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	2.70	.919

 

 

19. Nicolas Blanchard, C – Chicoutimi Sagueneens

6'3, 176 lbs.

 

Nicolas Blanchard enjoyed a successful year with Richard Martel’s Sagueneens. He was used on both the second and third lines and was able to generate points offensively. He scored five goals on the power play, showing why Martel hasn’t been afraid of using this rookie on important occasions. Blanchard possesses the size and the willingness to play dirty. With more pounds on his frame, he could very well dominate his opponent with or without the puck in a near future. Blanchard is not playing to his level in the QMJHL playoffs, only registering four points in 15 games. He will need to develop his consistency next year since every game is important when your season is on the line.

 

Projection: Second line center; third or fourth round.

 

Team	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Chicoutimi	69	13	26	39	31	-4
Playoffs	17	2	2	4	10	-5

 

 

20. Simon Bolduc, LW – Acadie-Bathurst Titan

6’5, 225 lbs.

 

Bolduc’s offensive numbers were not exactly as high as was hoped in his first QMJHL season, given his regular third-line ice, however, his play in general was quite solid. He used his large frame very effectively, throwing hits and generating turnovers along the boards (his 176 registered hits ranked first among QMJHL rookies), while wreaking havoc in front of the net. In spite of his physical game, Bolduc is able to keep his cool, and does not take needless penalties. Bolduc, in spite of his size, is a deceptively solid skater, with a long, flowing stride and a decent first step. Though he did not get the chance to fill the net this season, he does have decent offensive awareness. Still a bit of a project at this point, he does have the basic tools in place to become a solid power forward in the professional game.

 

Projection: Third line power forward, fourth or fifth round.

 

Team	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Bathurst	65	6	15	21	71	-16

 

 

21. Francis Guerette-Charland, RW – Victoriaville Tigres

6’1, 184 lbs.

 

Guerette-Charland was considered a player to watch coming into this season, but unfortunately the 2004-05 season was an injury-plagued campaign for the 6’1 forward. After picking up 39 points in 58 games as a 16-year-old rookie for his home-town team, it was expected that the slick, smooth-skating winger would improve upon those numbers for the rebuilding Tigres. However, things did not start out well for him, as he missed nearly the first two months due to a shoulder injury. It took him a while to regain his offensive touch, though he did play with a bit more physicality. It took until the New Year for him to begin to find the net consistently, as he put together a strong January and early February before going down to injury yet again. He returned in early March, and went pointless in the final few games of the regular season. Once touted to have an outside shot at the first or second round, Guerette-Charland will now likely be taken as a bit of a wild card late in the draft, however his talent, when healthy, makes his selection a risk worth taking.

 

Projection: Slick second-line winger with a nose for the net; third round if last year is remembered or late rounds if not.

 

Team	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Victoriaville	43	14	8	22	17	-10
Playoffs	7	1	2	3	2	+2

 

 

22. Marc-André Côté, C – Acadie-Bathurst Titan

6’1, 190 lbs.

 

Côté’s second season with Bathurst was not as offensively stellar as was hoped after his promising rookie season, though that has much to do with playing among a weak supporting cast. Côté is not the sort of player who will carry the team on his shoulders offensively. More of a playmaker than a goal scorer, he does boast strong on-ice awareness in the offensive zone, and has the ability to play a solid two-way game. For Bathurst, he played in all situations regularly. Mediocre in the faceoff circle, and not very physical, the solid, smooth-skating Côté relies more on his agility to generate offense. If he can bring a physical tinge to his repertoire (he does have respectable size), it will help give him a better-rounded game. Until then, it will be his play with the puck that he gets by on, and that is not necessarily a bad thing with his solid skill set.

 

Projection: Second or third line center; fourth-sixth round.

