Samuel Blais
Birthday: 1996-06-17 | Position: LW |
Eligible for draft: 2014 | Shoots: Left |
Drafted: 2014 | Height: 5-10 |
Acquired: 6th round (176th overall), 2014 | Weight: 164 lbs. |
Probability of Success
- D
History
2014-15: Blais was the second-leading scorer for the Victoriaville Tigres, trailing only overage center Angelo Miceli, in his first full QMJHL season. He scored 34 goals with 48 assists and was -4 with 50 penalty minutes in 61 regular season games. The Tigres finished sixth in the East Division and were swept by first-place Rimouski in an opening round playoff series. Blais scored 2 goals with three assists and had an even plus/minus with 4 penalty minutes in four playoff games.
2015-16: Blais attended his second training camp with the Blues before returning to Victoriaville. He skated in 30 games with the Tigres and was one of the team’s top scorers when he was traded to Charlottetown in December 2015 for Alexandre Goulet in a swap of 19-year-old forwards. In 63 regular season games between the two teams Blais scored 33 goals with 49 assists and was -4 with 33 penalty minutes. The Islanders finished fourth in the Maritimes Division and reached the second round in the playoffs. Blais scored 4 goals with 15 assists and was +2 with 14 penalty minutes in 12 playoff games. He signed a three-year entry-level contract with St. Louis in November 2015.
Talent Analysis
Samuel Blais is an undersized, gifted offensive player who was drafted by the Blues after playing just half a season of junior hockey. Displaying some very good passing skills. he could actually use more selfishness in his offensive game as he is a pass-first player. His skating could use some improvement while his defensive game needs a lot of work.Future
Blais began the 2015-16 season with Victoriaville before being acquired by the Charlottetown Islanders in a trade in December 2015. Signed to an entry-level contract by St. Louis in November, he was a point-per-game scorer in the QMJHL and will look to have that same type of production at the pro level in 2016-17, though he is eligible to return to Charottetown for an overage season. As with many speedy, offensively-inclined skill forwards, his positional play and defensive game are still developing. Many forwards with similar skill sets peak at the AHL level or secure lucrative deals in Europe.