Hockey's Future - The #1 Online Prospects Resource

It is widely acknowledged that the 2005 QMJHL draft crop is very strong, highlighted of course by the most hyped prospect since Eric Lindros, Sidney Crosby, who has been the consensus first overall pick in the draft for a number of years. But the strength of the draft goes beyond Crosby, with three other very high end forwards who all may go in the top 15, a defenseman who is a lock to go in the first round, and a number of goaltenders with first two round potential. It would be shocking if the QMJHL had any less than five first round picks this year, and could have as many as eight. The league has upwards of 20 prospects who could conceivably be picked in the top 100.

 

Below are the top 40 QMJHL prospects for the upcoming draft. Included are a number of under-sized prospects as potential players teams may select if they feel that smaller players will be able to succeed in the "new" NHL, and also several potential tough guys of the future. Also included are profiles on four prospects who have been passed over last year that may be selected by a team in this draft.

 

 

1. Sidney Crosby, C – Rimouski Oceanic

5’11, 190 lbs.

 

There is little else that can be said about Sidney Crosby. Some NHL teams have told their scouts not to bother sending reports in on the young phenom. Crosby very well may be a generational player, a talent with skill that only comes around every 15-20 years. There is very little he doesn’t do extremely well. He’s a wizard with the puck and has vision and playmaking ability which some have compared to that of Wayne Gretzky. He has a good repertoire of shots and can score from anywhere in the offensive zone. It’s not just his incredible offensive talents that make him such a highly touted prospect, but his ability to get it done all over the ice. Strong on his skates, Crosby isn’t afraid of physical play and uses his body to knock opponents off the puck. Crosby is an effective back-checker and knows his role in his own zone. Crosby also demonstrated that he’s chippy, putting up 84 penalty minutes this season. The only thing lacking in Crosby’s resume is a thoroughly dominant performance in a major international tournament.

 

Projection: Hall of Famer, potential perennial Art Ross Trophy winner, first overall pick.

 

Team	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Rimouski	62	66	102	168	84	+78
Playoffs	13	14	17	31	16	+11

 

 

2. Guillaume Latendresse, RW – Drummondville Voltigeurs

6’2, 222 lbs.

 

Latendresse began the season as a highly-touted prospect but his play failed to meet expectations as he recovered from an offseason shoulder surgery. His game picked up momentum over the course of the season, however, and he finished at more than a point per game, and 17^th in league scoring. Latendresse plays an all-around game and is a power forward. He uses his body to throw thunderous checks and fight for positioning in front of the net and along the boards while battling for position. Latendresse has good instincts and always drives hard to the net. Defensively he’s responsible and is willing to lie down to block shots. He ended his season on a personal high note, as he was dominant in a first-round loss to the Moncton Wildcats. He was, however, average at the Under-18 World Championships.

 

Projection: First line power forward, 6-15 overall pick.

 

Team	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Drummondville	65	29	49	78	76	+7
Playoffs	6	6	4	10	7	+3

 

 

3. Alex Bourret, C – Lewiston Maineiacs

5’10, 214 lbs.

 

Bourret’s third season in the QMJHL was his coming out party. The short and stocky power forward led his team in scoring, once again increasing his offensive statistics sizeably. He is a strong skater and a tireless worker who helped lead Lewiston into the second round of this year’s playoffs with his blend of skill and physicality. The most dominant aspect of Bourret’s game is his physical play. Rare is the shift that he does not throw a heavy body check. Built like a tank, Bourret hits to hurt – often – but he also does so cleanly. He is willing to get his nose dirty, and stick up for his teammates. He played regularly in all situations, notching seven power-play goals and five short-handed goals, and proved to be a clutch scorer, pick up five game-winning markers as well. Regardless of his short (if stocky) stature, Bourret’s lead-by-example style; his grit, desire, and excellent two-way awareness makes him an attractive pick early in the draft.

 

Projection: Top two line power forward, energy player; early to middle first round.

 

Team	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Lewiston	65	31	55	86	178	+27
Playoffs	8	6	8	14	25	+2

 

 

4. Marek Zagrapan, C – Chicoutimi Sagueneens

6'1, 185 lbs.

 

Zagrapan has been a major force throughout the year in Chicoutimi. Since being selected 15^th overall in the 2004 European import draft, he has become a fan favorite while putting solid numbers as a rookie. Zagrapan is a very quick forward known for his tremendous balance while in possession of the puck. He has one of the fastest hands in the league and can be deadly when he battles the puck with an opponent. However, he tends to be overly emotional when the play gets rougher, giving him his share of penalties.

