During each month of the regular season, QMJHL scouts provide us with reports on some of the top prospects for the upcoming QMJHL Entry Draft presented by Fenplast.
Here is their analysis of the prospects for the month of April.
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Jakob Royer – Forward – Trois-Rivières Estacades
Jakob Royer can be described as a power forward. He is physically strong, effective on the forecheck, and can change the momentum of a game with a hard hit. He has a good shot while he’s on movement, and his one-timer is incredible on the power play.
He is good at protecting the puck and can set up his teammates with ease. He is also responsible in both ends of the ice. He will need to work on his consistency to continue his development.
- Daniel Noonan, CSR Scout
Julien Bergeron – Forward – Châteauguay Grenadiers
Since he first started playing hockey, Julien has consistently ranked among the top scorers in every league he’s played in. This year is no exception. He exudes confidence, isn’t afraid to go into the trafic, and he’s regularly rewarded for his efforts.
His forechecking abilities allows him to create a lot of momentum and generate scoring opportunities. In the second half of the season, he’ll look to refine his game in all aspects of the game. We should hear his name called pretty early in the upcoming draft.
- Benoît Payment, CSR Scout
Malik Tremblay – Forward – Magog Cantonniers
Malik is a fast and explosive left-handed forward. He stands out for his creative playing style and his ability to read the game well. Thanks to his excellent vision, he spots his teammates in open spaces and delivers accurate passes to them. This allows him to turn every moment in the offensive zone into scoring opportunities. His speed allows him to outpace defenders, while his fluid puck handling gives him the edge in one-on-one situations.
Although he isn’t the most physically imposing player, he’s always ready to battle for the puck and doesn’t hesitate to go into dangerous areas to create offensive opportunities. Often used on the power play, he excels at creating opportunities on offense, alternating between accurate shots and unpredictable passes. His hockey sense, combined with his energy and determination, makes him a key component of any team aiming to dominate offensively.
- Jean-Pierre Belzil, CSR Scout
Jacob McKinnon – Forward – Séminaire Saint-François Blizzard
McKinnon is a forward with a profile that is very appealing to scouts. An explosive skater with excellent skills, he also stands out for his intensity on every shift. He also likes to create scoring opportunities thanks to his speed and vision. McKinnon particularly stands out for the speed with which he can execute plays, as well as his remarkable technical skills. He can anticipate his opponents’ moves, which allows him to be a constant threat in the opposing zone.
His consistent performance makes him a key player for the Blizzard. If McKinnon continues to develop, he could quickly attract the attention of QMJHL teams in Halifax.
- Frédéric Lévesque, CSR Scout
Pierre-Alexandre Lemieux – Forward – Collège Esther-Blondin Phénix
Pierre-Alexandre possesses several qualities that make him a top prospect in his draft class. Already physically strong for a player of his age, he has the potential to become a well-rounded offensive player.
With good hands and great hockey sense, his natural talent is obivous. His offensive production speaks for itself, as he has been a reliable option on the power play for his team. In addition to his physical attributes, Pierre-Alexandre isn’t afraid to drive to the net and position himself in front of the goalie. This level of grit will certainly appeal to the team that selects him.
As he continues to improve his skating, as he has done this season, there is no doubt he can become a player to watch in the years to come.
- Jérémie Bergeron, CSR Scout
Zachary Lainesse – Goaltender – Lévis Chevaliers
Zachary is a really fast goalie with a high compete level in his game. He is focus-alert in his net, following the plays really well. He looks hungry to make saves and be a difference maker. He has reactive hands as they work really well in front of his body.
Being a smaller frame goal, he can get overpower by players at times. He has a harder time to fight behind the screens to see shots. But he never gives up on a play, working hard to make every saves.
- Maxime Ouellet, CSR Goaltending Specialist
Max Brien – Forward – Subaru Steele U18
Max is a big, strong, and powerful skater who brings a wide range of tools to the ice. Standing 6’1” and weighing 185 pounds, he consistently uses his size to his advantage through physical play, strong puck protection, and a willingness to drive the net. He plays with a high level of intensity and a strong work ethic, making him difficult to contain. In addition to his size and strength, Max possesses good skill and a hard, accurate shot, adding to his offensive effectiveness.
