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 January.
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Domenico Borsellino – Forward – Lac St-Louis Lions
Domenico has undeniable offensive skills. An agile skater, he carries the puck well into the offensive zone. His changes of direction combined with his quick starts allow him to exploit open spaces. His vision helps him create opportunities for his teammates and himself. His coaches praise his attitude and his thirst for studying the game.
Despite a difficult season for his team, Domenico has been a consistent producer, averaging nearly a point per game. After taking a break due to a health issue, he made his return in January, much to the delight of his team and Lions fans.
- Benoît Payment, CSR Scout
Xavier Boulay – Forward – Northern Moose
Speed is the name of the game for Boulay. His skating abilities allow him to create numerous scoring chances and odd man rushes. Not many players can match his top speed, and this creates problems for the opposition. Boulay also has an accurate and strong shot that makes him a dangerous player from anywhere in the attacking zone.
Without the puck, he quickly pressures opposing defensemen on the forecheck and leaves them little time to make decisions. The winger plays a very physical game and always finishes his hits. He’s not scared to go in the dirty areas of the ice and battle hard for loose pucks. Boulay also crashes the net often to collect rebounds and creates havoc while he’s in front.
- David Landry, New Brunswick CSR Scout
Jackson Conroy – Forward – Bishop Kearney Selects 15U
A native of Montreal West, Jackson has been playing in the USA for two seasons after dominating in the RSEQ at a very young age. A left winger who occasionally plays center, he has an above-average game sense. He is well-built, although he does not necessarily favor physical play. Constantly on the move, he demonstrates good work habits and plays responsibly. He excels along the boards and in puck protection.
He is regularly used by his coach on the penalty kill and on the point during power plays. Like most young players his age, Jackson needs to continue to develop his physical strength in order to gain more explosiveness and power on his skates.
- Pierre Cholette, CSR Director
Riley Cormier – Forward – Kensington Wild
Riley is a two-way forward with good speed. He has a quick release, is a good passer, and has shown the ability to contribute offensively, with the majority of his points coming at even strength. Riley can play a physical game and does not hesitate to go to the net.
While Cormier’s main areas to improve are his upper-body strength and defensive play, he has good size and overall skill already. If he is determined to develop into a complete two-way player and has a strong second half to his season, he will be considered a strong prospect at the Draft.
- Corrado Micalef, Prince Edward Island CSR Scout
Alexandre Deschamps – Defenseman – Laval-Montréal Rousseau Royal
A 6’01” and 187lb defenseman, Deschamps is undoubtedly one of the top players at his position in this draft class. Known for his physical strength, he plays with poise and consistency, which allows him to remain composed when under pressure. In order to make a solid first pass out of his zone, he keeps his game simple, which makes him a reliable asset for his team.
In addition to his physical skills, he demonstrates a constantly improving game sense. Deschamps is often seen taking in information around him to locate threats and improve his decision-making with and without the puck. His above-average physical maturity will definitely be an asset that he can use to his advantage as he continues to develop.
- Jérémie Bergeron, CSR Scout
Justin Hamel – Defenseman – St-Hyacinthe Gaulois
Justin is a mobile left-handed defenseman with good skills. His smooth skating allows him to quickly cover large areas, close down passing lanes, and jumpstart the attack as soon as he recovers the puck. Thanks to his game sense, he anticipates his opponents’ movements and positions himself intelligently to intercept or counter their attacks. His vision and quick reading of situations make him a reliable player, both in the defensive zone and in transition.
The strength of such a player also lies in his first pass, which is as accurate as it is quick. As soon as Hamel gains possession of the puck, he knows how to feed his teammates in motion, which allows them to counter the opposing pressure and launch an effective attack.
- Jean-Pierre Belzil, CSR Scout
Logan Leclair – Forward – Trois-Rivières Estacades
Logan Leclair is a young forward who stands out for his impressive size, excellent game sense, and his ability to contribute offensively at key moments. He has many great qualities, including his strong skating stride and technical skills.
He is very effective along the boards at recovering loose pucks and is able to create space for himself in order to feed his teammates. Leclair can play at both ends of the ice as he has a good understanding of his defensive responsibilities.
- Daniel Noonan, CSR Scout
Aaron Meaden – Goaltender – Valley Wildcats
Aaron is a goalie who has shown strong foundations in his game. He has good positioning and is often square to the shooter. He also is good at taking away space by challenging shots.
Aaron stays in control when moving around his crease but could have more speed when doing it. He will compete for rebounds and is rarely seen giving up on pucks. Aaron is one of the very good prospects coming out of the Atlantic provinces for the upcoming QMJHL Draft.
- Maxime Ouellet, CSR Goaltending Specialist
Enzo Roy – Defenseman – Lévis Chevaliers
Enzo Roy is a highly mobile defenseman who stands out for his intelligence and game sense. He makes precise crisp first passes out of his own zone and distributes the puck well in the others. He is especially effective when playing on the power play.
After a difficult start to the season stats-wise, Enzo stood out at the CCM Challenge in Châteauguay, with an impressive seven points in six games. He has been excelling ever since.
- Frédéric Lévesque, Recruteur CSR
Ewan Sim – Forward – Weeks Major Midgets
Sim is a highly skilled forward with high hockey IQ and strong puck skills. He protects the puck well, shows good offensive vision, and consistently creates scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. Sim has been highly productive, posting 14 goals and 35 assists for 49 points in 31 games, currently leading the NSU18MHL in scoring as a rookie. He also brings an agitator element to his game, competing hard and engaging with opponents.
Sim’s areas for improvement include both his skating and overall strength. Slightly undersized, he would benefit from added muscle and improved explosiveness to better handle physical play at higher levels. With continued development, he projects as an effective play-driving offensive player.
- Taylor P. Burke, Nova Scotia CSR Scout
Cole Toms – Forward – Bishop’s College School U17
Cole is a tall, strong, left-handed forward who uses his size effectively in all three zones. He does a great job of protecting the puck and playing with poise in the offensive zone, allowing him to showcase his skill and a strong shot. When he blends physicality with his offensive game he becomes a more versatile player, capable of impacting the game both as a scoring threat and through his overall presence on the ice.
Cole already plays a heavy, physical game but will need to continue improving his speed and lengthening his skating stride. He possesses many of the tools to become a forward with offensive upside who is difficult to play against at the major junior level.
- Marcus Power, Newfoundland and Labrador CSR Scout