 

Projection: First line center; sixth-18th overall.

 

Team	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Chicoutimi	59	32	50	82	50	+6
Playoffs	17	11	6	17	28	+2

 

 

5. Luc Bourdon, D – Val-d’Or Foreurs

6’2, 205 lbs.

 

Bourdon had a strong season in Val-d’Or, anchoring the struggling team’s blueline, playing in every game the team played. Bourdon is a very good two-way defenseman who plays very well in his own zone and can contribute offensively, as he showed this season with 13 goals and 32 points. He makes the appropriate first pass and has a good, hard shot. It is easy to look at Bourdon’s -39 rating and assume that it indicates poor defensive play. However, in this case, it is reflective of the fact that Bourdon averaged 30 minutes of ice time or more on a weak team. Bourdon can be a physical force and hits hard, both along the boards and in the open ice. His positional play is good, but sometimes he is too aggressive, resulting in penalties. He played well in a key role at the U-18’s, and is a candidate to make the 2006 WJC team.

 

Projection: Top pairing defenseman; 16^th to 25^th overall pick.

 

Team	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Val-d’Or	70	13	19	32	117	-39

 

 

6. Alexandre Vincent, G – Chicoutimi Sagueneens

6'4, 195 lbs

Vincent became Chicoutimi’s No. 1 goaltender after Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers signed with the Edmonton Road Runners of the American Hockey League. Vincent showed sign of brilliance last year when he registered three shutouts and 11 wins in 34 games. He doubled his wins and had a very good save percentage in a highly offensive league. His size will help him find a spot in the NHL soon enough. Vincent will need to be more consistent as a goaltender by proving his mental toughness in the playoffs. He was able to elevate his performance against Baie-Comeau and Quebec but then regressed versus a strong Rimouski team, losing his spot to backup Brandon Verge. However, Chicoutimi will be a superior team next year and Vincent will lead the way. He has the potential to be the best goaltender coming from the QMJHL since Fleury.

 

Projection: Potential starting goalie; late first to second round pick.

 

Team	GP	W	L	T	GAA	SV%
Chicoutimi	49	24	13	4	3.01	.904
Playoffs	14	7	6	0	3.14	.905

 

 

7. Jean-Philippe Levasseur, G – Rouyn-Noranda Huskies

6’0, 189 lbs.

 

Levasseur has been the victim of a teammate stealing his spotlight in the second half of the season. During the first half, the young netminder played so well that the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies traded his competition – Philippe Roberge – to Drummondville for oft-inconsistent New York Islanders prospect Sylvain Michaud. Michaud sparkled since his arrival, and Levasseur’s playing time decreased significantly. Levasseur only started three games after the league’s trade deadline. Therein lies the problem in projecting Levasseur’s draft position. Positionally sound, with a solid glove hand, and very quick getting from the ice to his feet and from post-to-post, Levasseur brings a lot to the table, though he was relatively inconsistent in the few opportunities he had later in the season. His draft position will depend largely on whether or not scouts were in attendance during his strong performances in the first half of the season, rather than his sporadic play in the Michaud period.

 

Projection: Starting goaltender; late first to early third round.

 

Team	GP	W	L	T	GAA	SV%
Rouyn-Noranda	29	8	14	2	3.83	0.882
Playoffs	3	0	0	0	3.76	0.893

 

 

8. Slava Trukhno, LW – PEI Rocket

6’1 196 lbs

 

A Russian player who is reportedly pursuing Danish citizenship, Trukhno was one of the most impressive import players in the QMJHL this season playing on a weak Prince Edward Island team. Partially due to his all-around capabilities and partially because of the state of the Rocket team, Trukhno played in all circumstances this season which can only be considered good for his development. Trukhno is a good puck handler with impressive offensive skills. He is a threat to opponents carrying the puck through the neutral zone with his open-ice hitting. In general Trukhno plays a physical, gritty, style of play, using his speed to go deep on the forecheck and punish opposing defensemen. While playing for Russia at the U-18 championships, Trukhno took on a leadership role and tried to lead by example.

 

Projection: Two-way second line forward, late first-rounder, early second round.

 

Team	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
PEI	64	25	34	59	57	-2

 

 

9. Jean-Philippe Paquet, D – Shawinigan Cataractes

6’2, 207 lbs.

