February 25, 2024
Charles Gravel (G, R, 6’0″, 188, Baie-Comeau Drakkar, 03/23/2004)
Game Grade: A
Comments: Charles Edward Gravel is a below average sized athletic goalie who processes the game cleanly and shows good overall game awareness. Rimouski attempted 39 shots with 19 of them hitting the net and only three of those coming from inside of the house. The 2004 was not challenged very often but often times those are the games when young goaltenders have mid lapses but Gravel stayed focused and came away with a shutout. He is probably too short to viewed as a potential draft pick but there is no denying the positive impact he is having on his team’s success as since his trade to Baie-Comeau he has a 13-5 record with a 2.29 GAA and a 0.905 sv%
Mattias Gilbert (D, R, 6’5″, 216, Baie-Comeau Drakkar, 01/31/2006)
Game Grade: B+
Comments: Gilbert is long lanky but strong right shot defenseman who is still growing into himself physically and finding his stride. There were a few times while defending that it looked like a quick stutter step was going to give him issues but instead he used a hidden poke check to force his opponent into mistakes. Offensively he made a good first pass and then moved his route to the inside of the dot-lane so he was always in a smart position to defend. Overall he knows his body and plays to a simple identity that he kept him out of trouble. At this point Gilbert is not rated by Central Scouting. He only has 4 PIMs in 48 games so he will need to add some snarl but Neutral Zone has him with a “C+” 2024 draft grade as we see him as a development coach’s dream.
Alexis Mathieu (D, L, 6’3″, 175, Baie-Comeau Drakkar, 05/25/2007)
Game Grade: DNP
Comments: Mathieu is a long lean 6’3″ left shot defenseman who is still gaining strength and power but has made improvements to his skating base and agility during his rookie year in the QMJHL. There is not doubt that he will need a big offseason of off-ice training to capitalize on his length and general game awareness. For the season he is winning 52% of his 50/50 puck battles and averaging 1.28 hits per game.
Raoul Boilard (C, L, 6’1″, 188, Baie-Comeau Drakkar, 01/07/2006)
Game Grade: B
Comments: Boilard is a conscientious 200′ left center who understands that when his team doesn’t have the puck that they are on defense. That might sound so obvious but as we know players cheat to the offensive side of the battel while he simply stays on the net side. Offensively he moved the puck when he was supposed to and then moved his feet to be a pass receiving option or he drove to the net looking for rebounds. We liked how he stopped at the crease and did not do fly bye’s that took him out of the play. Although he did not end up on the score sheet he finished with a game high 3 grade “A” opportunities and all three came as a result of him having good habits around the net. We also like that he is strong and powerful with a willingness to play the body without taking himself out of the play. Our main area for concern is that he is winning 45% of his 50/50 puck battles and we feel for him to play his 200′ style in the NHL that number will have to rise dramatically next year for him to have a realistic chance at being a middle six forward with a conscious.
Kirill Evstigneev (RW, L, 5’11”, 159, Baie-Comeau Drakkar, 01/19/2006)
Game Grade: DNP
Comments from the Chicago Steel Icebreaker Tournament: Kirill likes to set up shop under the goal line and behind the net, especially on the powerplay. Defenders always need to be aware of when he is on the ice. His puck pursuit and game away from the puck looked good due to the pressure that he added. He did not make the scoresheet in this game, but he pushed opponents back with his skating ability. Grade: B
Justin Poirier (RW, R, 5’7″, 183, Baie-Comeau Drakkar, 09/04/2006)
Game Grade: B+
Comments: Poirier is an undersized right shot right wing with an inside edge skating base and quick feet. He is not a straight line burner but he shows nice puck anticipation and has the quick first step to allow him to win 10′ to 12′ loose puck races. He has a soft first touch on both his forehand or backhand and has the soft hands to pass a rolling puck that is flat when it reaches his intended target. In the offensive zone he seemed to always have a plan but at the same point could think on his feet and change his mind while the puck was already in motion. He shoots with the purpose of scoring goals or creating rebounds that will lead to goals. An offensively gifted winger.
Jabez Seymour (LW, R, 6’3″, 192, Baie-Comeau Drakkar, 07/27/2007)
Game Grade: C
Comments: Seymour is a massive July 2007 who standing at 6’3″, 195lbs has a true NHL frame. He showed an upright shoulder width skating posture with three quarter length strides that we feel will get longer as he gains core strength and flexibility. He played forth line minutes in this game but he did have a quick stick grade “A” scoring opportunity from dead middle of the house and we liked how he pursued the rebound after the shot. We also like how he initiated contact on the way to net front battles and how he followed through on contact after his opponents passed the puck. We feel he is 2025 NHL draft prospect who should be watched closely next preseason and through the first 25 games of the season. Comments from February 8, 2023 at the U15 Exposure Cup in Florida: Seymour is a towering presence up front for South Kent as he made his mark early around the opposing net. He utilizes his frame well and does his best work below the opposing hashmarks where he can overpower guys on pucks and for ice. In the first game of the weekend Jabez forced a turnover along the wall on a regroup play that led to a breakaway chance from the top of the circles that he was able to finish. Seymour was strong at times but soft at others. On the faceoff dot he would use his force and body to lean into the center and get help from a supporting winger to get possession. Seymour was not credited with an assist but in a late game situation against the Reapers he was at the net front jamming away at a loose puck that his linemate was able to finish. Grade: B
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images