 

Team	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Bathurst	69	12	26	38	20	-22

 

 

23. Sebastien Bisaillon, D – Val D’Or Foreurs

6'0, 200 lbs

The last member of “The Big Three”, Bisaillon has been in the league for quite some time now as he had the chance to play one game as a 16-year-old. It took his third season to emerge offensively as he scored 48 points to end the regular season sixth in defensemen scoring. Another creative defenseman, he isn’t as well rounded as his teammates, but could definitely develop into a very good player in the near future. He’s also a very good defensively. He has a pretty good size, but will need to get more involved in the game. However, he is also a year older than Letang and Bourdon. Bisaillon will get some attention, playing for a defense that is getting its share of recognition.

Projection: Third pairing defenseman; fifth round or later selection.

 

Team	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Val D’Or	69	15	33	48	39	-12

 

 

24. Andrew Andricopoulos, D – Quebec Remparts

6’0, 183 lbs.

 

An American blueliner, Andricopoulos had underwhelming numbers across the board with only 15 points and 25 penalty minutes on the season. This is obviously a problem for a player who was expected to put up point totals as an offensive defenseman. He struggled to produce on a team that possessed a number of dangerous offensive weapons in players such as Alexander Radulov (NSH) and Josh Hennessy (SJ). Andricopoulos showed his skills much of the year, particularly his skating ability, but struggled with consistency and getting results. But he is not strong defensively, nor physically. His poor season may or may not impact his draft positioning, depending on if teams draft by raw potential or by a proven ability to produce.

 

Projection: No. 4 or 5 defenseman; mid-round pick.

 

Team	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Quebec	60	3	12	15	25	+10
Playoffs	9	1	3	4	2	0

 

 

25. Dean Ouellet, C – Cape Breton Screaming Eagles

5’11, 172 lbs.

 

Ouellet was selected by Cape Breton in the second round based largely on a strong offensive surge late in the season and in pre-draft tournaments. While they did not get overwhelming offensive performance out of Ouellet in his first season in the QMJHL, they did get a hard-working performance game in, game out. The quick, hard-skating, gritty forward did post modest numbers offensively, and has the offensive ability to do much more in subsequent seasons. He played in all situations for the Eagles during the regular season, and upped his play in the first round of the playoffs, making the most offensively of the prime ice time he got in place of injured forward Stephen Dixon (PIT). A decent faceoff man, who does not shy away from the physical game, Ouellet looks to build on a promising first season with his always strong, gritty two-way play.

 

Projection: Second or third line center, fifth to seventh round

 

Team	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Cape Breton	55	7	24	31	37	+7
Playoffs	5	2	2	4	4	-2

 

 

26. Cam Fergus, C – Gatineau Olympiques

6'0, 196 lbs.

 

From Ontario, Cam Fergus couldn’t resist his temptation to play in the Q when he saw how the Olympiques were developing players from Jeremy Roenick to Maxime Talbot (PIT). Fergus was used throughout the season on Gatineau’s third line, centering Nashville prospect Nick Fugère and overager Luke Pelham. He impressed in his new role, taking part in 1052 faceoffs and winning 51 percent of them. He had the chance to play on the power play, scoring four goals while also scoring four game-winning markers. Fergus already has the size and the frame to be a dominant center. He also is a very disciplined player.

 

Projection: Third line grinder; fifth to seventh round pick.

 

Team	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Gatineau	57	15	20	35	30	+3
Playoffs	10	2	5	7	4	+1

 

 

27. Francois Bolduc, D – Rimouski Oceanic

6’5, 229 lbs.

 

The most obvious feature of Bolduc is his enormous size. At 6’5, 229 lbs, Bolduc is among the biggest prospects available in the 2005 draft. He is a defensive defenseman, and obviously it has been difficult to see exactly how effective he is considering the run-and-gun, offensive style of play of the Oceanic. His pure defensive style of play is evident in scoring just nine points on the most offensive team in the Q. Bolduc knows his role and plays within the confines of his abilities. He must improve his speed and his footwork, but he has the size NHL teams want and could be effective within his role. He will likely not see much ice time in the Memorial Cup.

 

Projection: Third pair defenseman; fifth to seventh round pick due to size.

 

Team	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Rimouski	65	1	8	9	70	+1
Playoffs	13	0	0	0	8	-5

 

 

28. Billy Bezeau, D – Prince Edward Island Rocket

6’1, 184 lbs.

