| Lorenzo Canonica | Shawnigan Cataractes | QMJHL | L | C | 5’11” | 179 | Shawinigan Cataractes | 2020 | Lugano | 2003 | 2021-2022: C+ |
Although listed at 5’11” 179 pounds Canonica shows the core strength and powerful lower half to protect the puck for extended periods of time while cycling. We like his willingness to attack a defender directly on zone entries and then spin to skate backwards as he protects the puck to locate teammates who are in the second wave of the attack. Canonica plays with a prepared stick, has a smooth firs touch and we are really impressed to one-time poor passes. We feel his hand strength and heavy stick make him a threat to generate transition and offensive opportunities from all three zones. He is currently killing penalties for Shawinigan (1:10per-game) and we feel this is an area that he will continue to do in professional hockey because of his awareness and anticipation. For the 2021 NHL Draft we had Canonica rated as our 117th draft prospect earning a “B-” National League draft grade.
QMJHL: Shawinigan Cataractes as of December 23, 2021 Season stats: Games played 32, Goals 11 Assists 16, Points 27, plus/minus +1, Penalty Minutes 12, Penalties Drawn 7, 2021 Game Averages: Time on ice per-game 18:00, Power play time 3:12, Short-handed time 01:10, Shots 3.8, %Shots on goal 60%, Face-off % 51%, Puck battles 14, %Puck battles won 52%, Hits 0.63, Hits against 0.66
QMJHL: Chicoutimi Sagueneens at Shawinigan Cataractes, March 27, 2021: Canonica led the Shawinigan attack, picking up three assists in the win. His nicest set-up came on the team’s first goal. He received an outlet pass at his own blue line, then raced past a pair of Chicoutimi defenders to lead a two-on-one into the offensive zone. Canonica looked shot the whole way, but then slid a pass to a wide open Justin Bergeron, who tapped it home to give Shawinigan a 1-0 lead. He looked like a solid two-way player in this game, and consistently made good decisions with the puck. Rating: A
QMJHL: Shawinigan Cataractes at Quebec Remparts, March 23, 2021: Displayed a quick and accurate one-timer while setting up in the slot on the power play. However, just as noticeable in this game was a lack of commitment defensively, with Canonica doing a couple of fly-bys in the defensive zone instead of engaging Quebec puck carriers. Rating: C+
| Angus Booth | Shawnigan Cataractes | QMJHL | L | D | 6’1″ | 176 | Charlottetown Islanders | 2020 | Montreal, QC | 2004 | 2021-2022: B- |
Booth is a smooth skating confident defenseman. Defensively he is strong on his feet, has a very active stick that he has a knack for getting on cross ice aerial passes and an explosive first step that he uses to take away time and space in an instant. When an opposing forward delays on the mid-wall or stutter steps after zone entry Booth has the patience and quickness to explode into their ice to create turnovers. He is a balanced skater who does not lunge or lead with his head, instead his hips are low which leads to his powerfully smooth lateral mobility. Offensively Booth changes his stick angle to manipulate or open passing lanes and he can one touch bouncing pucks with ease to an open teammate. As he matures he will need to develop a quicker release from the point, but he consistently hits the net and generates rebounds. In professional hockey we feel he has the awareness and skating ability to contribute to both special team’s units. We feel Angus Booth is a player who’s draft stock will rise considerably as the 2021-22 season progresses.
QMJHL: Shawinigan Cataractes as of December 23, 2021 Season stats: Games played 33, Goals 3 Assists 21, Points 24, plus/minus 5, Penalty Minutes 22, Penalties Drawn 3, 2021 Game Averages: Time on ice per-game 21:51, Power play time 2:54, Short-handed time 01:10, Shots 3.8, %Shots on goal 60%, Face-off % 51%, Puck battles 14, %Puck battles won 52%, Hits 0.63, Hits against 0.66
2004s: Ville de Saguenay CCM Midget AAA Challenge, February 10, 2020: Angus is a fantastic passer and is a tremendous asset on breakouts. Passes with anticipation and is patient. He can buy himself time without forcing passes into tight situations. He uses his stick well defensively to shut down plays and keep attackers to the perimeter. Intense player, battles hard, and is not afraid to take a hit when battling. Grade B
| Lou-Felix Denis | Shawnigan Cataractes | QMJHL | R | D | 5’10” | 165 | Rouyn-Noranda Huskies | 2019 | Farnham, QC | 2003 | Not yet rated |
After playing zero games during the Covid 2020-21 season the offensively minded Denis is adjusting to the QMJHL quite well. The rookie left shot defender is averaging 11:59 in total ice time per game including 1:42 while on the power play. He is strong on his feet and shows explosiveness when making body contact with opponents. For a career after Major Junior hockey we feel Denis will need to continue working on the consistency of his first pass as well as continuing to develop his foot speed.