 

There was a time when Paquet was challenging Bourdon for the top defensive prospect spot. However, Paquet had mediocre performances in two of the more important events in the lead-up to the draft – the CHL Prospects game, and the World Under-18 Championships. Paquet is a smooth-skating two-way defenseman with solid offensive instincts, in spite of the fact that it took him nearly 100 career games before he notched his first QMJHL goal. Mobile, and with decent size, Paquet likes to play a bit of a physical game. He logged lots of minutes for an up-and-down Cataractes team, and played in all situations. His two game-winning goals were the most among his team’s defensemen. If scouts look at Paquet’s play throughout the season rather than his performance in the more visible games, then he should be selected fairly early. Though, it could be interpreted from those mediocre performances in big games, and a failure to show up in the playoffs, that he may not yet be a big-game player – something he must address next season.

 

Projection: Versatile second pairing defenseman, second or third round.

 

Team	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Shawinigan	70	5	20	25	96	E
Playoffs	4	1	2	3	2	-1

 

10. Mathieu Aubin, C – Lewiston MAINEiacs

6’2.5, 190 lbs

 

Aubin is an ’86-born player who missed the draft day cut-off by just three days, which is something that will be taken into consideration come draft day. Aubin missed 20 games of the season, including the Top Prospects Game in Vancouver, which obviously hurt his final statistics. He helped to elevate his status in the playoffs by putting up nine points in eight games, a first round sweep over Cape Breton, and then being swept by Rimouski. A player with a good frame, Aubin is isn’t nearly physical enough, although that may be caused by playing on a line with bangers like Alexandre Picard (CLB) and Alex Bourret (2005-eligible).

 

Projection: Second line center, third round.

 

Team	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Lewiston	49	19	26	45	24	+10
Playoffs	8	3	6	9	6	+3

 

 

11. Marc-Andre Gragnani, D – PEI Rocket

6’1, 180 lbs.

 

Playing for a bad PEI team this year, and not heavily hyped before the season, Gragnani may not have been on the map of many fans until the U-18 World Championships, but he’s attracted the attention of scouts all season long. Gragnani logged huge minutes on the PEI blue line and played in all situations, first line power play and penalty kill units. He needs to bulk up a bit, but that should not be an issue with his frame. Gragnani is not a particularly mean or strong defenseman, but he does a number of things very well. He is extremely smart both defensively and with the puck. His passing skills are good, and he knows when to pinch and when to retreat. In the defensive zone he knows when to protect the net and when to pursue the puck in the corners. Gragnani’s heart, however, may be his most appealing asset. He gives it 100 percent every shift and never takes a night off, and is willing to sacrifice his body for the good of the team.

 

Projection: Second pair defenseman; second or third round pick.

 

Team	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
PEI	68	10	29	39	48	-16

 

 

12. Oskars Bartulis, D – Moncton Wildcats

6’1, 180 lbs.

 

Featured in an HF article earlier this year, Bartulis came to Moncton from Latvia as a converted center, having played forward during parts of the previous season with CSKA Moscow in Russia 2. Knowing this, it is not surprising that Bartulis has good puck skills. The Latvian is a good stick handler for a defenseman and has a good slap shot, particularly off a pass as a one-timer. Defensively he has very good instincts, and overall, his hockey sense is very appealing for his age. However, he does have some deficiencies. Bartulis needs to get much stronger to be able to contend with professional forwards more effectively. He participated in one pre-tournament World Championship game for Latvia but did not play in the tournament itself. Another complaint with Bartulis is he does not appear to play with much passion. If he gets stronger, and more aggressive, he will be a very effective pro defenseman.

 

Projection: Second pair defenseman; third round pick.

 

Team	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Moncton	62	5	19	24	55	+7
Playoffs	12	1	1	2	16	-7

 

 

13. Kristopher Letang, D – Val D’Or Foreurs

6'0, 190 lbs

Letang might not get the hype that surrounds Luc Bourdon, but he is certainly an asset Val D’Or wouldn’t like to see go. A member of what they call “The Big Three” in Val D'Or, he possesses speed and offensive abilities that will get him far in his pro career. He likes to shoot from everywhere and usually is able to get in good scoring position. He’s also very good in his own zone and is a force along the boards. Few forwards are able to come and penetrate his side of the ice. In his first season in the QMJHL, Letang didn’t disappoint and made his way to Canada’s U-18 national team. He’s a game breaker who will be coveted by a lot of teams on draft day.

 

Projection: Second pair offensive defenseman; third round pick.