Bezeau was pretty much thrown to the fire in his second year in the QMJHL with the Rocket. Along with fellow defensive prospect Marc-Andre Gragnani, Bezeau was one of only two defensemen in the Rocket stable that had seen any substantial QMJHL experience (the year before, Bezeau appeared in 14 games). Bezeau coped very well with his vastly increased playing time. He did not seize the opportunity as well as Gragnani did, but played very competent at both ends of the ice. Bezeau, despite not being overly large, is deceptively strong and over the course of the season was the team’s most physical defenseman. Though they added more veteran presence to the blue line over the course of the season, Bezeau was the second-highest scoring defenseman, and posted a modest plus/minus rating on a team that inevitably missed the playoffs.

 

Projection: Third pairing defenseman with physical edge, sixth to eighth round.

 

Team	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Prince Edward Island	68	4	19	23	81	-9

 

 

29. Eric Begin, D – Shawinigan Cataractes

6'1, 200 lbs

Begin has been a vital part of Shawinigan’s defense with Jean-Philippe Paquet. He followed the same path as Bisaillon, playing in his third season this year. He developed himself as a better offensive defenseman while maintaining his great defensive game. Begin scored eight goals on the power play, seeing a lot of ice time on a very good Cataractes team. He has enough size to make the next step, but will need to work harder on the little things that make a defenseman NHL worthy. Next year will indicate where he fits among his peers with a boatload of QMJHL defensemen improving their play.

Projection: Depth NHL defenseman, reliable AHLer; late sixth round to eighth round pick.

 

Team	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Shawinigan	63	9	21	30	58	+2
Playoffs	4	0	1	1	4	-3

 

 

30. Jérémy Duchesne, G – Halifax Mooseheads

6’1, 198 lbs.

 

This year truly has been a tale of two seasons for Duchesne, who began with the anemic Victoriaville Tigres. He struggled mightily playing behind Josh Tordjman, and it became obvious that he needed a change of scenery. The Halifax Mooseheads took a chance on the netminder, the son of former NHLer Gaetan Duchesne, at the deadline, to provide insurance for San Jose Sharks prospect Jason Churchill, should he falter. Falter Churchill did, and Duchesne seized his opportunity. Duchesne tore off a remarkable streak of nearly 15 decisions without suffering a loss, and did not lose until the second round of the playoffs. Duchesne plays a very sound positional game, is solid but not flashy, but does tend to give up juicy rebounds. He has been lucky in Halifax to have a strong defense around to clear these rebounds, and perhaps that was his problem in Victoriaville. He will have to work on corralling these rebounds in the future, because his defense will not always be as strong.

 

Projection: Back-up goaltender, minor-league starter; sixth to eighth round.

 

Team	GP	W	L	T	GAA	SV%
Victoriaville (departed)	15	2	9	0	3.46	0.893
Halifax	18	12	0	2	1.50	0.942
Playoffs	12	8	4	0	2.79	0.907

 

 

31. Ryan Mior, G – PEI Rocket

6’1, 180 lbs.

 

Unlike Pelletier, Mior’s stock has fallen in the eyes of many scouts down the stretch this season. After inheriting the starting job in PEI following the trade of Jonathan Boutin, Mior initially played well. However, as the season wound down, Mior became increasingly prone to give up a weak goal or make a poor decision that resulted in a goal. Mior is a good athlete with a very quick glove. He is not afraid to leave his crease and is a competent puck handler. He needs to work on his lateral movement and his rebound control. Although he often appears to be attempting to direct the puck to a corner, rebounds often bounce straight back from the angle they came. Mior does have desirable intangibles, as he is a mature and humble prospect.

 

Projection: Back-up goalie; seventh to ninth round pick.

 

Team	GP	W	L	T	GAA	SV%
PEI	41	9	19	5	3.71	.885

 

 

 

32. Jordan Clendenning, RW – Acadie-Bathurst Titans

6’0, 188 lbs.

