| Jakub Hujer | Rouyn-Noranda Huskies | QMJHL | L | C | 6’3″ | 194 | Rouyn-Noranda Huskies | 2021 | Praha, CZE | 2004 | 2021-2022: C+ |
There is a lot to like about the 6’3″ Czech’s game as he continues to adjust to major junior hockey. Yes it is obvious that he is long and lanky, but we feel Hujer uses his long arms and reach to his advantage on both sides of the puck, not just on the offensive side. In the defensive zone he consistently plays stick on puck while trying to end the cycle, yet is not afraid to use a subtle kidney cross check to change an opponent’s momentum to then keep them contained in the corner. He also shows good leg drive through contact while pinning opponents to the wall or while clearing shooting lanes for his goalie. In offensive transition Hujer has a smooth first touch on both his forehand and back hand. His attacks the middle before dishing wide to his linemates and then continues to the net as a strong middle drive. In the long run we are excited about his skating posture and glide as we feel he can carry an additional 15 pounds of muscle and be an even more effective two-way center in professional hockey. Hujer is a player we will watch closely over the next few months.
| Daniil Bourash Bourosh | Rouyn-Noranda Huskies | QMJHL | R | C | 6’1″ | 181 | Rouyn-Noranda Huskies | 2021 | Minsk, BLR | 2021-2022: C |
Bourosh is an offensively talented Belarussian right shot forward who is mostly playing on the left side for Rouyn-Noranda. He plays with his eyes up looking to move the puck quickly and then jump into the open ice created by the movement. He has the edge control to stop on a dime and the quickness to then accelerate from the standstill past opposing defenders. As you would expect, Bourosh has the ability to open his hips and fire one-timers from his off wing. The passes do not need to be perfect for him to hit the net. On a team that has a range of plus minus from +10 to -12, the offensive minded Bourosh is -1 (as of 11/1/21).
| Dyllan Gill | Rouyn-Noranda Huskies | QMJHL | R | D | 6’2″ | 181 | Rouyn-Noranda Huskies | 2020 | Riverview, NB | 2004 | 2021-2022: C |
Gill is a 6’2″ right shot defenseman who is already an assistant captain for the Huskies. Offensively he keeps things very simple by choosing to move the puck quickly in transition and then jump into the play as a secondary option. Defensively he plays with tight gaps and can move laterally to pinch off a line rush without needing to cross his feet. Gill easily plays over twenty minutes per game and is a key contributor on both the Huskie’s power play and penalty kill units. We love his willingness to block shots. We feel the combination of his length and fearless nature when blocking shots will give him an opportunity to play penalty kill minutes in professional hockey. Although he might not be the fastest player on the ice, we feel his skating base and stride length will allow him to gain speed and quickness as he continues to mature and develop strength through off ice training.
| Donovan Arsenault | Rouyn-Noranda Huskies | QMJHL | R | RW | 6’2″ | 201 | Rouyn-Noranda Huskies | 2020 | Richmond, PE | 2004 | 2021-2022: C |
Aresenault has a National Hockey league frame right now and as well as having the powerful stride to go along with it. Offensively we feel he can cause issues for opposing defensemen when he quickly moves the puck to his linemates and then hustles to the net as a strong middle drive. He has shown a quick and prepared stick around the cage and he certainly has the strength to gain body positioning for secondary scoring opportunities. In one on one situations Aresenault is not a consistent threat to dangle, but he can make defenders miss judge his speed or bounce off of him as he drives to the scoring area. In defensive transition he back checks through the middle applying back pressure, but still shows the awareness to look for the activating defenseman or late wave to the attack. Arsenault is a player who generates scoring opportunities by getting to the net. We have seen him have consistent grade “A” opportunities, but he has failed to bury them in the QMJHL yet. He is probably a long shot to be drafted in 2022, but with his track record of scoring goals at lower levels and his NHL power forward size package Aresenault is player we would be tracking closely.
| Leighton Carruthers | Rouyn-Noranda Huskies | QMJHL | L | C | 5’11” | 209 | Rouyn-Noranda Huskies | 2020 | Upper Tantallon, NS | 2021-2022: C |
Carruthers is a powerfully built 5’11” 210 pound forward with explosive straight ahead speed who can sometimes overwhelm his QMJHL opponents when they hear him coming. We feel he is at his best when he has a bulldog mentality and simply outworks his opponents for his offensive opportunities or to shut the cycle down while he is the low forward. His straight line speed allows him to be a very effective F1 forechecker as he consistently wins races for loose pucks to generate cycling and opportunities. Carruthers has a quick release and he does not need to be in perfect body positioning to fire a bullet. There are times he tries to be too cute while digging along the walls for pucks which leads to him being trapped on the wrong the side of the puck and scrambling to recover. Again, we feel he is at his best when he outworks his opponents and uses his natural strength to win battles and have a positive impact on the game.
| Louis-Philippe Fontaine | Rouyn-Noranda Huskies | QMJHL | L | C | 5’9″ | 181 | Rouyn-Noranda Huskies | 2020 | Chambly, QC | Long Term Player Watch |
Although Fontaine may be an undersized left shot center, he is very powerful with a nice shoulder width skating base that allows him to have an excellent center of balance through contact. His stride is fluid and he has an explosive cross-under to create space as a puck carrier or to stay with an opponent when defending. We like that he uses a long stick which he is able to disguise while forechecking to create turnovers or loose pucks. In the defensive zone Fontaine tries to use puck anticipation and body control to stay on the net side of the puck while defending he cycle or while trying to box out on point shots. Although he does not play a ton while short handed (0:53 per game average), we feel that he has the discipline to be a quality defender in the QMJHL. He does contribute while on the power play (2:30 per game average) as a goal line or net front presence. Offensively he plays with pace and is more than willing to drive the net looking for high tips and rebounds. We feel he is at his best while below the goal line spinning off contact to attack the net or when competing for loose pucks below the tops of the circles. Fontaine is 200′ center who competes at both ends of the ice.
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