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QMJHL Playoffs: Sherbrooke (2) at Blainville-Boisbriand (3)

Played on Mar 28, 2025

Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League

Game Played in Centre d’Excellence Sports Rousseau

Game Sheet

Justin Carbonneau (RW, R, 6’1″, 195, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, 11/25/2006)

A

Justin Carbonneau is a skilled forward with excellent hockey sense, allowing him to anticipate plays and capitalize on mistakes. He consistently creates scoring chances by positioning himself well and reading the game. With the puck on his stick, Justin exhibits strong puck-handling skills, using agility and quick hands to create space for shots. His resilience and toughness enable him to continue competing at a high level after being hit. Defensively, Justin is a responsible player who excels in both neutral zone play and defensive situations. He makes smart plays and demonstrates a commitment to blocking shots when needed. Justin also brings physicality and leadership qualities, standing up for his teammates and battling hard along the boards and in front of the net. His ability to support his team directly contributes to their success.

1 Viewing

Comments: Justin is a big, powerful forward with a fantastic skating stride that allows him to cover the ice effectively. While his offensive game is impressive, he could benefit from working a little harder on the backcheck to become more well-rounded defensively. On the breakout, he made a hard, accurate pass to the red line to start a rush, showcasing his strong passing ability. His combination of speed and strength makes him difficult to contain, as he uses both to get by defenders and create scoring chances. Justin is not afraid to dig in on the puck and doesn’t mind getting his nose dirty in the scrums, demonstrating his gritty and competitive nature. His hand-eye coordination is exceptional, as he can knock pucks out of the air with ease and even take a pass behind his back, turning it into an immediate scoring opportunity. While he could improve on getting in passing lanes in his own zone, Justin’s commitment to his team was evident when he was the first player to jump in after an opponent dumped his goalie, despite being out of the zone. Offensively, he is very gifted, able to quickly shift the puck into a shooting position. He displayed this skill when he received a pass, made a quick move to get by the defender, opened up the goalie, and slid the puck five-hole. In another play, Justin got a step on his defender, received a beauty pass, and, despite being taken off his feet, dove to snipe the top corner, showcasing his tenacity and finishing ability. Justin’s blend of size, skill, and determination makes him a dynamic player with great offensive potential.

Zachary Wheeler (RW, R, 6’2″, 170, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, 01/16/2007)

Game Rating

C+

Zachary Wheeler is a physical forward who excels at winning faceoffs due to his strong technique and size advantage. He effectively uses his reach to disrupt opponents and supports his team’s defense by quickly getting back on the backcheck. However, he sometimes struggles under pressure in the defensive zone, particularly when handling the puck, and can appear hesitant in making quick decisions. Improving his puck protection, composure, and battle intensity along the boards will be key areas for development. While Zachary has a solid foundation as a two-way forward, there is room for growth in these specific skills. With focus on refining these aspects of his game, he has the potential to become a reliable player in all situations.

1 Viewing

Comments: Zachary is a big forward who excels at creating space for himself, using his size and good hands to get pucks towards the net after winning battles along the wall. As an effortless skater, he is able to close the gap on defenders quickly, utilizing his skating ability to make plays in tight spaces. While he’s not overly physically strong when engaging in contact, his agility and hockey sense allow him to make an impact in battles and along the boards. Defensively, Zachary works hard to get back and cover the F3 during zone entries, showing good awareness in his own end. He also displays strong defensive instincts, as he followed his man to the net to prevent any offensive opportunities and ensure the puck didn’t get through. Zachary’s combination of size, skating, and two-way commitment makes him a valuable player who can contribute both offensively and defensively.

Bo Damphousse (D, R, 6’2″, 183, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, 10/21/2007)

Game Rating

B

1 Viewing

Comments: Bo is a solid defenseman with strong defensive instincts, though he could benefit from taking a bit more time with his shots. On one occasion, he rushed a shot that ended up firing into shin pads, a reminder to slow down and ensure better accuracy. Defensively, Bo excels in coverage, especially when he stepped up to support his D partner, who got caught at the line, working hard to recover and prevent a scoring chance. In the defensive zone, Bo does a great job clearing the front of the net, removing opposing players to give his goaltender a better look at the puck. His commitment to defensive details and awareness in both zone coverage and transition make him a reliable presence on the back end.

Mateo Nobert (C, L, 6’0″, 166, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, 08/12/2007)

Game Rating

B+

Mateo Nobert is a skilled forward with a strong focus on ball-handling and creativity in his game. He possesses excellent hands, which enable him to execute high-skill maneuvers with precision and speed. When given space and time, Mateo showcases his ability to make dynamic plays that create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. He has the potential to be a threat from anywhere on the ice, as evidenced by his quick footwork and ability to burst through the neutral zone. Despite some moments of hesitation in heavy traffic, Mateo’s poise and soft hands allow him to stay composed under pressure. His confidence and patience are notable assets, even when he fails to convert scoring chances.