 

Team	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Val D’Or	70	13	19	32	79	-16

 

 

14. Chad Denny, D – Lewiston Maineiacs

6’2, 214 lbs.

 

Denny burst onto the radars of many scouts with a strong early-season performance. A bit of an unknown coming into the season, he flourished under Lewiston’s run-and-gun, physical system, playing his brand of heavy-hitting physicality with solid offensive instincts on a regular basis. Though hampered by injuries that cost him 17 games in the regular season, Denny finished third on the Maineiacs in hits, and posted very respectable offensive numbers. Though he may appear to be thick, Denny is deceptively mobile and is fairly quick on his feet. Denny had a very solid performance in the CHL Prospects game, and was a force during the playoffs, upping his physical tempo even further (though his offensive game seemed to disappear in the Rimouski series after manhandling Shawinigan in the first round).

 

Projection: Second pairing physical defenseman to complement offensive-minded partner; third round.

 

Team	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Lewiston	53	8	18	26	98	+9
Playoffs	8	2	2	4	10	+5

 

 

15. Mathieu Roy, LW – Acadie-Bathurst Titan

6’0, 196 lbs.

 

After teammate Thomas Beauregard went down to a season-ending injury in October, Roy was the go-to guy offensively, posting impressive goal numbers for a team that struggled to find the net on a regular basis. He was a regular contributor on the power play, notching 17 goals with the man advantage (tied for fifth in the league). Roy is a great skater with an excellent skill set, and plays a gritty, antagonistic game, but his two-way play leaves a little bit to be desired and he ended up posting the fifth-worst plus/minus rating in the league. Improved defensive responsibility will come as he and his team mature, and is of relatively minor significance given the offensive aspects Roy brings to the game.

 

Projection: Second line forward; third or fourth round.

 

Team	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Bathurst	70	33	25	58	85	-33

 

16. Gennady Churilov, LW – Quebec Remparts

6'0, 170 lbs.

 

While some teams cannot afford the pleasure of having Europeans in their line-up, Patrick Roy made sure of having the best international prospects with his Remparts. He started his Euro draft by selecting Nashville first rounder Alexander Radulov only to follow 12 picks later with the selection of Churilov. Churilov saw plenty of time on the third line and proved to his teammates the offensive potential destined to explode next year. He will see plenty of time on the top two lines and on the power play unit next year, whether his Russian teammate stays with him or not. However, Churilov has a small stature and isn’t the one who’s going to implicate himself in physical play. Churilov is a project prospect with good potential.

 

Projection: Top six forward; third or fourth round.

 

Team	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Quebec	69	11	26	37	22	+4
Playoffs	13	2	5	7	8	+1

 

 

17. Marc-Edouard Vlasic, D – Quebec Remparts

6'1, 186 lbs

The young defenseman made his way through the top of his team’s defensive chart. He is the kind of defenseman you won’t notice on the ice, making the right plays and being extremely cautious. Rarely will he ever take a bad decision. Vlasic has no way to go but up, as he could be one of the best defensemen in the QMJHL in two years. He has a great shot and can anchor the point on the power play pretty well. Obviously, the Montrealer can be used in every situation. He can play a nice physical game (registered 130 hits with the league), but will need to bulk up in his hopes of playing in the National Hockey League. Whoever selects him will get a nice project that could potentially become a steal if Vlasic matures the right way in the next two years.

Projection: Second-pairing defenseman; third or fourth round pick.

 

Team	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Quebec	70	5	25	30	33	+39
Playoffs	13	2	7	9	2	+2

 

 

18. Pier-Olivier Pelletier, G – Drummondville Voltigeurs

6’2, 172 lbs.

 

Pier-Olivier Pelletier is a late riser in the QMJHL. He had a fairly strong first-round playoff series against the Moncton Wildcats and then performed admirably for Canada at the U-18 World Championships, nearly stealing the starting job from highly touted Carey Price. Pelletier is an unspectacular goaltender. He does not do anything particularly well, has slightly above average reflexes and positioning, and doesn’t appear to be a spectacular athlete. But just as he does nothing great, he does nothing particularly poorly, either. He is a steady goalie who performs well under pressure and maintains his focus. He rarely gives up a bad goal and doesn’t quit on a play. He may be taken surprisingly high as a result of the exposure he received late in the season.

 

Projection: 1A/1B goaltender; second to fifth round pick.

 

Team	GP	W	L	T	GAA	SV%
Drummondville	40	15	17	4	3.01	.894
Playoffs	6	2	4	0