During each month of the regular season, QMJHL scouts provide us with reports on some of the top prospects for this year’s QMJHL Entry Draft presented by Fenplast.
Here is their analysis of the prospects for the month of October.
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Axel Bolduc – Defenseman – Lévis Chevaliers
Axel is a right-handed defenseman who moves the puck with ease and makes accurate, quick passes. He also shows initiative in offensive situations, while demonstrating a solid understanding of the game that allows him to adapt his decisions to the circumstances.
Versatile, he plays both on the power play and the penalty kill, therefore offering his coaches multiple tactical options.
- Frédéric Lévesque, CSR Scout
Daniele Di Marzo – Forward – Laval-Montréal Rousseau Royal
Di Marzo is a promising forward who has many heads turning this year. Following a season of 55 points in 30 games at the U15 AAA Elite level last year, he’s already showing an interesting offensive flair. As he settles in, he will become a player to watch on a Rousseau Royal team which currently sits atop its division.
Di Marzo must continue to develop, however, particularly in terms of his skating stride, in order to optimize his explosiveness and increase his involvement in the play. His speed and sense of the game continue to improve, and optimizing these elements could lead to increased offensive production that will allow him to meet expectations.
- Jérémie Bergeron, CSR Scout
Liam Duffy – Defenseman – Steele Subaru
Liam is a big-bodied defenseman who moves well for his size. He doesn’t hesitate to join the rush or get involved in the play offensively. He plays smart and has a good feel on when to take chances in the offensive zone. Defensively, he has a good stick and can use his body to his advantage. He makes a good first pass and is always looking to try and make quick plays to keep the play moving forward.
After just nine games, he leads the NSU18MHL in assists with 15, an impressive feat for both a rookie and a defenseman. All in all, he has a great skillset that many teams look for at the next level.
- Taylor P. Burke, Nova Scotia CSR Scout
Sean Dwyer – Forward – Stanstead Spartans U17 Prep
Sean is an effective two-way centerman with good overall skills and a very good hockey sense. Offensively, he has good vision and makes smart plays. Defensively, he can read situations to eliminate the scoring threat and is effective when supporting his defensemen down low in the defensive zone.
Sean is physically strong for his size and has no issues battling for the puck with bigger players. He gives everything he has on every shift, which makes him a reliable player in all situations.
- Corrado Micalef, Prince Edward Island CSR Scout
Aidan Graham – Forward – Pinnacle Growlers
Aidan is a smooth-skating, versatile left-handed forward with strong offensive instincts. Aidan has no issue taking pucks to the net and playing through contact. His effortless skating stride allows him to challenge defenders in transition, and he pairs that with a quick release and good poise with the puck.
As Aidan continues to develop into a well-rounded and responsible player in all zones, he has the potential to grow into a major junior player that can play anywhere in your lineup.
- Marcus Power, Newfoundland and Labrador CSR Scout
Zachary Lavoie – Defenseman – Trois-Rivières Estacades
Zachary is a left-handed defenseman who has not yet reached his physical maturity. However, he is able to neutralize opponents by using his mobility and an active stick to cut off passing lanes. He is very effective in breaking out of his zone with accurate first passes and to shut down his opponents’ forecheck.
Very skilled with the puck, he can be used as a quarterback on the power play. His shot is not yet very powerful, but he manages to hit the target regularly. Overall, Lavoie is a very promising defenseman who combines agility and intelligence on the ice.
- Daniel Noonan, CSR Scout
Nathan Roy – Defenseman – Collège Charles-Lemoyne Riverains
Nathan is a left-handed defenseman who stands out thanks to his great mobility and effectiveness, both defensively and offensively. He is fast enough to carry the puck and jump start the attack, but he is equally capable of positioning himself well without the puck to counter his opponents.
Known as a poised defenseman, he makes good decisions when in possession of the puck. This allows him to launch effective counter attacks and generate scoring opportunities for his team.
- Jean-Pierre Belzil, CSR Scout
Edouard Salvas – Goaltender – St-Hyacinthe Gaulois
Edouard is a really athletic netminder with incredible speed in his movements. Because he relies a lot on his instincts to make saves, he has a tendency to over move at times, which does not translate in optimal positioning in his crease.
Salvas does have the ability to make really hard saves, which makes him both flashy in his net and an inspiration to his teammates! His puck tracking and hand reactions still need improvement, but he already has a high compete level and he never gives up on a play.
- Maxime Ouellet, CSR Goaltending Specialist
Josh Stewart – Forward – Northern Moose
Stewart is a left shot forward whose high hockey IQ is his biggest strength. He uses his skills to be an efficient player in every zone and seems to always find open ice in the offensive zone to create dangerous scoring chances. When pressured, he can dish out impressive passes to his open teammates all over the ice. He takes his time with the puck and is confident in his stickhandling abilities to get around opponents.
The forward can also be trusted on the defensive side of the puck. Even if he’s not the biggest player, he makes up for it with sound positioning and simple plays that make him an efficient defender. He doesn’t lose his assignments in his own zone and gets the puck out to kickstart the offense.
- David Landry, New Brunswick CSR Scout
Félix Théorêt – Forward – Châteauguay Grenadiers
After a very productive season at the U15 Elite level, where he scored 32 goals and picked up 50 points in 30 games, Félix started his U18 season with confidence. Although he is not the biggest player, he faces adversity with a very high compete level. His offensive flair serves him well, and he is currently riding his momentum with nearly one point per game.
He works diligently and has refined his defensive game to become a reliable player in many situations. His natural scoring abilities make him a player to keep an eye on this season.
- Benoît Payment, CSR Scout
