Game played on 12/13/2024.
Samuel Meloche (G, L, 6’2″, 194, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, 07/22/2007)
Grade: B+
Comments: Samuel is a goalie with solid puck-handling skills, though he needs to be more cautious when throwing pucks up the boards. He moves well laterally, but was beat high blocker on a beautiful cross-ice pass after oversliding, though his defense left him exposed on the play. He gave up another goal high blocker on a similar cross-ice pass, indicating a possible area for improvement in his positioning. Samuel displays strong pad positioning to limit rebounds, ensuring that second-chance opportunities are minimized. While he gave up a soft goal from a backhand in tight, he quickly bounced back, making several key saves shortly afterward. Samuel prefers to stop pucks with his trapper rather than catching them, but he handles rebounds effectively. His quick pads allow him to follow the puck across the crease and make solid kick saves, especially on far-side shots. With a bit more consistency in his positioning and handling of high shots, Samuel has the potential to be a reliable presence in net.
Bill Zonnon (RW, L, 6’2″, 182, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, 10/03/2006)
Grade: A-
Comments: Bill is a top-line center with a commanding presence on the ice. A big-bodied player with strong edges, he uses his size effectively, though his feet can be a bit heavy at times. He handles the puck well, showing creativity and composure, as seen in a smart play where he moved the puck up the boards and followed with a quick chip pass to a winger. Bill combines his size and a quick change of speed to find open ice on the outside of checkers, making him a versatile offensive threat. His quick snap shot from the perimeter is challenging for goaltenders to handle, and his strong backhand, demonstrated on a net drive that handcuffed the goalie, adds another dimension to his scoring ability. Bill is hard to move when parked in front of the net, creating significant challenges for defenders. Defensively, he provides excellent support for his defensemen, consistently moving to open spaces and retrieving loose pucks efficiently. His all-around game makes him a reliable and impactful player in all zones.
William Vezina (C, R, 6’4″, 181, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, 06/06/2007)
Grade: B-
Comments: William is a forward with notable resilience and offensive instincts. He needs to improve his awareness and positioning, particularly when retrieving pucks near the boards, as he put himself in a dangerous situation during one play. However, he showed toughness, quickly bouncing back after getting stitched up and returning to the ice. William displayed excellent anticipation on a stretch pass, using his reach to intercept the puck before executing a smooth move and a quick wrist shot. He demonstrates good vision and creativity with saucer passes, though they are not always accurate and could benefit from more power. With improved situational awareness and refinement in his passing, William has the potential to be a reliable playmaker.
Elliott Duguay (D, R, 6’2″, 185, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, 01/25/2007)
Grade: C+
Comments: Elliott is a right-shot defenseman with a strong sense of playmaking and vision. Despite limited ice time, he makes an impact with his precise passing and ability to read the ice effectively. A big-bodied player, Elliott prefers to distribute the puck rather than take shots, demonstrating proficiency in finding his teammates and setting up plays. While his preference for passing showcases his playmaking abilities, incorporating more shooting into his game could make him a more versatile offensive threat and keep opponents guessing. With additional ice time and a more balanced approach, Elliott has the tools to develop into a dependable two-way defenseman.
Reece Peitzsche (LW, L, 6’0″, 195, Shawnigan Cataractes, 12/08/2006)
Grade: B-
Comments: Reece is a forward who demonstrates strong offensive instincts and playmaking ability. He battles hard along the offensive zone blue line, creating space for his teammates and maintaining possession. With the puck, he moves well, keeping his head up to survey the ice and delivering fantastic passes that generate opportunities in the offensive zone. He showed a quick burst of agility to jump around a defender at the blue line, though this sequence ended in a turnover, indicating a need for better decision-making in high-pressure situations. Reece has decent speed, but his narrow and short stride limits his efficiency and endurance, which could impact his effectiveness over extended shifts. Improving his skating mechanics will allow him to maximize his potential as a dynamic offensive contributor.
Vince Elie (RW, R, 5’7″, 182, Shawnigan Cataractes, 04/05/2005)
Grade: A-
Comments: Vince is a dynamic forward with exceptional quickness and creativity. His quick feet enable him to win races to loose pucks, and he combines this speed with excellent puck skills. One standout play highlighted his incredible footwork, as he delivered a precise pass, followed by a sudden burst of speed to find open ice, capping the sequence with a perfect redirection over the blocker for a goal. Vince is highly shifty with the puck, displaying creativity in all three zones, making him a constant offensive threat. However, he shows hesitation when physicality is required, often opting for stick checks instead of engaging in body contact. Adding more physicality to his game could round out his skill set and make him an even more effective forward.
Cole Chandler (C, L, 6’2″, 176, Shawnigan Cataractes, 05/01/2007)
Grade: B-
Comments: Cole is a forward who utilizes his size and speed effectively to impact the game. He excels at using his physical attributes to create space and opportunities for his teammates. One highlight play saw him enter the offensive zone with speed, execute a quick stop, and change directions to buy himself time. He followed this up with a beautifully timed pass to a teammate cutting through the slot, setting up a backhand goal. Cole’s ability to combine his physical presence with smart decision-making and precision passing makes him a valuable offensive contributor.
Matvei Gridin (RW, L, 6’2″, 190, Shawnigan Cataractes, 03/01/2006)
Grade: B
Comments: Matvei is a forward with impressive edgework and agility for his size, showing a quick ability to change direction and stay mobile. He excels on the forecheck, using his strength and active stick effectively to create turnovers, as seen in a quick stick lift followed by a sharp pass to generate a scoring chance. His shiftiness and puck protection skills are notable, making him difficult to defend in tight areas. However, he can sometimes overcommit offensively, as demonstrated when he left his position on the penalty kill, leading to a backdoor goal. Additionally, while his hands are skilled, he occasionally traps himself in the corner without viable options. Refining his positional awareness and decision-making will elevate his game to the next level.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images