WHL: Gilbert Brule, Beauty and the Beast

There is little doubt that the top prospect out of the CHL eligible for the 2005 NHL Entry Draft is Rimouski's Sidney Crosby. However, there is a pretty special player named Gilbert Brule in Vancouver who also has scouts salivating over him. We have notes featuring him and a few other Giant' prospects.

Todd Ford, G, (Toronto Maple Leafs)

Gigantic netminder takes up most of the net even when down on his knees .. had a puck beat him, but rang off the goaltender's best friend .. very quick at back on his feet .. handles the puck with confidence .. played with focus, although he didn't look great when beaten through the legs .. got himself square to the shooter and kept the rebound in front of him .. came across quickly with the pad down to stone a wide open forward .. got handed his lunch when a player deked him out of his jock on a short handed breakaway goal .. communicates with his defense .. stopped a two on zero breakaway .. steers most rebounds in to the corner.

Mark Fistric, D, (2004)

Partnered with 20-year old Kevin Seibel .. regular on the penalty kill .. exceptional straightaway speed and very good acceleration .. solid on his skates, not that surprising given his massive physique .. made a few moves at the point to try and get a clear shot, but got nothing on it .. knocked the puck right out of the air using excellent hand-eye coordination .. flubbed a shot from the point .. needs to be more aggressive in front of his net and develop the mean streak that would leave forwards reluctant to stand in front of the net .. let loose a heavy wrist shot from the point that just missed the net.

Gilbert Brule, C, (2005)

Strong on the puck .. drives hard to the net, in fact there is little he does that he doesn't do with passion .. excellent mobility, especially in high traffic areas .. makes plays at top speed .. scored early in the game off a rebound in the slot .. loves to get involved physically and has a bit of nasty streak that will generate space as he gets bigger and stronger .. amazing deke in close and almost beat the goalie, however his backhand shot hit the post .. looks for the open man and has the playmaking skills to deliver the puck right on the tape .. displays a willingness to fight through checks .. will find the open spaces in the offensive zone .. God-given imagination that only the super stars have .. a regular on the power play where he has been used at the point on many occasions .. pays the price in high traffic areas and is fearless in front of the net .. very quick, with tremendous acceleration .. about the only negative to his game is that at times he can be taken off his game and take an undisciplined penalty for retaliation.