1 Viewing

Comments: Mateo is an exciting forward with a lot of promise, though he could benefit from adding some size to better compete in the physical battles, especially on faceoffs. He showcases fantastic explosive skating, which allows him to get to loose pucks quickly and fire hard shots on net. However, extending his stride could help him gain more speed in open ice. Mateo has a keen offensive sense, as demonstrated by his ability to get the puck down low and quickly release a shot that forced a big save from the goalie. His forechecking is relentless, making him a tough player to play against, and he works extremely hard to disrupt opponents’ plays. As a smart offensive player, Mateo can walk in and look for the pass but isn’t afraid to take matters into his own hands with a quick, hard snap shot. His shot off the rush is powerful and difficult to defend against, especially when he quickly stops and fires on the move. He demonstrated excellent vision with a beautiful stretch pass to Carbonneau that resulted in an amazing breakaway goal. Mateo also shows great hand-eye coordination, as he received a slap pass and tipped it top shelf for a beautiful goal. His combination of speed, intelligence, and shooting ability makes him a dangerous offensive weapon.

Olivier Lemieux (LW, L, 5’9″, 173, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, 11/27/2006)

Game Rating

C+

1 Viewing

Comments: Olivier is a forward who plays with a strong work ethic and a relentless approach to the puck. His tracking and physicality on the ice are notable, as he consistently engages in battles and competes hard for possession. He has a quick release on his snap shot, which caused problems for the goalie when he fired it off a loose puck. Olivier is a smooth transition skater, with his feet always moving, allowing him to find open ice and create opportunities. He displays fantastic awareness and effort to get to the front of the net, where he had a wide-open look but unfortunately misfired on the chance. However, his ability to get behind defenders is impressive, showing that he has the speed and hockey IQ to create scoring chances. With his combination of hard work, quick release, and ability to get to the right areas of the ice, Olivier is a dangerous player in all situations.

Robin Benoit (RW, R, 6’0″, 180, Sherbrooke Phoenix, 07/15/2007, Nebraska Omaha)

Game Rating

B-

Robin is a forward with excellent vision and awareness of the play, often staying on the perimeter to anticipate where the puck is headed. He excels at making quick cuts with the puck and has a strong defensive game, sneaking in to intercept passes and disrupt opponents. On offense, Robin demonstrates good playmaking ability, particularly when threading passes through traffic. His hand-eye coordination and agility enable him to create opportunities by moving effectively toward the net. However, he occasionally struggles with physical contact and making optimal decisions under pressure. To elevate his game, Robin will need to develop greater physical resilience and drive into core areas. Additionally, increasing assertiveness and quick decision-making in key moments will be essential for unlocking his full potential as an offensive contributor.

1 Viewing

Comments: Robin has a smooth and efficient skating stride, with quick first three steps that make him a constant threat on the forecheck. His acceleration allows him to close the gap on defensemen quickly, making it difficult for them to handle the puck under pressure. This quickness, combined with his determination, makes him a disruptive force in the offensive zone, as he forces defenders into hurried decisions and creates turnovers. Robin’s skating allows him to maintain a relentless forechecking presence, consistently putting pressure on the puck carrier and challenging defensemen to make plays under duress.

Florent Houle (RW, R, 5’11”, 180, Sherbrooke Phoenix, 08/04/2007)

Game Rating

B

Florent Houle is a highly skilled forward with exceptional puck control, vision, and playmaking ability. He consistently creates scoring opportunities through his relentless work ethic and anticipation, making him a valuable asset to any team. His hands are particularly impressive, allowing him to stickhandle past defenders with ease and make quick, precise plays under pressure. Florent’s ability to receive passes cleanly and transition into playmaking mode is also noteworthy, as he has a knack for catching difficult passes and distributing the puck with precision. His creativity and confidence with the puck make him a constant threat in transition and around the net.

1 Viewing

Comments: Florent is a strong and physical forward who thrives in high-contact situations. He laid a massive hit on an opponent and wasn’t afraid to engage in the muck, showing his toughness and competitive nature. He excels in physical battles, always working incredibly hard to come out on top. Florent is constantly in the thick of things, using his forechecking ability to get to the net quickly and create scoring chances. He made an excellent drop pass to a teammate in front of the net, demonstrating his awareness and playmaking skills. While he has a good start-and-stop ability with the puck to avoid checkers, he needs to refine his hands to better capitalize on the open ice he creates. Florent also plays well on the point of the power play, using his vision and ability to get pucks through to generate offense. He had a great scoring opportunity, skating hard to the net and firing a quick backhand that rang off the post.

