Game played on 11/08/2024.
General Game Notes: Neutral Zone evaluated the 2004 players from each team in this QMJHL game between Shawnigan and Gatineau. Grades are for this game only and relative to other players in the contest.
Julien Paille (LW, L, 6’0″, 200, Gatineau Olympiques, 09/10/2004)
Grade: B
Comments: Julien started the season with Baie Comeau with a 53-point season in 2023-24. A late pick in 2020 by Gatineau, he has played almost 100 QMJHL games, averaging .72 points per game. He played well on an early power play in this game with mobility and excellent puck support. His head was up, and he had soft hands on hard puck passes. Julien changed speed and slipped by a defender to enter the zone and quickly made a back diagonal pass and a chance for Boisselle. Paille snagged a puck off the wall with his backhand and followed with a quick shot on goal. He was equally effective with both sides of his blade. Paille played his off-wing for a few shifts and handled passes softly with his backhand. The 2004 played quickly with speed in open ice. He won pucks on the wall and looked dangerous in transition where he processed his options quickly and made slick passes at top speed. He played on the penalty kill and power play while riding Gatineau’s top line with 2005 Julien Parent and fellow 2004 Jeremie Minville. His ability to change direction and collect pucks was excellent. His edges were sharp, and he made an effort on the backcheck. Combining a sharp stick, physicality, leverage and compete, he won puck battles. His Plus-Minus stats are not good, but we saw a few issues with his ability to help in his end and his effort anywhere on the ice. A polished passer who made smart offensive reads.
Taos Jordan (D, L, 5’11”, 190, Gatineau Olympiques, 03/29/2004)
Grade: B
Comments: Taos played his off side paired with Tampa Bay draft pick Jan Golicic. Jordan did not complicate things as he made short passes, chipped pucks out and deep, and made intelligent decisions at both blue lines. He played on the power play, shooting to screens and tips and working a high cycle. Jordan created a few zone entries with slick edgework and poise with possession. His lateral movement was rapid, and he stopped the rush with his body and stick in concert and made keeps at the offensive blue. Aware and well-positioned in his zone, he did not have to go far to defend. His first step was quick and closed off time and space well. Taos made quick bump passes in transition. His gaps were tight and his stick was quick. He his his poke well. End of game type defender with little flash but a solid approach and steady influence on the game. He could fit in any lineup up and down the depth chart.
Jeremie Minville (LW, L, 6’0″, 190, Gatineau Olympiques, 04/08/2004)
Grade: B+
Comments: Jeremie wore the ‘C’ for Gatineau and currently leads the team in scoring with 14 goals and 23 points. Last season, he led the team with 79 points. His game was fast and rugged, and Jeremie was used in every situation. He played both wings and was a force on the forecheck. He played strong and with some bite as he pinned Shawnigan players on the wall and gained possession. He could play in tough areas and showed skill and pace in space. Minville made two pancake hits and was too much to handle near the net for defenders at times. The Drummondville native blocked shots and was on his point men quickly. Our NHL Scouts noted Jeremie as one of the most physical players in the league with 2.25 hits per game and his improvement from year two to last season and this season is noticeable. He is trending upward. A key piece on a top team. Jeremie got pucks off the wall, seldom turned it over and was tough to defend near the net. He can play anywhere up and down a roster at the NCAA level.
Isaac Menard (D, L, 5’10”, 175, Shawnigan Cataractes, 04/08/2004)
Grade: B+
Comments: However, in previous viewings, we noticed Manard kept tight gaps on his opponents when they were on the rich or working the offensive zone. He played with a strong stick and won pucks on the wall and along the offensive blue line. Menard had quick hands to carve through traffic and snap quick passes and shots. He could lead the rush and against Gatinueu, earlier in the year, he led the rush, drove centrally, and sifted a backhand pass to his winger, who had excellent positioning near the dot. His IQ was high and he anticipated plays quickly. Isaac wore the ‘A’ for his second year and averaged just over a point a game in 223 QMJHL tilts. He played with confidence and intelligence. He is a player who can help an NCAA team.
Louis-Philippe Fontaine (C, L, 5’9″, 205, Shawnigan Cataractes, 08/12/2004)
Grade: B-
Comments: In 238 QMJHL games, Louis-Philippe has averaged .70 points per game. The splits between goals and assists are even, averaging a point per game this season. Fontaine played the left wing and used his sturdy frame to protect pucks and win battles along the boards. He held ice at the net front on the power play. He quickly jumped to pucks at an average pace in space. The 2004 killed penalties and used an active stick and decent anticipation to defend shorthanded. He was versatile and could be used in any situation. Fontaine made several heavy hits on the wall and was unafraid of contact. He dragged a puck in the slot, waited, and pumped a low shot that just missed. His experience showed in all three zones and his game had some bite. He can score and distribute and lead by example.
Antoine Michaud (D, R, 6’0″, 202, Shawnigan Cataractes, 03/24/2004)
Grade: A-
Comments: Antoine moved well at about 6′ and 200 lbs. The RD played on the power play, where he picked up an assist as he shot to a tip, and on the penalty kill, he held the blue line and made crisp clears. His touches were soft, and he supported his partner well on breakout and transition chances. Michaud stayed square to defend with firm edges and a long, strong stick. He made direct, indirect, saucer, and stretch passes with his head up. His skating was balanced, and his mobility was good enough to evade forecheckers. He was not an elite puck carrier, but he was capable. Antoine did protect possession and used leverage well on the wall. He scanned plays on the offensive blue line and made some intelligent steps. Michaud made a big block on the penalty kill to stop an odd-man rush. The puck went low, and Antoine quickly moved to bump a Gatineau player off the puck and clear it. He ate quality minutes and was effective on both sides of the puck. He played smart hockey and never was in trouble or out of position. He had some snarl and skill. Michaud is an intriguing player in his last year in the QMJHL.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images