Chicoutimi Sagueneens at Shawinigan Cataractes
March 4, 2021
Two of the top teams in the Q’s East Division squared off in this one. After an even first period, the Cataractes used a dominant second period to score three goals. Chicoutimi rallied in the third with a pair of markers, but Shawinigan hung on for a 4-3 win. This report focuses on the draft eligible prospects from Shawinigan. Shawinigan draft eligible players
| Xavier Bourgault | Levis | Midget | R | F | 6’0″ | 172 | Shawinigan Cataractes | L’Islet, QC | 2002 | 2020-2021: A- |
Bourgault was held off the scoresheet in this game, but he flashed all the tools of a top NHL prospect. He showed good separation speed, creating room to operate in the neutral and offensive zones. He also used his quick acceleration to put pressure on Chicoutimi puck carriers, forcing them to rush plays with the puck, resulting in missed passes and broken offensive plays for the Sagueneens. Bourgault was especially effective on the penalty kill in this one, as he used his speed to disrupt passing and shooting lanes, and in one case prevented Chicoutimi from even exiting their own zone despite being on the power play. On a night when he didn’t register a point, Bourgault found ways to help his team win. Rating: A
| Olivier Nadeau | Levis Chevaliers | QMAAA | R | F | 6’2″ | 205 | Shawinigan Cataractes | St. Georges, QC | 2003 | 2020-2021: C+ |
Nadeau doesn’t always look as silky smooth as some top prospects, but what he lacks in finesse he makes up for with grit, hustle and a high hockey IQ. Late in the first period he hustled all the way back from the Chicoutimi crease to his own zone to pick the pocket of a Sagueneens’ puck carrier in the slot, and then quickly turned and hit Xavier Bourgault with an on-the-tape outlet pass that sent him on a partial breakaway. Rating: B+
| Lorenzo Canonica | Lugano U20 | U20 Elit | L | F | 5’11” | 179 | Shawinigan Cataractes | Lugano | 2003 | 2020-2021: B |
Canonica led the Shawinigan attack, picking up three assists in the win. His nicest set-up came on the team’s first goal. He received an outlet pass at his own blue line, then raced past a pair of Chicoutimi defenders to lead a two-on-one into the offensive zone. Canonica looked shot the whole way, but then slid a pass to a wide open Justin Bergeron, who tapped it home to give Shawinigan a 1-0 lead. He looked like a solid two-way player in this game, and consistently made good decisions with the puck. Rating: A
| William Veillette | Levis Chevaliers | QMAAA | L | F | 5’11” | 174 | Shawinigan Cataractes | 2018 | Lévis, QC, CAN, QC | 2002 | 2020-2021: C |
Veillette is a 2002-born winger who was passed over in the 2020 NHL draft. However, he’s worth considering after developing into an offensive weapon this year to go along with his two-way game. He’s got decent size at 6-foot-0 and 190 pounds, is a good skater, is strong on the puck and plays with a nice amount of grit. He put these skills on display in the second period when he picked up a bouncing puck near his own net, carried it through the neutral zone, fighting off a Chicoutimi defender who attempted to first strip him of the puck and then tried unsuccessfully to haul him down. Veillette broke free, earning himself a clean breakaway on which he scored on a quick forehand-backhand deke. Rating: B+