Rimouski had 4 notable players competing in our most recent viewing on December 4th, 2019. Including our Number 1 Rated NHL Prospect, Alexis Lafreniere, and a point per game Quebec League rookie defenseman, Isaac Belliveau, who is not eligible for the National League Draft until the 2021.
Alexis Lafreniére (5 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — A) Forward
Lafreniére is highly touted for a reason. The left shot left winger has a great skating stride, and can carry the puck at speed with ease–especially on power play breakouts and entries. He sees the game well, finding open areas and creating space with the puck, thanks in part to his hands. He has a quick release which he showcased on a power play goal, one-timed from the face-off dot that ended up being the game winner. His best asset is his vision and play making ability–he can find teammates in tight spaces and move pucks from all over the offensive zone to dangerous areas, creating scoring chances. He is heavily used on the PP, but is also a scoring threat shorthanded thanks to his smarts and speed. At this point he is our Number 1 Rated NHL Prospect. Game Grade: A-
Cole Cormier (4 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — C-) Forward
Cormier is a small but skilled forward for the Océanic. He showed his hands with a slick move on a zone entry, and attempted to make a pass to a scoring area that was broken up. He had one good win on a forecheck that he did pass to a teammate for a quality scoring chance. His assist came on a strong chip on the wall from his own end. He did have a couple of questionable passes on breakouts where he tried to get too cute, but when he has the puck on his stick and moves his feet he has good quickness and skill. Cormier is draft eligible this summer. Game Grade: B-
Adam Raska (4 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — C-) Forward
The right shot right wing for the Océanic did not accomplish a ton offensively in this outing, managing only a couple of shots on net. What stuck out was a hard-working shift on the penalty kill where he possessed the puck while a man down, and killed off valuable seconds on his own–chasing the puck down after dumping it in himself. His skating is OK–he showed good edge work with the puck, crossing over down low off the wall for his best chance of the night. He showed patience with the puck coming out of his own end and in the neutral zone, making crisp exit passes and passes to support players. Some positives for the draft eligible forward. Game Grade: B-
Isaac Belliveau (4 Star Amateur Rating, 2021 NHL Grade — B) Defense
Belliveau is a talented young defenseman for Rimouski. Averaging over a point a game, the left shot D-man has impressive poise and offensive ability for a young player. He has good feet, escaping oncoming forecheckers and also looking to get up into the play when able, joining the rush and creating odd man situations. He moves the puck well–with a good first pass from his own end, and with hard accurate passes on the PP. His assist came on a slick head-fake that he slid over to Lafreniére for a one-timer on a basically empty net on the PP. The late 2002 born D-man is draft eligible in 2021. Game Grade: B