Player's Profile
- Name: Chad Painchaud
- Position: LW
- Shoots: Left
- Height: 6-0
- Weight: 172 lbs
- Birthdate: 1986-05-27
- Eligible for Draft: 2004
- Drafted:
- Hometown: Mississauga, ON
- Acquired: 4th round, 106th overall, 2004 Entry Draft by Atlanta
- Playing In: Pro
Chad Painchaud
Prospect Grade: 5.5 D (About Prospect Grades)
History
2003-04: An eight-round pick in the 2002 OHL Priority Draft, Painchaud was a fast riser, invited to the 2004 CHL Top Prospects game for the 40 best NHL candidates from the CHL’s three leagues for the 2004 draft crop. In the skills competition he won the 150’ dash and finished fourth in the puck control drill. Central Scouting had the OHL rookie ranked 41st for North American skaters in their mid-term report.
Painchaud continued his strong play throughout the rest of the season and ended up playing in every regular season and playoff game for the IceDogs (92 total), and finished 6th in the OHL for rookie scoring for the regular season, and 5th for the playoffs. He proved himself to be a great two-way winger as well, easily leading the IceDogs in plus/minus. In fact, his +23 rating during the regular season led all OHL rookies.
He dropped only one spot with the CSS for their final rankings to 42nd. He was selected by the Atlanta Thrashers in the fourth round, No. 106 overall in the 2004 Entry Draft.
Read the Hockey’s Future April 2004 interview with Painchaud here.
2006-07: Painchaud put up quite a few points, especially as one of the youngest players in the league. He finished sixth on the team in scoring, with 54 points (22 goals, 32 assists) in 72 games. His point totals hide a season of extreme inconsistency, however. He was benched for parts of games several times for his lack of effort, and narrowly missed being sat out entire games. Painchaud came in third in rookie scoring behind teammate Colton Fretter and Benoit Mondou of Trenton. Painchaud finished the season a -13, which put him in the bottom half of the team. In the playoffs, Painchaud seemed to bring his 'A' game and led the Gladiators in scoring with five assists.
Talent Analysis
Painchaud has fantastic acceleration and straight line skating. That, combined with his good puck control, makes for rushes along the outside, finished with a direct route to the net to shoot or pass off late. He is not shifty or particularly strong though, and has trouble getting around defensemen.
Sometimes he can become invisible in games outside of his own end, watching plays develop and waiting for something to happen instead of initiating offensive opportunities. Needs to work on his effort level and defense.
Effort will get him more ice time, and maybe a call-up to the AHL, but Painchaud's vision probably isn't good enough to be an NHL-level playmaker, and his shot is not good enough to be an NHL-level goal scorer.
Future
Painchaud is in the second year of a three-year contract and is fighting for ice time.
Stats
Stats Coming Soon...
Profile Last Updated: December, 9th 2007
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