On Wednesday February 19th Neutral Zone NHL was in attendance for the Rimouski Oceanic at Moncton Wildcats overtime thriller. Below are the game evaluations for Mocton’s NHL prospects;
Elliot Desnoyers (4 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — C+) Forward
Game Grade: B-, The draft-eligible Desnoyers did not put any points on the board in his team’s 4-3 OT win. He did show some skill and generated a scoring chance with his quick transition play–stripping a puck in the neutral zone and carrying the puck on entry for a 2v1 where he gave a good head-fake and managed a dangerous shot on net. He’s a quality skater, though I would like to see him be moving his feet all the time–he seems to sit back and try and read the play a bit too much–use that quickness and go win pucks.
Jakob Pelletier (4.5 Star Amateur Rating, 2019 round 1 #26 overall by Calgary Flames, NHL Grade — A-) Forward
Game Grade: A-, Pelletier gives a complete effort in all areas of the game. He isn’t the biggest guy, but he is willing to mix it up around the net and stand up for his guys. He battles for pucks, and works hard on the forecheck. His assist came on a pass to the point after retrieving a puck on the forecheck. He is the bumper man on the PP with a willingness to get in front when he needs to. He is a passionate player–celebrating hard after he scored the game winner in OT on an entry with speed and a good shot. The Calgary 1st Rounder from last June has 72 points in 47 games.
Jordan Spence (4.25 Star Amateur Rating, 2019 round 4 #95 overall by Los Angelos Kings NHL Grade — B) Defense
Game Grade: A-, Spence had a good night here–scoring a PP goal on a rush entry with a snipe of a shot. He led the breakout, kicked the puck out wide, drove himself into space, corralled a saucer pass and labeled it top-shelf. He is a good puck distributor, and showed good defensive positioning as well–covering in front of the net with strength even though he isn’t the biggest guy. The LA 4th Rounder from last June was active offensively, going low in the zone in possession as well as working the blue line both with a man advantage and at even strength.
Jeremy McKenna (4.25 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — FREE AGENT) Forward
Game Grade: A-, McKenna was first star here and for good reason–putting up 2 goals and 2 assists en route to a 4-3 OT win for the Wildcats. McKenna, an overaged 1999 born forward, has 31 goals and 33 assists for 64 points through 47 games. He has a willingness to get to the net–scoring his first goal on a tipped point shot, then planting himself in front of the goalie on the PP as a good screen. His saucer pass assist on entry on the PP showed a high level of skill, as did his drag and shoot play for his second goal to take the lead 3-2 in the 3rd. He made a smart play in OT playing the puck out to center to maintain possession for his second assist and fourth point of the game. Liked the Calgary free agent signing’s willingness to get to the net and to work on the forecheck.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
Game Evaluation: William White