Game played on 11/29/2024.
Yegor Goryunov (C, L, 6’2″, 190, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, 03/03/2004)
Grade: B
Comments: Goriunov is dynamic skating creative power forward who has great offensive instincts, his edge control and agility are impressive, he plays a gritty in hardnosed style of play and really drives offensive opportunities with his skill and will to compete. Goriunov possesses game breaking qualities and can really take over games with elite offensive instincts, vision and passing ability, his puck skills are very good and he doesn’t mind going to high traffic areas to generate time, space and offensive chances for himself and his teammates, Here’s a player that no doubt has had and will continue to have a lot of pro looks given his overall skill set and ability, It’s all about consistency and bringing his ‘A’ game every night, and if that’s not there what his ‘B’ game looks like away from the puck, He definitely has the ability to get in on the forecheck, create havoc and provide a physically intimidating style of play.
Emanuelson Charbonneau-Joseph (D, R, 6’1″, 205, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, 01/14/2004)
Grade: B
Comments: At 6 feet 2 inches and 203 pounds, Emanuelson is a right-handed defenseman that fits the mold of an average-sized NHL blueliner. He exhibits a strong skating ability with a wide, balanced stride that keeps him stable on his edges. While he is effective in many areas of his game, one key aspect that requires improvement is his gap control; he tends to allow too much space when defending against oncoming attackers, and tighter gaps would enhance his effectiveness. Offensively, he demonstrates a proactive approach by standing up at the blue line, utilizing his quick first three strides to pinch down and maintain puck possession in the offensive zone. His long reach is an asset defensively, allowing him to execute effective stick-checks while remaining aware of incoming pressure, which he adeptly navigates by moving the puck efficiently away from danger. In the defensive zone. He showcases impressive explosiveness when chasing forwards into the corners, demonstrating physicality and strength in battles. His ability to box out opponents is notable, and he positions himself well to be the first player to retrieve loose pucks. He remains composed when facing a forecheck, willing to absorb a hit to make the right play. Offensively, he participates in rushes when necessary but primarily prefers to headman the puck and follow the play rather than leading the charge. On the power play, he contributes effectively from the top, showcasing quick movement and vision. Overall, this defenseman is a reliable, defensively responsible presence on the blue line, with the physicality and strength to handle opponents in front of the net and along the boards.
Alex Carr (D, R, 6’0″, 194, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, 03/30/2004, New Hampshire)
Grade: B
Comments: Alex is a solid two-way defenseman who excels in logging significant minutes across all game situations. Standing at 6 feet tall and weighing 194 pounds, he may be considered undersized by NHL standards; however, he compensates with a high hockey IQ and impressive strength in physical battles. His defensive game begins at the offensive blue line, where his active skating and quick feet allow him to effectively pinch and keep plays alive. When facing opposing attacks, Alex plays with a tight gap, prioritizing body positioning over the puck to neutralize threats before they enter his zone, reminiscent of a classic throwback defenseman. His backward mobility is excellent, enabling him to close off passing lanes and effectively engage his assigned opponent. In his defensive zone, Alex demonstrates impressive awareness, boxing out his check and maintaining a strong defensive position with his head on a swivel, ready to capitalize on loose pucks for quick transitions up the ice. While not a rushing defenseman, he possesses the ability to skate the puck out of danger and is quick to join the offensive rush when necessary. His tendency to penetrate deep into the offensive zone from the blue line provides valuable outlets for his forwards. Alex’s agility and skating prowess are significant assets, allowing him to navigate the blue line effectively. On the power play, he showcases his skill by using a quick snapshot to get pucks through to the net and displaying excellent vision to find open teammates. With his strong skating, high hockey IQ, and evident coachability, Alex is well-positioned to excel at the next level.
Antonin Verreault (LW, L, 5’8″, 170, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, 07/28/2004)
Grade: B
Comments: This 5-foot-8, 170-pound left-winger has proven himself as a key offensive driver throughout his five-year career in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, consistently producing points and leading his team in scoring for the past two seasons. Despite his undersized stature, he compensates with relentless hustle, a high hockey IQ, and an impressive skill set. His skating is a standout attribute; he possesses excellent first-step quickness, enabling him to play at a high pace, while his agility allows him to utilize effective edge work to protect the puck and create time and space against larger defenders. He excels at maintaining possession, drawing defenders toward him, and unselfishly setting up open teammates with precise passes. His offensive instincts shine as he aggressively attacks the blue line, often dishing off pucks before driving to the net, where he effectively creates distractions for goaltenders and defenders alike. Additionally, he showcases his skill on the power play, adeptly positioning himself along the goal line and quickly exploiting seams to attack the open areas in front of the net. Defensively, he demonstrates a solid understanding of his responsibilities, using stop-start techniques and effort to remain aware of his assignments, which contributes to his overall effectiveness on the ice. Overall, his combination of offensive creativity and defensive awareness makes him an invaluable asset to his team.
Scout #2: Antonin Verreault: This kid is literally all over the ice, he’s engaged from puck drop, Verreault is tremendously skilled and incredibly fast, speed for days, he has battled his share of injuries as well which have been well documented, but this kid can really play, great release, obviously everyone will look at his stature, but this kid competes for every lose puck in every situation, Antonin is a coaches dream, can play in any situation and excel, very dangerous player, can take over a game with his skill set at the junior level, could definitely play up and down the line up at the pro level, processes the game extremely well and distributes pucks efficiently and effectively all over the ice, but especially playing through the middle.
Ty Higgins (D, R, 6’0″, 190, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, 09/26/2004)
Grade: B
Comments: Offensively Ty’s quick reaction as a second-wave option allows him to support his forwards and transition smoothly into the offensive zone. He excels at penetrating down from the blue line with the puck, consistently seeking quick strike opportunities while demonstrating excellent skating ability to retrieve the puck from his own end. His agility on the offensive blue line is impressive; he is always in motion, whether creating passing options, pre-pinching to close off lanes, or pinching along the boards to maintain offensive pressure. He demonstrates exceptional puck movement, making quick, accurate passes and efficiently dumping the puck deep into the offensive zone. Ty showcases a strong defensive presence with his ability to maintain a tight gap in the neutral zone, effectively disrupting opposing offensive plays. His defensive skills shine through as he uses his stick effectively to stand up attackers in the neutral zone. Overall, he is a dynamic offensive driver from the blue line. To further enhance his game, he should focus on increasing his physicality and intensity, particularly in battles along the boards and in front of the net.
Scout #2: Ty Higgins: Higgins is a full two and half zone defender at the QMJHL level, but has the potential to lock things down as solid two-zone solid puck moving defender at the next level. Higgins is a strong skater and type of player that could skate for days while logging massive minutes in any situation. He has heavy accurate release from the blueline and jumps into the play when warranted. He has good composure with the puck in all three zones. Higgins jumped into the league two seasons ago, but is gaining more and more confidence with an elevated role with the Titan. He has good agility and solid pivots, but like any young defenseman he could definitely work on that area of his game to ensure he reaches his full potential at the pro level. Higgins has a lot of bite to his game as well and is tough to play against. He possessed a great first pass. This kid will only get better with time, but he definitely has pro potential if he continues to work on his game.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
