .. more of a stay-at-home rearguard, but did look comfortable in the attacking zone in game one, especially on the powerplay .. looked to join the rush more in game two .. aggressive coverage in the defensive zone in both games, tried to be physical, but positioning suspect at times .. overall a steady game one, solid decision-making overall, made simple and safe plays, directed traffic/strong communication, displayed leadership and definitely has a mean streak - usually involved stickwork .. played a similar game in the rematch, but was more undisciplined (checking-from-behind and tripping infractions) .. showed character and leadership in game two in coming to the defense of Mathieu Tousignant, as the rearguard dropped his gloves with Fog Devils captain Matt Fillier - a more experienced fighter - who clipped Tousignant .. finished the two-game set with no points, an even rating, 11 PIM's (including fight) and three shots on goal.

Jordon Southorn (2008), D, PEI

The 6-foot-2, 170-pound rearguard hails from Pointe-Claire, QC .. paired on the first defense unit with Bryan Main in both games .. played in all situations: regular shift, powerplay, penalty kill and four-on-four .. logged significant and effective minutes in game one .. logged a ton of icetime in game two .. mobile rearguard, skates well, quick strides, choppy at times, showed good speed retrieving the puck and on the attack .. moved the puck well in game one, strong, crisp passes .. struggled moving the puck in game two .. does not possess a hard shot and struggled to get shots through to the net .. offensive instincts clearly evident, as he looked to lead and join rush on a number of occasions .. seemed to be focused too much on offense overall .. made smart decisions with respect to pinching and not pinching in game one, decision-making suspect in game two .. looked strong and comfortable stickhandling in open ice and in traffic .. not overly physical, but was involved in one-on-one coverage and battled along the boards and in front of the net .. displayed strong communication skills with goaltender and defensive partners .. did a good job of protecting the puck in game one, but did not have the same result in game two (turnovers and give-a-ways) .. finished the series with one goal, one assist, a plus-one rating and two shots on goal.

Mathieu Tousignant (2008), C, PEI

The 5-foot-11, 185-pound pivot hails from St-Etienne-de-Lauzon, QC .. selected in the second round, 28th overall, in the 2005 QMJHL draft by the Baie-Comeau Drakkar .. was exchanged from Baie-Comeau to the PEI Rocket, along with rearguards Raphael Neiderer and Myles Gomes for Ottawa Senators draft pick Pierre-Luc Lessard on 2008-01-07 .. 'Super-Pest' is a quick way to describe Tousignant and his contribution to the Rocket lineup in the two-games against the Fog Devils .. the difference here being that the young center is capable of actually playing the game as well .. make no mistake though, being a thorn in the side of the opposition was definitely a huge part of his game in this series .. was in the starting lineup for both games .. centered the first line with LW Martin Latal (Phx) and RW Geoff Walker in both contests .. hunched-over skater with wide strides .. displayed speed, jump and energy in both games .. was quick moving the puck, used linemates effectively, displayed good vision and soft hands on more than a few occasions .. displayed a quick release (snap and wristshots), displayed ability to get into shooting position, but had a hard time finishing (not for lack of effort) .. displayed stickhandling ability, was comfortable with the puck on both his forehand and backhand .. the puck seemed to follow Tousignant all over the ice, as if it were attached to a string or if it was a magnet .. displayed willingness to play without the puck, and was aware of his defensive responsibilities .. strong on the forecheck and in his puck pursuit all over the ice .. worked hard on the backcheck, second efforts clearly displayed .. solid work along the boards, strong cycle game, involved physically, battled for every inch of ice .. extremely aggressive, in-your-face style, over aggressive at times to the point of being undisciplined on two occasions .. displayed willingness to venture into high traffic areas .. was in the middle (cause) of scrums .. showed ability to get under the skin of the opposition .. one concern is whether Tousignant can play at that level every night .. finished the two-game set with one assist, a plus-one rating, 11 PIM's (including fight), seven shots on goal and took 46 faceoffs, winning 27 (58.7%).

Jan Kana (2008), RW, PEI

The 5-foot-7, 176-pound right-winger is a native of Ostrava, Czech Republic .. skated on the third line in game one with LW Benjamin Casavant and C Matthew Lachaine .. the trio skated together in the rematch, but this time as the second line .. diminutive in size, but not heart .. skates well, low to the ice, displayed quickness, speed, agility and is surprisingly strong on his skates .. had more jump in game one then he did in game two .. moved the puck well, but forced passes at times .. displayed a quick release, used mostly snap and wristshots .. was involved offensively in both games .. strong play on the perimeter, good vision and anticipation, managed to find open ice .. is deceptive (shifty) in the attacking zone, but was overpowered on a few occasions .. responsible defensively and displayed willingness to backcheck in game one, never put forth the same effort in game two .. despite lack of size, he battled hard and never shied away from contact, and usually was the one initiating contact .. in game two, he picked up a roughing-after-the-whistle penalty, as a result of a late hit on Mario Kempe .. it was not only undisciplined, but a dirty play, clearly showing frustration .. finished the two-game set with two goals, a minus-one rating, eight shots on goal (two dangerous), four PIM's and took three faceoffs, winning two.