| Noah Patenaude | Saint John Sea Dogs | QMJHL | L | G | 6’1″ | 179 | Saint John Sea Dogs | 2021 | Neuchâtel, SUI | 2002 | 2021-2022: C |
After having identical save percentages of 0.886% for his first two years in the QMJHL, Patenaude currently has a save percentage of 0.914% for the first quarter of his third season. It is an obvious evaluation, but he is an athletic goalie who is at his best when he is challenging shooters from the top of his crease. Over the past few years the times when we’ve seen him having troubles occurs when he is sitting back in his net being passive and waiting rather than baiting the shooters into poor decisions. We like his lateral quickness and like his ability to kick his legs out to the side while having the hip flexibility to keep his leg pads facing the shooter rather than having his toe towards the ceiling. Standing only 6’1″ Patenaude does not have the prototypical frame that other draft eligible goalies will have, but we feel his athleticism and year over year improvement will make professional teams take a longer look.
| Charles Savoie | Saint John Sea Dogs | QMJHL | L | LW | 6’2″ | 174 | Saint John Sea Dogs | 2019 | St. Eustache, QC | 2003 | 2021-2022: C |
The 2022 NHL Draft will be the January 2003’s second time eligible for the draft. Savoie is big strong left shot forward who’s frame and straight forward game may be better suited for professional hockey. In the offensive zone he is very good at protecting the puck with one hand on his stick while a defender is on his back making quick short touch passes and then using his powerful stride to jump beat the defenders to the valuable ice. We like his ability to one-time pucks while in traffic having multiple notes about his foot work and athletic ability to move laterally as he adjusts to passes that are not directly in his wheel house. We feel Savoie’s deep knee skating base will allow him to carry more weight allowing him to feel comfortable at close to 200 pounds and the added strength will aid in his power forward game.
Quebec Midget AAA Challenge, January 13, 2019: Savoie is an opportunistic player who knows how to get to the scoring areas and get pucks on net. Has a crafty stick, who keeps it tight to his body and works well in tight spaces. In one of the games he was not very noticeable but as soon as he got an opportunity on the power play he rifled a shot far side through a screen. His skating is average right now but for him to become a dominant scoring forward he will need to pick up his pace and power.
| Peter Reynolds | Saint John Sea Dogs | QMJHL | L | C | 5’10” | 168 | Saint John Sea Dogs | 2020 | Fredericton, NB | 2003 | 2021-2022: C |
Reynolds had a prolific minor hockey career and had a very good rookie season in the QMJHL averaging just under a point per-game (33 games / 31 points), but this year the points just aren’t coming as easily (30 games / 20 points). He is an ultra skilled undersized forward who we had with a “B+” 2021 NHL Draft grade last year and we still still feel his high skill / offensive processing of the game warrants an extended second look, but on a team as talented as the Sea Dogs we have expected more. Maybe he’s playing through an injury or maybe he’s frustrated by not being drafted last year, but he is player that we will be watching for to have a very strong second half to the season because has always kept us on the edge of our scouting seats.
QMJHL: Saint John Sea Dogs as of December 20, 2021 Season stats: Games played 30, Goals 10 Assists 10, Points 20, plus/minus +4, Penalty Minutes 6, Penalties Drawn 6, 2021 Game Averages: Time on ice per-game 15:51, Power play time 01:37, Short-handed time 0:20, Shots 4.5, %Shots on goal 54%, Puck battles 12, %Puck battles won 47%, Hits 0.4, Hits against 0.97
QMJHL: Saint John Sea Dogs at Charlottetown Islanders, October 26, 2020: This was the first time I’ve watched Reynolds play, and he left a very positive impression. He looked like an elite passer. He found open teammates with quick, one-touch passes that were on the tape every time. During the first period, he made a slick no-look, backhand pass from behind the net to an open teammate in the slot for a nice scoring chance. He reads the play very well in the offensive zone, anticipating where to be and when to be there. This resulted in Reynolds scoring Saint John’s only goal of the game, when he corralled a bouncing puck 10 feet from the crease and roofed a shot from the goal line to the top of the net. His skating also looked really good in this game. Grade: A
U16: USA Hockey Nationals, May 14, 2019: Reynolds was as good as any 2003 in the tournament; he’s a rare combination of size, IQ and skating and skill. He’s a smooth, polished skater who can protect the puck in tight and along the boards but can also breakdown defenders 1v1 and maneuver his way through traffic areas. He plays a possession style game, he’s poised with the puck and his head is always up surveying the ice to find passing lanes. He scored a great catch and shoot snap shot goal from the faceoff dot showing his powerful shot. He does a nice job disguising his release and tricks goalies often. What separates Reynolds from other top prospects in the age group is his ability to slow the game down and control the pace and the puck. He has the skating and speed to play up tempo but like elite players he can find open ice and has all the tools to make the necessary play. His hockey sense, ability to read the play and create for himself and for his teammates make him a dangerous playmaker every time he’s on the ice. He compiled a 2-1-3 line in the tournament and had more possession time than anyone on his team.