Eliott Guenette (C, L, 5’10”, 145, Sherbrooke Phoenix, 08/12/2007)

Game Rating

C+

This player demonstrates strong skillset qualities in their forward position, particularly in the defensive zone where they consistently outmuscle opponents to gain possession of the puck. Their awareness and determination are evident as they expertly pin down opponents and quickly transition to a smart pass to an open teammate for a clean zone exit. Their hard-nosed style is on display as they draw penalties through their relentless efforts, showcasing their physicality and competitive drive. They also excel at creating turnovers in open ice by using their stick handling skills to disrupt opponents’ possession.

1 Viewing

Comments: Eliott may not have the fastest skating, but he makes up for it with his work ethic and determination to get pucks out of his own zone. He is willing to take hits to make plays and does a great job closing in on opponents in the neutral zone, laying a solid open-ice hit to create a turnover. Eliott’s crossover technique is impressive, allowing him to go from standing still to full speed quickly, which helps him receive passes and hit full speed in the neutral zone. His hustle on the backcheck is noticeable, as he works hard to get on the man physically and assist with takeaways. While skating is not his biggest strength, his commitment to playing a physical, effective game and his ability to create turnovers make him a valuable asset.

Louis-Alex Tremblay (D, R, 5’9″, 175, Sherbrooke Phoenix, 02/05/2007)

Game Rating

A-

Louis-Alex is a skilled defenseman with a strong focus on puck movement and playmaking ability. He excels in transition and along the blue line, using his speed and agility to create scoring chances for his team. His vision and passing ability allow him to make smart plays, and he has a hard shot that can be effective when given space. While Louis-Alex has a lot of positive attributes, there are areas where he needs improvement. He sometimes struggles with lateral mobility, which can limit his effectiveness in certain situations. Additionally, he could work on getting more shots on goal and improving his accuracy from the point. With refinement in these areas, Louis-Alex has the potential to be an even more effective two-way defenseman. His ability to dictate play with his passing and shooting makes him a valuable presence on the blue line.

1 Viewing

Comments: Louis-Alex is a poised defenseman with excellent puck movement and a calm demeanor under pressure. He excels defensively, particularly on the penalty kill, where his timing to block pucks stands out—he was consistently eating pucks throughout the game. While his skating could benefit from more explosiveness, his strong edge work and smooth puck handling allow him to move effectively. Louis-Alex is a great passer, able to find his teammates through traffic, which creates quick transitions through the neutral zone. He does a solid job of tracking plays into the defensive zone, adjusting his positioning accordingly. Although he can be bumped off the puck a little too easily at times, he makes up for it with his intelligence and vision. On the power play, he plays at the top of the unit, smartly opening up and getting off a hard shot for a rebound opportunity. His first steps could improve to help keep pucks in at the blue line, but his quick moves toward the middle of the ice create passing lanes, especially to the shooter on the left wing. His hustle to keep the puck in on the power play was impressive, as he made a beautiful chip pass that led to a key setup goal to pull his team within one.

Thomas Rousseau (RW, R, 5’10”, 165, Sherbrooke Phoenix, 02/12/2008)

Game Rating

B+

Thomas Rousseau is a dynamic forward with impressive puck skills and agility, making him a threat on the rush. He excels at controlling the pace of play, using quick movements and sharp turns to create space and opportunities. His intelligence and vision allow him to make high-speed decisions that often lead to scoring chances. While he can be vulnerable in puck retrieval situations, Thomas has shown flashes of brilliance in tight spaces, such as when he corralled a bouncing puck and executed a sharp change of direction. His speed and agility also enable him to create turnovers on the penalty kill, making him a valuable asset on shorthanded plays.

1 Viewing

Comments: Thomas is a high-motor forward who brings intensity and physicality to his game, particularly evident in his strong faceoff performances in the defensive zone and his ability to win tough battles along the boards. He displays excellent strength on the rush, showing the ability to absorb contact and even plant opposing players with well-timed open-ice hits. His foot speed is impressive, allowing him to get in on plays quickly, though he would benefit from refining his starts, stops, and quick turns to improve agility and control. Defensively, he is active with his stick and does a solid job disrupting passing lanes, but quicker decision-making on the rush could enhance his one-on-one defensive coverage. While his puck absorption needs development—occasionally struggling with clean receptions in the defensive zone—he shows smart offensive instincts. One notable play saw him recognize a backdoor opportunity, using a clever fake to draw a defender before attempting a pass that, while accurate, was unfortunately blocked. With continued work on his puck control and defensive reads, Thomas has the tools to become a reliable two-way forward.

Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images

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