Game played 1/31/2025.
Matthew Butler (C, L, 5’7″, 153, Charlottetown Islanders, 05/19/2006)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Butler is a smaller sized winger who can has quick feet and can out skate someone in a longer distance. Butler scored a nice goal to open the scoring with a nice little toe drag off the rush while in tight to a defenders stick. As he got the puck right after the blue, Butler pulled the puck into his body, doing this also created a screen using the defender and made it tough for the goalie to track. A characteristic or foundation that a part of Butlers game is built around is his insatiable drive to hunt down pucks. It is how he typically creates offense and how he suppresses the oppositions offense. He is a quintessential puck-hound and arguably his best attribute is his forechecking ability. You could argue maybe not his best attribute now at this level, but this type of mentality of course will help him if he wants to continue to move up.
Pavel Simek (LW, L, 5’10”, 170, Charlottetown Islanders, 01/14/2005)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Simek was able to show tonight that he does a good job at using his base to be a hard player to play against. Scored a nice goal of the faceoff. This could have been a play where he comes around the top but he did a nice job at getting the shot off quickly and using the blocking defenders as a screen. Being able to handle a puck in tight and get it off quickly, accurately is tougher than it looks. Simek was able to show a nice set of hands and the confidence to control the puck in a pressure situation. .Spence is able to read the play well and get to the puck below the goal line. He then quickly carries it out front and wants to jam pucks.
Jude Herron (C, R, 5’10”, 172, Charlottetown Islanders, 04/29/2008, Maine)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Huron showed tonight that he is strong on his skates and has this type of lanky skating stride to him. With this stride, he has long powerful pushes but also a little deceptiveness in it where he can turn in small areas. Scored a nice goal getting back door for a tap in where he followed up a play at the net. He changes angles at a slow speed quickly, and he can fake passes as well. He lacks top speed out of the jump and acceleration, which limits him on various occasions, especially in his own end on the breakout. He was at his best tonight when he was moving with the puck and wanted to get his feet moving.
Evan Depatie (D, R, 5’8″, 180, Val d’Or Foreurs, 08/19/2006)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Depatie was able to show tonight that he can defend well. You typically sees him engaging opponents one on one trying to strip them of the puck but he also has good situational awareness at times and is able to apply a more passive pressure and guide them into trouble before striking. This was more obviously shown while taking rushes where he was able to see the play and make a more thoughtful attack.
Jeremy Leroux (C, R, 5’9″, 190, Val d’Or Foreurs, 05/15/2006)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Leroux was able to show tonight that he does a good job at reading the play as it develops, and on multiple occasions, I caught him covering for his defenders. Forwards that do this display a great level of defensive awareness and confidence in their ability to defend. It is very valuable to have players who can do this as it helps to open up more flexibility in the offensive zone where defenders can step up and help to create offense without leaving their partners completely stranded.
Donovan Arsenault (RW, R, 6’2″, 200, Val d’Or Foreurs, 06/18/2004)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Donovan Arsenault is a two-way forward who plays an aggressive forechecking game with adept defensive skills, logging significant time on both special teams. the’ forward may not have the dynamic offensive abilities of some of the higher-end players on the ice have but he was able to show consistency. Putting it simply, he can rip pucks. He has a very powerful and accurate shot that is capable of beating net minders cleanly. If given the time and space, he can pick corners well and is even able to show off some finesse when given the chance.
Samuel Fiala (C, R, 6’1″, 185, Val d’Or Foreurs, 04/09/2005)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Fiala has many tools in his belt that help him generate offense and capitalize on chances. Of course, as I mentioned before, a large part of his offense comes from his heavy forechecking game. One of the most notable ways he does this is by creating odd-man rushes or breakaways from stealing pucks. Another way that Fiala is able to contribute on offense is by utilizing the home plate area in front of the opposing teams net. When he does not have the puck, he can usually be found either battling for position in front of the goalie or getting into open ice to prepare to be a shooting threat. Fiala is able to read the play well and get to the puck below the goal line. He then quickly carries it out front.
William-Charles Bishop (D, L, 5’11”, 202, Val d’Or Foreurs, 04/20/2004)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Bishop is an offensive defenseman who does a good job at moving the puck. Another big part of Bishops game is his ability to create offense through actions in the defensive zone. He is able to spot vulnerabilities and by playing an aggressive style is able to create odd-man rushes for himself. He really does a good job at being an example of ‘good defense is a good offense’. His adept defensive play allows him to consistently log time on the penalty-kill where he is able to steal pucks from opposing players and kill time by rushing up the ice with possession and applying pressure when the puck reaches the other end.
Connor Macey (F, R, 5’11”, 195, Val d’Or Foreurs, 02/15/2005)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: While being a role s more of a two-way forward, Macey has a fairly well-rounded defensive game. He was able to show tonight that stealing pucks and winning battles is a large part of his play on defense. Of course, it is a cliché, but he possesses an active stick that he uses very well to steer opponents into danger and to suppress their offense. He was able to show tonight that he he is not afraid to engage in the battle. A lot of players first step are hesitant to get hit, Macey showed some fearless battle play.
Nathan Brisson (C, L, 5’10”, 180, Val d’Or Foreurs, 09/22/2006)
Game Rating
A
1 Viewing
Comments: Brisson scored a hat trick tonight, he has a ton of skills in his bag and showed them on his goals. Brisson has a special feel for the right timing and especially hiding those shots around opponents. On the power play you really get to see him play him with more confidence. Five on five he gets rid of a lot of pucks early and does not want the pressure mostly while holding the puck. He has so much potential in making plays at all times. This is a very harsh critique for one of the better players on the ice but it is something he should be able to dominate at. He is able to generate good power in just a few strides and can even find good separation using his speed. He is also quite mobile, being able to move around defenders with little issue and showing flashes of deception multiple times in one possession.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images