 

Clendenning did not show a tremendous amount of improvement between his first and second seasons in the league, scoring only eight more points in his sophomore season. Clendenning participated in Canada’s 2004 summer U-18 development camp, but was then not chosen for the U-18 championship team. His -13 rating on the season was relatively average on a horrendous Titans team this season. Clendenning plays a gritty, physical game, and has grown over the past year, so he shouldn’t have difficulties filling into a pro frame. He will never be a star at any level, but Clendenning has the tools and spirit to fill a necessary depth role in the NHL.

 

Projection: Fourth line winger; sixth to eighth round draft pick.

 

Team	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Acadie-Bathurst	70	11	16	27	94	-13

 

33. Dave Bouchard, LW – Drummondville Voltigeurs

6’0, 196 lbs

 

Bouchard has less impressive stats than players ranked below him, but plays a very convincing and aggressive game that may be more appealing to NHL teams. However, with that said, his exuberance and excitement can result in him taking foolish and unnecessary penalties at times. Bouchard has decent size for an 18-year-old and good open-ice speed. He is strong on his skates while carrying the puck and knows how to cycle. He aggressively pursues the puck on the forecheck, always finishes his checks, and is a hard hitter. In general, Bouchard’s offensive skills are nothing special, but his aggressive style of play makes him a valuable component to any successful team, particularly if he can minimize the unnecessary penalties. He did not have a productive playoffs.

 

Projection: Third or fourth line winger; seventh to ninth-round draft pick.

 

Team	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Drummondville	66	7	9	16	175	-17
Playoffs	6	0	0	0	10	-3

 

 

34. Tyler Hawes, LW – PEI Rocket

6’3, 210 lbs.

 

Hawes did not make much of a progression in his second season from his first. He still brings decent offensive awareness and loves to throw around his ample frame. His skating still needs some work as does his two-way play, which was not very good this season, posting the second-worst plus/minus rating in the league. In spite of his large size, he still looks a little slight, and could stand to put on a few more pounds of muscle, though with his skating not being particularly strong, it is unclear what that would do to his game. Hawes started the season fairly solidly, though like his team, his play deteriorated towards the end of the season. He does have a decent shot, and can play in all situations, and couple with his strong, disciplined physical play, there is plenty to work with in his game.

 

Projection: Fourth line banger who can chip in, late rounds.

 

Team	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Prince Edward Island	65	11	5	16	39	-37

 

 

35. David Desharnais, C – Chicoutimi Sagueneens

5’7, 177 lbs.

 

Desharnais boasts almost everything that scouts look for. He has excellent offensive instincts with a quick release, though he is an even better playmaker than sniper, and loves to dish the puck around. He has great acceleration and agility. He is one of the most dominant faceoff men in the entire QMJHL in only his second year (he took by far the most draws in the league, and posted a 59.4 percent success rate). He plays with loads of heart and grit, likes to hit, and gets under the skin of the opposition. He plays in all situations and is able to elevate his play in the big games. There is only one problem: Desharnais is only 5’7. In today’s NHL, regardless of his skill, will, and grit, that may be too small for him to be given much of a chance. Though of course, the times may be changing.

 

Projection: Top-six center, be it pro, minor pro or Europe; late rounds.

 

Team	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Chicoutimi	68	32	65	97	39	+5
Playoffs	17	5	10	15	8	-3

 

 

36. Jonathan Duchesneau, C – Baie-Comeau Drakkar

5’8, 162 lbs.

 

Duchesneau saw his offensive numbers regress from his excellent rookie season with the Baie-Comeau Drakkar. His numbers fell seven goals from last season. Still, Duchesneau had a solid offensive season for a team that struggled to find the net at times. He plays a good two-way game often drawing tough checking assignments, with solid skating an on-ice vision. He played in all situations for the Drakkar this past season, and also chipped in a few clutch game-winning goals. While he was only average in the faceoff circle, he picked up his performance in the circle down the stretch, and was counted on for key draws. Not overly physical on a team that loves to hit, Duchesneau tends to keep his nose clean, but doesn’t mind the occasional body contact.

