Played on Sep 9, 2022
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
Game Played in Aitken University Centre
Scout: Marlin Muylaert
| Dylan MacKinnon | Halifax Mooseheads | QMJHL | R | D | 6’2″ | 186 | Halifax Mooseheads | 2021 | Moncton, NB | 2005 | 2022-2023: B- |
Game Rating
B+
Comments: Dylan played the type of poised, positional steady game you would expect from a seasoned veteran. He has a good frame to work with at 6’2 and close to 190 pounds. But what jumps immediately is how smooth and effortless he is on his skates. He showed great edges in his turns, his transitions and his quick direction changes. Very smooth and executed effortlessly. He is fast back pedaling for retrieval and when he gains the puck he uses the far post as a screen really well, comes around the net and jumps out with good breakout speed, head up and looking to move pucks quickly. When pressured and in corner battles or board battles Dylan showed good spins and puck protection maneuvers. I liked his defensive game a lot. He stands up at the opposing blueline, confident in his skating and keeping pucks in and plays alive. And on one pinch attempt although not in quick enough to keep the puck in he at least pressured the winger into a quick inaccurate pass, then bumped his man to beat him back down the ice. He defends in the face of the attack, able to close on puck carriers quickly with good long lateral cross over strides, and his stick was very very good, poking pucks away from forwards. Offensively he did not show a ton on this night, but he did get his snap shots away quickly and to the net. Dylan made very good passes both from breakouts but as well in transition moving pucks to forwards quickly and accurately. Later in the game Dylan found opportunity to jump up into attacks as 3d man, and was able to get to the opponents net quickly then pull out fast and back into defensive position. He was not a big point producer last season, his rookie season, but it looks like Dylan has some offensive upside with his skating and hockey sense and I think we will see a bigger offensive contribution from his this season.
| Mathieu Cataford | Halifax Mooseheads | QMJHL | R | RW | 5’11” | 187 | Halifax Mooseheads | 2021 | Chateauguay, QC | 2005 | 2022-2023: B- |
Game Rating
B+
Comments: Mathieu is coming off of a very impressive rookie season in the QMJHL where he racked up 46 points in 62 games as a first year player. In this game it was easy to see why, as Mathieu was a playmaking force in this game. On this night he assisted by sending a teammate on a short handed breakaway that ended up in the net, followed that up with a great tight spin at the opponents net putting a quick shot on net that was stuffed in by a teammate for a power play goal, then assisted on an even strength 5th goal. The coach has confidence in Mathieu as not only is he out their first for power plays but he is out their first for short handed situations as well. On this night as a right hand shot they had Mathieu playing the left side. What was really impressive was Mathieu’s willingness to go to the net. He played in front of the goalie on this night on power plays and took some punishment as he screened the goalie and was generally a distraction. He is quick to move from net to side for support and is dangerous with his quick passes. Additionally Mathieu did not hesitate to take pucks from behind the goal line into traffic and chaos at the front of the net in his attempt to generate offense. I did not see a ton of speed out of Mathieu but his small ice skating, puck protection and quick maneuvering in tight situations was impressive. If there was an area of his game that I thought needed work it was his play in his end on the wall where he needs to be just a bit stronger on and with the puck against pressure. But all in all he had a solid game and will be a good draft prospect.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images