He is a complete, reliable 200-foot player who can be a difference-maker every shift. Strong defensively and effective in all zones, Max impacts the game in multiple ways. He is regarded as the top prospect for the upcoming draft out of Nova Scotia and projects as a player who can contribute in all situations.
- Taylor Burke, CSR Scout Nova Scotia
Nathan LeBlanc – Forward – Moncton Flyers U18 AAA
The left winger plays like a versatile power forward that has good scoring touch. He’s a player that will compliment anyone he plays with. His strong skating allows him to be the puck carrier on a line to create open ice for his linemates. He possesses a strong and accurate shot that can fool any goalie and make him the goal scorer on an offensive line. He seems to find open ice with ease and is quick to release his shot when he has the chance.
His relentless work ethic also makes him difficult to deal with when he doesn’t have the puck. He’s often the first forechecker on his line and battles hard to retrieve loose pucks. Despite being deep in the offensive zone often, he seems to be the first player back in his own zone. He pressures opposing players well and makes them rush their decision making. Overall, LeBlanc is a well-rounded player that can take on many roles.
- David Landry, CSR Scout New Brunswick
Nathan LeBlanc – Forward – Moncton Flyers U18 AAA
The left winger plays like a versatile power forward that has good scoring touch. He’s a player that will compliment anyone he plays with. His strong skating allows him to be the puck carrier on a line to create open ice for his linemates. He possesses a strong and accurate shot that can fool any goalie and make him the goal scorer on an offensive line. He seems to find open ice with ease and is quick to release his shot when he has the chance.
His relentless work ethic also makes him difficult to deal with when he doesn’t have the puck. He’s often the first forechecker on his line and battles hard to retrieve loose pucks. Despite being deep in the offensive zone often, he seems to be the first player back in his own zone. He pressures opposing players well and makes them rush their decision making. Overall, LeBlanc is a well-rounded player that can take on many roles.
- David Landry, CSR Scout New Brunswick
Damian Norris – Forward – Upper Canada College
Damian is a dynamic left-handed forward who possesses a high level of hockey sense and an explosive, powerful skating ability. He reads the play at a high level, allowing him to be smart defensively while also being a threat as both a playmaker and a goal scorer.
He has no issue playing physical and competes at a high level, which adds to his overall skill set. He has great vision with the puck, and he also possesses a quick release, making him a scoring threat when in the offensive zone.
With his powerful skating ability and well-rounded game, combined with a high level of hockey sense, Damian is a player who will be closely watched heading into the upcoming draft.
- Marcus Power, CSR Scout Newfoundland And Labrador
Samuel Nowlan – Forward – Detroit Little Caesar’s 15U AAA
Samuel is a left-handed center with above-average offensive qualities. A native of Moncton, New Brunswick, he has excellent vision and shows good poise when ihe has the puck. He’s good at finding his teammates on the ice.
After dominating last season at the U15 AAA level, he continues to rack up points on a regular basis. His skating and explosiveness are the areas he needs to work on in the short term if he hopes to excel at the next level.
- Pierre Cholette, CSR Director
Zaac Charbonneau – Attaquant – Mount St. Charles Academy
Zaac is the perfect prototype of a power forward, combining size, strength and talent. Having played in the United States for the past two seasons, Zaac possesses a major-league-caliber shot that he doesn’t hesitate to unleash. Playing on the wing – he is also comfortable at center – he possesses a very smooth and powerful stride despite his imposing frame for a player his age.
He has all the tools to become a key player for his team quickly. He has character, but he’ll need to work on managing his emotions. There’s often a line between a certain level of physicality and a lack of discipline in his play.
Zaac is undoubtedly one of the top prospects, across all positions, heading into the upcoming QMJHL draft.
- Pierre Cholette, CSR Director
