QMJHL: Val-dOr to the Max

The Val-d'Or Foreurs started the season with a 0-14 record and ended it with a 12-1 loss to Montreal in a must-win situation. The organisation is now hoping that the youngsters on the team will be able to take a step forward next season. Mckeen's correspondent Rick Springhetti looks at many of these youngsters and a few of the drafted players such as Boston Bruins prospect Maxime Sauve.

Samuel Morneau (Car), LW, Val D'Or

Very adept at the give and go game, especially with his ability to spot the open teammate even when moving at a fast pace .. would like to see him play with more authority along the boards .. needs to get more involved in the play, as he plays too much on the perimeter .. gives up on the play at times .. excellent peripheral vision, can spot a teammate anywhere .. fine skater but he needs to keep his feet moving.

Max Sauve (Bos), C, Val-d'Or

Seems to always be involved in the game .. has improved his hockey IQ since last season .. one of the best skaters in the league, he effortlessly picks up a lot of speed in only a few strides .. keeps his head up at all times when making a play .. he is sometimes too fast for his own good, as he can lose track of where his teammates are on the ice .. not shy of going to the net when a scoring chance arises .. shows some feistiness and is not intimated by physical play, but does not initiate it much.

Marco Scandella (Min), D, Val-d'Or

Strong player, he does not hesitate to throw his body around .. covers his man well in general, but he has some trouble with quick, smaller players especially when forced to make quick turns .. makes very fast decisions in all three zones .. quick to spot his teammates, which helps him get out of tough situations .. effective along the boards .. very heavy shot .. great ability to settle down the play when the pressure is on .. started showing a more offensive side to his game.

Alexandre Carrier (2009), RW, Val-d'Or

Tall player, he still seems to be working on his coordination .. strong wristshot, he can hit the top of the net with some power behind it .. still just an average skater, he should improve as he gets stronger .. not much imagination behind his play, as he is a straight north-south player .. sometimes gets caught in dead-end plays in the offensive zone .. finishes all his checks .. handles himself well when dropping the gloves and surprises opponents with a strong left.

Sasha Famin (2009), RW, Val-d'Or

Undersized player, he moves very quickly .. hard to contain for opposing defensemen once he gets going .. has a pretty good wristshot, but does not hit the net often enough .. aggravates opposing players when he uses his speed and an active stick along the walls, but does not initiate contact .. very good stickhandler, he does try to do too much at times though .. has to improve on his play in his own zone, as he has the tendency to lose his man at times.

Cedrick Henley (2010), LW, Val-d'Or

Big player, fairly mobile .. needs to fill-out .. very choppy puckhandler.. will go to the net hard when the time is right .. needs to be careful not to over commit in the offensive zone, as he gets caught up the ice at times .. in the defensive zone, he will hound his player non-stop, which suits the teams man-to-man coverage strategy on defence .. still has trouble controlling his lanky frame .. more physical than most players his age.

Alex Noel (2010), C, Val-d'Or

Needs to work on his positioning in the defensive zone, as he tends to hang a little high at times and is a little hesitant when deciding on where to go .. seems to get very hesitant once the game gets physical .. picks up some good speed fairly quickly, but too hesitant to go to the front of the net and that takes away some scoring chances that he may have created for himself .. easily pushed off the puck when he is not moving his feet and taking advantage of his low center of gravity .. good hands, especially on his release .. has to work on his faceoff skills to take advantage of his offensive game.