
Game played on 12/07/2024.
Olivier Dubois (LW, L, 5’8″, 155, Sherbrooke Phoenix, 02/15/2005)
Grade: B
Comments: Olivier is a dynamic forward with excellent speed, particularly through the middle of the ice, making him a constant threat in transition. He excels at attacking the neutral zone with pace and shows the ability to change speeds effectively when carrying the puck, creating space for himself and his teammates. Olivier also possesses a powerful one-timer, which makes him a dangerous option in scoring positions. However, he needs to improve his decision-making with the puck, as he tends to skate straight ahead without assessing options. This was evident when he hesitated in a prime scoring position and missed the opportunity to capitalize. Despite this, Olivier’s quickness on loose pucks and ability to find open teammates highlight his offensive potential.
Robin Benoit (RW, R, 6’0″, 180, Sherbrooke Phoenix, 07/15/2007, Nebraska Omaha)
Grade: B
Comments: Robin is a forward with a keen sense for reading the play, often staying on the perimeter to watch and anticipate where the puck is heading. This awareness translates into a strong defensive game, as he excels at sneaking in to intercept passes and disrupt the opposition. Offensively, Robin is capable of making quick cuts with the puck, but he struggles to maintain possession when faced with physical contact. Despite this, he showcased his playmaking ability with a quick spin in the offensive zone, setting up a beautiful pass to the prime area for the go-ahead goal. While his ability to read the game is a strength, developing greater physical resilience and driving into the core areas would elevate his impact.
Olivier Lampron (C, L, 6’1″, 180, Sherbrooke Phoenix, 03/21/2007)
Grade: B-
Comments: Olivier is a forward with an excellent drive through the neutral zone, using his speed and physicality to create offensive opportunities. He’s effective at driving to the net, tying up defenders and opening up space for cross-ice passes to trailing teammates. His edgework is top-notch, allowing him to make quick, sharp cuts, and he showed great hands by pulling in on a difficult pass to create a good scoring chance. Olivier plays a physical game, and when combined with his speed, he becomes a force on the forecheck, pressuring defenders and creating turnovers. His combination of skill, work ethic, and physical presence makes him a dynamic player in both offensive and defensive situations.
Louis-Alex Tremblay (D, R, 5’9″, 175, Sherbrooke Phoenix, 02/05/2007)
Grade: B+
Comments: Louis-Alex is a defenseman who plays significant minutes on the power play, showcasing excellent puck skills and the ability to move the puck effectively. He moves fluidly with the puck, making accurate passes and demonstrating strong vision, particularly through the neutral zone. While he excels at carrying the puck through the neutral zone, he could improve at getting the puck in deep when the opportunity arises. Louis-Alex is adept at avoiding pressure from checking forwards and uses his agility to maintain possession. He hustles to hold the puck in at the blue line and makes quick, smart passes to keep the play moving. His combination of puck movement, vision, and work ethic makes him a valuable contributor on both special teams and even-strength situations
Gabriel D’Aigle (G, L, 6’4″, 220, Victoriaville Tigers, 01/29/2006)
Grade: B+
Comments: Gabriel exhibits a strong foundation in goal with several standout attributes. His ready position is slightly narrow high but complemented by a very quick blocker, allowing him to make impressive saves. He excels in post play, using his size effectively to hug the crossbar with his shoulder, leaving no room to the side. His lateral movements are exceptional, keeping his pads tight to the ice and transitioning quickly. Gabriel does an excellent job challenging shooters, coming out high to cut down angles on cross-ice passes and using his size to take away high chances while maintaining a strong butterfly to handle low shots. Despite these strengths, rebound control is an area for improvement. While his reflexes are elite, making him very difficult to beat on the first shot, rebounds often land in dangerous areas. For example, a great blocker save left a rebound in the slot, and an opponent capitalized when Gabriel dropped his glove hand cheating low. He made incredible scramble saves in tight during one sequence, stopping four quick attempts as the puck bounced around, showcasing his tenacity and athleticism. However, he occasionally gives too much space on the blocker side from the wall, leading to a high goal. Overall, Gabriel’s size, reflexes, and ability to challenge shooters make him a formidable presence in net, but refining his rebound control will elevate his game further.
Olivier Laverdiere (F, L, 6’1″, 202, Victoriaville Tigers, 08/18/2007)
Grade: C+
Comments: Olivier demonstrated good pressure down low in the offensive zone, effectively forcing a turnover, though his subsequent decision to throw the puck away undercut the opportunity. His decision-making with the puck needs improvement; after a brief cycle up high, he opted for a weak shot from the blue line instead of utilizing open ice to create a better scoring chance. However, Olivier excelled in net-front presence, proving difficult to move and displaying excellent effort. He got his stick on the puck for a redirection and followed up with a well-timed dive for a second-chance opportunity, showcasing determination and a willingness to battle in high-traffic areas.
Maddox Labre (D, L, 6’2″, 182, Victoriaville Tigers, 06/15/2007)
Grade: B-
Comments: Maddox is a dependable defenseman who plays a smart, physical game and is unafraid to take a hit to make the play. While he lacks high-end speed, he compensates with strong positional awareness and a high defensive IQ, making him effective in his own zone. Maddox displays solid puck-handling skills, as evidenced by a smart play where he cut to the deep corner, circled back, and delivered a strong pass to a streaking winger for a scoring opportunity. His physicality is a key asset, using his body effectively to take away chances and neutralize opposing players. However, his shot could use more power, as he needs to get more behind the puck to be a greater threat offensively. Additionally, Maddox must be cautious when pinching, as his lack of foot speed can make it difficult to recover if the play transitions quickly. Overall, Maddox’s intelligence, physical play, and reliability make him a valuable presence on the blue line, with room to grow in certain areas.
Robin Svancara (LW, L, 6’4″, 190, Victoriaville Tigers, 05/22/2007)
Grade: C+
Comments: Robin is a sizable forward who uses his long reach effectively to take away space and disrupt opponents, compensating for less agile footwork. While he demonstrates resilience by absorbing hits and maintaining his momentum, his play with the puck needs refinement. He tends to overhandle the puck, slowing down offensive opportunities, and his rushed passes often get intercepted across all three zones. Developing quicker decision-making and improving puck control will significantly enhance his impact on the game. Despite these challenges, Robin’s size and ability to withstand physical pressure make him a difficult player to contain when driving forward.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images