 

Projection: Fourth line center; late rounds.

 

Team	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Baie-Comeau	63	13	23	36	23	-20
Playoffs	6	2	3	5	11	-1

 

 

37. Michael Korenko, D – Lewiston MAINEiacs

6'2, 180 lbs

Korenko was selected by Lewiston in the 2004 European import draft with the 65^th pick. He came up in the Q with compatriot Jaroslav Halak (MTL) to develop his play and boost his stock in the NHL Entry Draft. However, Korenko didn’t have the chance to play much with a talented MAINEiacs defensive chart in front of him. He will see his responsibilities go up next year with NYR prospect Jonathan Paiement possibly signing a pro contract and open up a roster spot for Korenko. He is reliable in every aspect of the game, but will still need more time to polish his play. Korenko will certainly learn a lot in his second year with former Canadiens Assistant Coach Clement Jodoin. He could easily become a steal since we haven’t seen everything he can offer. A year is certainly not a lot to judge a prospect who was the extra defenseman on his team.

Projection: Third pairing defenseman; seventh to ninth round pick.

 

Team	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Lewiston	53	2	6	8	26	+7
Playoffs	DNP	0	0	0	0	0

*Note: Lewiston played eight playoff games but Korenko did not dress for a single game.

 

38. Francis Charette, C – Rimouski Oceanic

5'6, 150 lbs.

 

Charette has been a dominant force with Rimouski, but while never being used with Crosby or Pouliot, he’s put his share of offensive abilities on the ice. He is one of the fastest skaters in the league and owns incredible defensive sense, a threat every time he has the puck on the penalty kill. He is a hard-working player. Do not think he got his points because of his teammates; Charette was definitely able to earn them all by his own play. He will definitely get more ice time next year, resulting in greater responsibilities and a higher production. As good as he is, he’s only 5’6. In today’s NHL standards, that’s probably not enough. However, he could be like Simon Gamache and prove his due in every step he will make throughout his career.

 

Projection: Scoring line forward; late rounds if drafted at all.

 

Team	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Rimouski	65	26	29	57	49	+9
Playoffs	13	4	6	10	14	+7

 

 

39. Alexandre Picard-Hooper, LW – Baie Comeau Drakkar

5’10, 170 lbs

 

Despite finishing second on his team in scoring and playing on the first line for the Drakkar, there are doubts that Picard-Hooper will even be selected, but he gets a spot based on his skill set alone. With already one knock against him based on his small stature, Picard-Hooper is considered to be a terrible skater by scouts. He’s taken considerable strides since last season in his offensive play, especially his stick-handling abilities, but must dramatically improve his skating to be a viable NHL prospect. Although he possesses some nice moves with the puck, Picard-Hooper has a lot of hurdles to overcome in the future, but it is possible a team may take him in the latter stages of the draft in hopes that he will get bigger and improve his skating.

 

Projection: Moderately successful AHL player, very late round draft pick if selected at all.

 

Team	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Baie-Comeau	70	25	37	62	41	-10
Playoffs	6	3	3	6	6	+4

 

 

40. Erick Tremblay, D – Rimouski Oceanic

6'3, 205 lbs

 

Tremblay is your common big and tough defenseman. He will never become a good offensive player, but chances are that he might be a potential gem defensively. He was overshadowed by a lot of stars in Rimouski but at the end of the line, Tremblay knows his role on his team. His size will interest a lot of scouts. He was able to cut down his 138 PIMs from 2003-2004 to only 87 this season, showing his will of being a more disciplined player. He is a decent defensive defenseman who likes checking his opponents and playing an “in your face” type of game. He could end up with a team looking in at a defensive project to develop.

Projection: Potential tough guy; late rounds, project depth defenseman.

 

Team	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Rimouski	62	3	1	4	87	+14
Playoffs	9	0	0	0	14	-2

 

 

 

2004 draft year players who may be selected in 2005

 

1. Jordan LaVallee, F – Quebec Remparts

6’3, 210 lbs.

