| Antonin Verreault | Gatineau Olympiques | QMJHL | L | LW | 5’8″ | 167 | Gatineau Olympiques | 2020 | Mirabel, QC | 2004 | 2022-2023: Free Agent 2021-2022: C+ |
Why a smart Free Agent signing: Verreault is a smart and highly competitive left shot forward with skill. So far throughout his QMJHL career he has not put up the points that some expected, but we feel as he physically matures and gains strength he is a winger to watch. His keeps his feet moving through contact and has done an excellent job of drawing penalties over the past two seasons. He has quick release and his shots hit the net 63% of the time.
Why not a smart Free Agent signing: He is an undersized winger who has been on the receiving end of 103.5 hard body checks per game over his past two seasons in the QMJHL while averaging an almost unbelievable 0.04 checks per game. He won 41% of his 50/50 puck battles last year and although he has increased that number it still sits at 46%.
Neutral Zone NHL, July 4, 2022: Why an NHL draft pick: He had 46 points in 56 games. He plays a highly competitive style that leads to him drawing penalties. He is confident as a puck carrier in traffic. During 2021/22 he attempted 227 total shots with 142 of them coming from inside of the house. He had seven points in seven playoff games and has historically always performed well in the playoffs. Why not an NHL draft pick: He won 41% of his puck battles. 56 of his attempted shots came while on the power play with 22 of those being blocked or missing the net.
QMJHL: Gatineau Olympics Draft Prospects, December 18, 2021: Verreault is not only a skilled goal scoring winger, he is a highly competitive player who hates to lose any sort of battles for loose pucks. The undersized forward plays with pace through the neutral zone while doing an excellent job to change speeds manipulating the opposing defender’s gap control. When the defenders back off the line Verreault has the edge control to cut hard to the vacated open in ice in the middle looking for scoring options. If the defender is playing a tight gap, he has the power and continues to generate speed through a hard cross-under to drive wide and beat his opponent to the far post. When firing the puck with his feet moving Verreault has a deceptive release point and shows the puck skills to delay his shot until the goalie makes the first move. He is not a penalty killer for Gatineau this year, but he is a regular and key contributor to the power play and we feel this is where he will be used as a professional too where his puck poise and anticipation will be effective.
Ville de Saguenay: CCM Midget AAA Challenge: 2004’s, February 10, 2020: Verreault was one of 5 Quebec players to be named to Canada’s hockey team competing at the youth games. His combination of skill and speed are unmatched as far as forwards in his age group. Very impressive smaller forward with a soft puck touch and some bob and weave that gives the opposition fits. Great sense of timing when driving wide with pucks on opponents, showing IQ by instinctively knowing when to net drive, or when to zip a pass to a driving line mate. Offensive dynamo, patient with puck, spins off pressure. Elusive player who can score off the rush or a quick shot. Exciting to watch and is able to make something out of nothing. Verreault was chosen to be on Canada 2020 youth Olympic Winter games. Grade A
Canada Youth Olympic Team (U-15) VS Lac St-Louis Lions, January 16, 2020: Sneaky player who is dangerous every time the puck is on his stick. A couple of nice rushes in this one carrying the puck wide around a defenseman using great outside speed. Made a nice play on a rush where he found the trailing defenseman for an open shot from the slot. His awareness on the ice is elite as he senses breakdowns with odd man rushes. His line with Guindon and Cote had some big shifts in this one controlling the play and pouring it on the Lions with a couple of high scoring, including one of a rush. Although Verreault wants to feed his linemates, he needs to get unselfish and burry the puck when he’s in the prime scoring locations.
U16: Team Quebec, August 17, 2019: One of the fastest skaters on the ice, Verreault was buzzing all week especially in the third game. Had a beautiful breakaway goal where he split the defense and roofed one on his backhand. He’s a sneaky goal scorer with quick hands who finds the quiet areas throughout the offensive zone. Don’t be fooled by his small frame as he’s constantly making plays to the net out-battling his opponents for scoring opportunities. He’s a hungry scorer who doesn’t take shifts off. Hampered by a couple of injuries last year he still managed to tear up the league scoring at a 2 point per game clip. Verreault is a dangerous player who capitalizes on sloppy turnovers and odd-man rushes. It will be interesting to see how his style of plays translates at the next level against stronger competition.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images