| Isaac Menard | Shawnigan Cataractes | QMJHL | L | D | 5’9″ | 159 | Shawinigan Cataractes | 2019 | Trois-Rivières, QC | 2004 | 2021-2022: C |
Menard is a smooth skating undersized defenseman who is not afraid to take chances. It was not that long ago that a 5’9″ fleet footed skilled defenseman would never be considered for a professional career, but in today’s game puck possession and transition are the game. Menard has incredible poise with the puck, feeling no pressure when an opposing forward is bearing down on him at full speed and will think nothing of showing off his edgework to spin himself out of harms way. Defensively is where he will need to continue gaining patience when away from the puck and playing with his head on a swivel. In defensive one on one situations Menard uses his footwork and strong stick to establish body position create turnovers and loose pucks. We feel Menard will not end up on many National League draft boards, but we do feel that he will earn development camp invites.
2004s: Ville de Saguenay CCM Midget AAA Challenge, February 10, 2020: Menard is a smaller defender who really needs to add size and strength to his game. He has good hands, showed a trust in his backhand passing, and moves the puck well. He avoids forecheck pressure well with his elusiveness and is not afraid to use stick skills to beat a forechecker. There is some real potential in his game. One of the most mobile defenseman in the tournament who has a great combination of agility and quick feet. Although undersized, he’s not afraid to retrieve the puck in his own zone and quickly turn up ice. Isaac has a knack of spinning and avoiding the forecheck. He should continue to work on getting more shots on net from the point. Grade B+
2004s: Eastern Exposure Cup, November 7, 2018: Menard showed a great compete. He showed signs of being able to handle the puck and get it up the ice. Had a nice physical presence and was not afraid to throw his body around to break up plays. Solid D man that can play on both sides of the puck. Grade: B-
Blue Line Elite Prep Cup, June 13, 2018: Menard spent the previous season going up against U16 players and it showed here. He has average size at this age but he made good decisions routinely in his own end. We saw him take smart angles to cut off rushers and use his stick to break up multiple plays with nifty poke checks. He has the instincts to jump up on a pass and intercept the puck to take it the other way. SImply, he patrolled his zone very effectively, and he can add more to that resume as he continues to grow.
| Alexis Bonefon | Shawnigan Cataractes | QMJHL | L | LW | 6’0″ | 161 | Cape Breton Eagles | 2020 | Saint Jean sur Richelieu, QC | Not yet rated |
Bonefon is lanky left wing who is still adjusting to the offensive side of the puck while playing in major junior (6 points in 31 games), but he is making his presence felt as a penalty killer where he is averaging over two minutes per game. Bonefon has a powerful stride and a wide skating base that allows him to pressure loose pucks without hesitation. We feel he will not be drafted, but there is no doubt his attention to detail while shorthanded bodes well for a solid two-way game as he continues to mature.
2004s: Ville de Saguenay CCM Midget AAA Challenge, February 10, 2020: Bonefon is a quick skater with a matching set of quick hands. He is a gritty forward who challenges defensemen on the rush and in the corners. He is reliable defensively getting pucks out and picking up his man and also showed the ability to join the rush up ice. He showed some real value to his team on the penalty kill where he was first up on most short handed situations. He has a good stop and start work ethic and is great at getting into shot lanes and frustrating defensemen. Very high hockey IQ who holds true value to his team. Grade B+
| Jacob Lafontaine | Shawnigan Cataractes | QMJHL | L | C | 6’0″ | 183 | Shawinigan Cataractes | 2020 | Trois-Rivieres, QC | 2004 | Not yet rated |
Lafontaine is a hard working forward who will give the team an honest effort every night. He’s willing to block shots, play the body and in general do whatever he can to help his team win. He is a player who has never had gaudy eye popping numbers at the lower levels, but it seems as though he has consistently been a leader and in our viewings we are not surprised by that.
U16: Team Quebec Camp, August 17, 2019: Dangerous below the goal line is where Lafontaine does most of his damage. Whenever the team needs a spark or some momentum Lafontaine always seemed to provide energy to get his team/linemates going. Makes crafty plays down low which frees up space for him to take one to the net and try and jam it in. Has a solid presence in front of the net as well making shots from the point dangerous. Focusing on his skating, specifically his first couple of strides, will allow him to create even more time and space by beating defenders clean on one on one situations.
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