Pro-Am Junior Chowder Cup, August 4, 2018: Peter was playing up with 2002s. Not only did he not look out of place, he was a factor each shift. Not physically big but has a smooth stride which lets him get around the ice with minimal effort. He has an explosive first step which lets him jump on pucks. What makes him effective is the way he thinks the game. He processes the play quickly and gets to areas before the puck. He is smart and will stay out of the fray and then jump on loose pucks. Dangerous around the net and has the hands to make plays in tight. Will need to continue to get stronger so he can play more towards the interior of the ice, however, the ceiling is very high. Weekend Grade: A- College: BC
U14 National, April 18, 2018: Peter has a ton of tools. His stride is smooth and he has good speed and superb edges. His upper body stays still as he moves around the ice and that allows him to remain balanced and keep his eyes on plays. Started out a bit slow (he is a clear target for opponents) as did his team but picked it up in the last three games. Showed an accurate, hard shot that surprised goalies. We liked that he can slide and drag the puck on the rush to create better shooting lanes and set up screens. Played the point on the power play where he showed off accurate passing and poise. The best part of his game is that he does not have to overhandle the puck to make plays. On one assist, he received a pass on his forehand on the rush and in one motion, whipped a backhand pass cross crease, on the tape for a tap-in score. He processes his options quickly and either moves the puck to a good spot or gets it quickly to the cage. His approach will translate as he is very smart and really talented. College: BC
U16: Blue Line Elite Prep Cup, June 15, 2017:Strength, skating, skill, and smarts. The only 2003 on this list appears to have all those traits. Reynolds is elite and unusually mature is every aspect of his game. He can score, break opponents down, catch and shoot, gather rebounds, push pace, play with poise and add energy. His quick decisions impressed us most. For example, in the semi-final (after scoring two goals in the first shift); he gathered a loose puck inside his blue line. He immediately surrounded the puck and without touching it, he snapped a pass to a streaking teammate for a goal. Almost every player at his age would have tried to settle it, handle it, or carry it. He instinctually knew he didn’t have time for that and made a simple but smart play. He is special and has potential for the highest level.
U14: USA Tier 1 Nationals, April 15, 2017: The 2003 scored a goal in each game. His game is quite polished for an under aged player. He is quick to puck and used a quick stick and leverage to win battles. We really liked how he supported the puck in good spots to either make an offensive play or help out in defensive coverage. He is well rounded and talented.
STX Elite Hockey Shootout, October 28, 2016: Plays a total game from winning every draw to always being second man around puck for support, very patient with puck, great skater and extremely quick. Not to overhype a 13-year-old but he looks like a mini Jonathan Toews (also attended Shattuck). He quarterbacks their powerplay as forward as well as an ’03 birth year, pretty impressive to say the least. Grade: A+
| Josh Lawrence | Saint John Sea Dogs | QMJHL | R | F | 5’9″ | 179 | Saint John Sea Dogs | 2018 | Fredericton, NB | 2002 | 2021-2022: C |
Josh Lawrence is in his third year of NHL Draft eligibility and he continues to be an offensive force. Although we do not feel Lawrence will be drafted we feel it is worth noting that he is currently listed at 5’9″ 179lbs, which is up considerably from the 5’7″ 155lbs we had him previously listed at. To be honest he will never be expected to stand toe to toe with larger defenders in the corners, but we do feel that added height, weight and strength is something that National Leagues should be looking into because he will better be able to withstand the professional game. Offensively Lawrence is creative and can generate space out of thin air. His passes are easy to handle and he can pull pucks in from anywhere in his stick radius to make highly skilled plays. In previous years there have been concerns about his skating, but this season he looks stronger on his edges and more explosive using his outside edge to generate speed while rolling off body contact.
2021 Prospects Jr. Showcase (Fredericton), September 2021: This 2002 centerman was arguably the most dominant forward at this showcase. He is on the puck at all times and in all zones, feet always moving to be a pass option or to get to where he is a pass option. He has speed, he is quick and he has very good puck handling ability. As such he is a threat to beat defensemen with one on one skills either on the rush or coming out of an offensive corner. Often times you think he is trying to stick skill too much by taking the puck into a crowd, but most often than not he comes out with it. Josh can shoot and pass effectively and creatively. Quick shots through screens, off-time shots to catch a goalie unsuspecting, or using some sauce on forehand and backhand passes to feed linemates. Josh’s work effort was equal on the defensive side as well.
