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QMJHL: Acadie-Bathurst Titan at Cape Brenton

February 24, 2024

Emile Perron (D, L, 6’0″, 174, Acadie-Bathurst Titan, 04/10/2005)

Game Grade: B+

Comments: Perron showed a deep knee bend skating posture with a three quarter length quick strides. He showed nice acceleration on puck retrievals and we liked how he looked over his shoulders while heading back for the puck. His ability to win 50/50 pucks and then create offensive transition made him stand out from his peers. Offensively Perron didn’t panic under pressure and worked well with his defensive partner to always be on a hinge in the neutral zone or strong side post support during defensive zone corner battles. He read lines rushes well locating the second wave of the attack while keeping himself between his man and the net. Defensively Perron showed good anticipation and the ability to get his stick on his opponent’s passing attempts. Although he did not appear to be a banger, he was very strong along the walls using his legs to drive his man into the walls and pin him there.

Harry Clements (D, L, 6’0″, 203, Acadie-Bathurst Titan, 01/29/2005)

Game Grade: B+

Comments: Clements is a below average sized left shot defenseman who primarily played the left side. He showed a very smooth stride with an easy glide that made it look like he could gain speed while his legs weren’t moving. On puck retrievals he had a very low panic threshold showing the lower body strength to plant his edges into the ice while a defender was on his back an still cut the net. With the exception of his first pass of the game, which went for an icing, Clements put his passes in an area where his teammate could make the next play without needing to adjust his route or really adjust his hands.

Zachary Deleau (D, L, 5’8″, 166, Acadie-Bathurst Titan, 06/06/2006)

Did not play

Noah Laberge (D, L, 6’0″, 177, Acadie-Bathurst Titan, 10/09/2006)

Game Grade: B+

Comments: Laberge is a a left shot October 2006 defenseman who is not eligible until the 2025 NHL Draft. He showed an extended shoulder width skating base and the edge control to turn on a dime without really needing to lean his body into the turn. In the defensive zone he showed an active stick with a knack for keeping his reach hidden so he could quickly get his stick blade on passing attempts. Offensively he scored on a power play one-timer in the third period. It was not a rocket but the puck had been passed around the offensive zone so when he fired it the goalie was not expecting it. He also had a quick release snap shot in the second that seemed to surprise the goalie and generated a secondary scoring opportunity.

Will Reynolds (D, L, 6’1″, 154, Acadie-Bathurst Titan, 08/11/2007)

Game Grade: C

Comments: Reynolds is a lanky left shot August 2007 defenseman with a smooth pivot who looks like he wants to jump into the rush at every opportunity but knows that he is a rookie so if he does he will end up sitting in the crowd. Offensively he showed poise with the puck and snapped hard flat passes. Defensively he is still gaining strength and power but we liked liked his footwork while battling in the corners and while matching speeds when defending the line rush. He was -2 on the night but he had very little to do with the first minus. On the second minus the puck went low to high, then D to D while he was the weakside defender and rather than boxing out the forwards coming from the strong side corner he moved into the shooting lane as the opposing forward did too. We feel this will be a correctable habit that can be broken. Although we feel there is upside and we like his length there is no doubt Reynolds is still adjusting to the QMJHL.

Zachary Robichaud (D, L, 6’0″, 174, Acadie-Bathurst Titan, 08/24/2006)

Did not play.

Louis-Francois Belanger (C, L, 5’8″, 164, Acadie-Bathurst Titan, 11/14/2007)

Game Grade: B

Comments: Belanger is an undersized left shot forward with an athletic deep knee bend skating posture and fluid strides that return on it’s flat edge. He showed a powerful cross-under that allowed him to accelerate out of power turns and hard hockey stops. Offensively he had the timing to arrive at the net or slot just as the puck was arriving so even though he may be light he had two quick stick rebounds from the top of the crease with some time and space. Defensively he is a bit of wanderer but we feel he will add details to his game as he gains QMJHL experience. As a November 2007 he is still growing and adding strength and combine that with his offensive instincts we feel he is well worth watching for the 2026 NHL draft.

Samuel Frechette (RW, R, 5’7″, 178, Acadie-Bathurst Titan, 04/29/2006)

Did not play

Ty Peddigrew (C, L, 6’0″, 151, Acadie-Bathurst Titan, 03/02/2007)

Game Grade: C

Comments: Peddigrew is an averaged sized left shot forward who still gaining strength and adding mass to his frame. He showed a three-quarter length stride that almost pushed straight back with a narrow base that looked to be inside of his shoulders. In the defensive zone he understood when to assume the low forward responsibilities and he did a good job of staying on the defensive side of the wall battles through contact. During off puck defensive situations there were a few times when he did not recognize his responsibilities as the F2 or F3 and ended up getting caught getting caught going the wrong way through the passing lane. Offensively he seemed to never really get anything going but he we noticed that he did understand the importance of creating mismatches in width and depth on zone entries. Pettigrew is a 2007 who is still adjusting to the QMJHL.

Yannik Ponzetto (LW, L, 6’1″, 163, Acadie-Bathurst Titan, 06/08/2006)

Game Grade: C

Comments: Ponzetto is a lanky left shot forward who took shifts on the right wing. He showed a forward leaning skating posture that made him look like he was always on his toes. He finished minus 1 on the night with the goal originating off of clean offensive zone possession and turning into a full length 4 on 2. On the play Ponzetto failed to recognize that his linemates were below the offensive goal line and he went into a loose puck scum that he had no chance of winning. After the turnover he busted his butt to get back but with better game awareness and recognition he remains a responsible F3 and the 4 on 2 never happens. Ponzetto is still adjusting to the QMJHL and is on his third team of the season.

Dawson Sharkey (RW, R, 6’0″, 166, Acadie-Bathurst Titan, 07/23/2006)

Game Grade: B-

Comments: Sharkey is a below average sized right shot forward who played wing. He showed a powerful stride and the strength to power through contact on his way to the net front or a loose puck. He played with grit but in our opinion there were too many times he was looping in off puck defensive situations. Offensively he showed some wiggle in 1 on 1 situations and he displayed a consistent shoot first mentality. He started the season playing in the NBPEIMU18HL where he had 22 points and 58 PIMs in 14 games before moving to the MJAHL for 1 game. His path makes him a very interesting player to track.

Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images

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