 

The large American power forward was a surprise snub at the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, after putting together a very solid first season in the QMJHL, with 11 goals and 16 assists, while leading his team in hits by a wide margin. LaVallee’s 2004-05 campaign has left little doubt that he is worthy of a draft selection this year, as he led his Quebec Remparts with a very impressive 40 goals, and once again leading his team in hits. LaVallee plays a very physical game, but more often than not, he keeps it clean. He is a strong skater with good acceleration and agility, which makes him a force on the forecheck. He is also a very versatile player, not only a dominant force in the slot on the power play, but also serving as an aggressive penalty-killer. If that isn’t enough, LaVallee also has a penchant for scoring clutch goals, leading his team with eight game-winners. An excellent all-around player, who blends size, speed, skill, and physical play nearly seamlessly, there is little reason to question whether or not LaVallee will be drafted this year.

 

Projection: Second-line banging power forward who loves traffic and generating chances for himself; fourth to sixth round.

 

Team	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Quebec	64	40	26	66	108	+28
Playoffs	13	5	2	7	26	-7

 

 

2. Maxime Joyal, G – Quebec Remparts

6’0, 183 lbs.

 

The overlooking of Maxime Joyal in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft can be understood, as he was not playing in the QMJHL as a 17-year-old. Joyal, however, burst onto the scene this season with the Quebec Remparts, quickly stealing the No. 1 job from over-ager Jean-Michel Filiatrault early in the season, and playing a very competent, solid but not flashy game between the pipes. Despite playing in a division where the majority of the teams think offense-first, Joyal still posted very solid numbers, playing in 55 games, and he helped carry his team into the playoffs with a fifth-place finish. The major concern, however, was that Joyal’s inexperience come playoff time would be a potential problem, so his hard work was all for naught, as his starting job passed to deadline-day acquired netminder Jonathan Boutin (TB). Joyal saw spot duty in the playoffs, but much of the work went to Boutin.

 

Projection: Consistent back-up for a strong team, or starting goaltender in minors or on younger teams; fifth to seventh round.

 

Team	GP	W	L	T	GAA	SV%
Quebec	55	29	17	4	2.63	0.920
Playoffs	5	1	2	0	3.12	0.885

 

3. Stanislav Lascek, RW – Chicoutimi Sagueneens
6’0, 191 lbs.

After leaving his Slovak team of Zvolen HKm, Lascek played his second season in Chicoutimi and went on to lead his team in assists. In other words, Lascek was given every chance of creating his plays and setting up his teammates on scoring chances. He had 90 points, good for third with the Sagueneens, behind Maxime Boisclair and undersized David Desharnais. Much like Boisclar, he has been an inspiration for his team and a great reason of Marek Zagrapan's development in the Quebec League. Stanislav likes to play in the traffic and his best known for his control of the puck. He also is a terrific playoff performer and has grown a lot under the tutelage of Richard Martel.

Projection: Top six forward; fifth to eighth round pick.

Team	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Chicoutimi	53	18	72	90	42	0
Playoffs	17	4	18	22	26	-5

 

4. Maxime Boisclair, LW – Chicoutimi Sagueneens
6’1, 194 lbs.

Nineteen-year-old Boisclair emerged as the go-to guy in Chicoutimi. He went from an inconsistent player to one of the most dynamic scorers on the ice. He was already known for his grinding, enjoying rough plays every time he steps in front of an adversary. He scored 51 goals in 70 games, becoming one of the best Haitian to play in the QMJHL. Boisclair ended the season fourth in scoring. He took a lot of responsibilities throughout the year and become a fierce leader in and out of the locker room. Boisclair will need to add some pounds if he wants to be competitive in professional hockey. He's also a decent fighter and won't back down to anyone. He possesses the size and the instinct of a nice potential grinder.

Projection: High-energy player; seventh to ninth round pick if drafted at all.

Team	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Chicoutimi	70	51	57	108	84	+9
Playoffs	17	5	12	17	31	0

 

 

Eric Forest, Phil Laugher, and Matt MacInnis contributed to this article. Copyright 2005 Hockey’s Future. Do not duplicate without permission of the editorial staff.