QMJHL: Saint John Sea Dogs 2020 NHL Prospects, January 15, 2020: The draft-eligible forward had a good game here for the Sea Dogs. Lawrence worked well with his line mates and worked hard away from the puck. Though his stride isn’t the prettiest, he gets around well and his work rate makes up for it. The right-shot forward takes draws though he is listed as a winger, adding an assist from a defensive zone draw win in the 1st period. Lawrence was confident in possession, particularly after he scored his team’s second goal in the 1st period, handling the puck well and carrying through open space up high in the offensive zone. His goal came on a nice shot low to the goalie’s blocker side, scoring from the slot following up the play. The smaller forward showed good energy and was effective as a penalty killer. He made smart and patient plays to get to scoring areas, logging four or five high quality chances for his team. Game Grade: A-
U16: HPHL Showcase (Plymouth, MI), February 13, 2018: Josh lived up to the hype around him as he was a playmaking machine all weekend. He gives you the initial feeling the first couple shifts that you should doubt him because he is small and not very thick. After a couple shifts it becomes obvious that he is thinking the game on a different level than most. He was drawing defenders in and delivering back door tap ins to his line mates. The harder players went at him to be physical, the more they got burned as he made them miss. COLLEGE: BOSTON UNIVERSITY
U16: Selects Academy vs NJ Avs, December 13, 2017: Josh is a very skilled smart player. One play, a long range perfect saucer pass that set up a break way was emblematic of his skill. He is always thinking and goes to the right places and is always a threat with the puck.
U16: Blue Line Elite Prep Cup, June 15, 2017: Josh has really high-end skills. His speed is elite. Even when defenders gave him space, he still was able to get to the net. If they tried to gap-up, he simply blew past them off the edge. His edges are excellent and he can accelerate as he changes direction. His stick handling is clever and creative. He has a high level of athletic intelligence and figures out how to make plays faster than everyone else at his level. He centered the best line of the best team in the tournament. He is small but that didn’t limit his game at all. We think he has some small things he can straighten up in his stride as well improvements to make in his passing. It just means he has even more upside which is scary. College: BU
U16: USA Tier 1 Nationals, April 21, 2017: Lawrence is a major NCAA/QMJHL prospect despite his size. An ’02 who took key faceoffs, ran the power play and was relied upon to generate offense throughout the week was impressive. He is as quick as they come in both his footwork and stickhandling. What is more impressive is not just his explosiveness but his ability to carry the puck and make plays at full speed. He plays an instinctual game and reacts instantly to what he see’s infront of him as opposed to having predetermined plans once he gets the puck. He’s small but rarely got hit and has a lot more power behind his shot than one would expect. Throughout the week he beat opponents with quick, shifty moves or simply blowing past them with speed. Despite his age, he was one of the most skilled players on the ice each game we saw him in. Grade: A (3gp, 1-2-3)
U16: USPHL South Division Playoffs, February 25, 2017: Josh showed some skills and hockey sense. When you add in that he is only an 2002 and not bad size for that age, he gets interesting. You would never pick him out as an ‘02 in this playoff. He fit right into things . He is pretty strong for his size and age.
| Brady Burns | Saint John Sea Dogs | QMJHL | L | C | 5’9″ | 159 | Saint John Sea Dogs | 2018 | Kentville, NS | 2002 | 2021-2022: C |
Offensively Burns is very quick and elusive in 1 on 1 situations, especially below the tops of the circles. He shows excellent poise on line rushes reading defender’s gaps which allows him attack the open ice for scoring opportunities. We like his skating posture as he shows the skating and edge work to lose defenders in tight areas and the explosiveness to attack the scoring areas after contact. We feel his ability to process the game offensively translates to professional hockey as he is very good at finding the late man and using his point man as he goes back door.
QMJHL: Saint John Sea Dogs 2020 NHL Prospects, January 15, 2020: Though smaller, listed around 5’8 and 150 pounds, Burns is an effective and highly skilled player who makes a big impact. His hands are his best asset, letting him create time and space with moves through defenders sticks, and avoiding contact with his shiftiness. The NHL CSS 188th ranked skater in North America is having a great season for the Sea Dogs, posting a point a game on average. His goal against the Drakkar was a nice one, where he jumped on a loose puck in the neutral zone, took the open space to the net, and chipped one home in tight over the goaltender’s shoulder–showcasing great hands for his 22nd of the season. He added an assist on an attempted pass to the slot. Burns’ size may be a factor, but his skilled style of play works well with his quickness and hands. Game Grade: A-
Quebec Midget AAA Showcase, January 17, 2018: Skills and hockey sense are the strong points for Brady. He is stuck on a team that doesn’t share his same talent but it’s easy to see his upside. He can skate like the wind and stickhandle in small areas. His feet are always moving and he’s able to turn on a dime. He’s very shifty and avoids hits. If he can get bigger and bulk, up the sky is the limit.
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