| Marcus Kearsey | Charlottetown Islanders | QMJHL | L | D | 5’10” | 173 | Charlottetown Islanders | 2022 | Deer Lake, NL | 2006 | 2023-2024: C |
Game Grade: B-
Comments: Had a very tough outing versus the Cats, but normally he’s an extremely gifted skater, almost seems like he floats on the ice, he’s a smooth operator when it comes to the transition game, very good hands and puck skills, great instincts to jump into the play and join the rush, has really worked hard the last few years picking and choose his spots, that trend will have to continue to reach his full potential at the next level, Marcus has a good release from the point position, solid gap control and active stick, he has also worked hard on his upper body strength and providing grit to his game to ensure he wins his share of puck battles below the dots, Great compete level, he plays with an edge, He is always looking to push the pace, as in many young transitional puck movers, sometimes less is more, but Kearsey has all the tools to be a highly effective transitional two and a half zone defender at the pro level, Some prospects need time, Kearsey is one of them, we still haven’t seen the best from him, but all the tools are present, just needs to continue to get stronger and increase the element of jam to his game in defensive situations, He’s progressively becoming tougher to play against, teams will key in on him when he has the puck because he’s dangerous with it, Where is this kid going to be at 20 or 22? If things continue to progress he could very well be a very high contributor at the pro level.
| Matthew Butler | Charlottetown Islanders | QMJHL | L | C | 5’7″ | 154 | Charlottetown Islanders | 2022 | St. John’s, NL | 2006 | 2023-2024: C |
Game Grade: B+
Comments: tremendously skilled two-way player with exceptional processing and puck skills in traffic, elite level skating ability, edge control and agility, great accurate release, half board power play specialist, the offensive numbers might not be right now, but he will be over a point a game player in the years to come, definitely a player to watch moving forward, outstanding skill set, he’s a special talent and player that will only get better and better as time goes on, definitely has pro potential, scouts will look at his size as a detriment, but this kid plays a lot bigger than his stature
| Alexis Michaud | Charlottetown Islanders | QMJHL | R | RW | 6’0″ | 170 | Charlottetown Islanders | 2022 | Quebec, QC | 2006 | 2023-2024: C+ |
Game Grade: B
Comments: B- offensively gifted player with a tremendous skill set, needs to engage and get to the middle more to execute and create time and space for himself and others, this kid can score, has a tremendously accurate release, if he would slightly raise his compete level and go more readily to the dirty areas his game would flourish, tons of upside to this player, just needs to figure out the gritty aspects of his game, needs more urgency in one on one battles, definitely has all the tools to be an effective pro if he elevate his compete level.
| Keegan Warren | Moncton Wildcats | QMJHL | L | G | 6’2″ | 182 | Moncton Wildcats | 2021 | Conception Bay South, NL | 2005 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: B-
Comments: Warren is highly athletic netminder. Keegan was selected in the 14th round in 2021 QMJHL Entry Draft which would definitely classify him as a late bloomer. Warren had a monumental rookie campaign a season ago for the Maritime Hockey League Champions the Yarmouth Mariners. Warren along with American born netminder Joey Lovullo backstopped the Mariners all the way to the National semifinals. In 23 regular season games with Mariners, Warren had a record of 19-3-1, with 2.19 goals against average and .912 save percentage. In two playoff appearances, he had 2-0 record with 2.96 goals against average and .910 save percentage. Warren’s stat line in the Centennial Cup might not look the greatest, but he stood on his head at times throughout the tournament and kept the Mariners right until the end. Warren is an ultra-competitive athletic netminder, he’s technically sound, very square to the shooter, always challenges and telescopes out to the shooter, actively fights for his space at the top of the blue paint in traffic. He’s a battler in there, has the tendency to lose his net or over commit at times when during high pressure scenarios or cross crease pressure, his athleticism and quickness are definitely his strongest attributes, With more time and reps Warren definitely has the potential to be a solid netminder at the pro level.
| Vincent Collard | Moncton Wildcats | QMJHL | R | C | 6’2″ | 189 | Baie-Comeau Drakkar | 2021 | Chicoutimi, QC | 2005 | 2023-2024: C 2022-2023: C |
Game Grade: B+
Comments: + is a strong skater, with solid edge control and agility, he provides a solid two-way presence and he will definitely be ready to step in and have an impact at the next level if he continues to progress. There’s no question he has worked on his skating over the summer, still needs to get a little quicker or more explosiveness to reach his full potential at the pro level, Definitely projects to be a solid 3rd line checking center or winger at the pro level with tons of offensive upside, Collard’s ability to generate time and space for himself and his teammates coupled with the intangibles he brings like relentless work ethic and ability to play in traffic will serve him well in the pro game. He has a pro release, which is heavy and an extremely accurate. Collard’s versatility is one of his strongest attributes, he can play both forward positions with relative ease, definitely a player to watch moving forward, Some young players search for their identity, Vincent Collard takes a lot of pride in being a player that is extremely difficult to play against in any situation, Collard has really picked up his game with the Wildcats this season, his scoring touch has resurfaced, just needs to continue to work on his speed and explosiveness.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images