Played on Oct 15, 2025
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League
Game Played in Avenir Centre
Jacoby Weiner (G, R, 6’4″, 233, Moncton Wildcats, 06/19/2008, Harvard)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Very athletic between the pipes, Moves very well for his size, very good technique, plays a touch too deep at times, obviously wasn’t tested too much during the game vs Foreurs, but when he was he responded, Here’s a kid that needs to get even more quicker and explosive with his lateral movements to ensure he reaches his full potential at the next level, and that will come when he gets stronger and more fit. Very solid up high and has good rebound control, fights for his space, but I would like to see him challenge more at times, As the backup in Moncton he won’t see a ton of action, so it’s imperative for him to focus and be prepared for each and every opportunity and to bring it that battle element to the position and game which he possesses. Very intriguing netminding prospect with a solid future if things continue to progress and he gets stronger.
Jackson Batchilder (D, R, 6’0″, 162, Moncton Wildcats, 02/16/2008)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Jackson Batchilder In November of 2022, I saw Jackson Batchilder play for the 1st time, he was only 14, I was helping out Neutral Zone evaluate U15 AAA players at the Monctonian Challenge, This is what I wrote about the kid patrolling the blueline. He’s a Pro. It’s hard and incredibly unfair, but yesterday I saw a kid that’s going to be a pro. Sometimes you just know, if all the stars aligns and things stay the course he will be a player that plays the game we love for a long long time. The player in question was fantastic. He was one of the best natural skaters I’ve seen in a quite a long time. The way this kid handled the puck and passed the puck was truly amazing. Obviously, he needs to keep growing, maturing and developing, but my goodness gracious this kid can flat out play. I’m not going to name him, because that’s unfair for the kid and his family. Do you know what the best aspect of all of this is, the kid seems as grounded and humble as he could be. There’s zero entitlement or cockiness to his game. You can tell he loves the game, and every aspect of the position he plays. He made all the subtle plays, the difficult plays with the exact same conviction and purpose. The player knew when to pick their spots, when to be ‘the guy’ and when not to be. He just knew, which is another reason why this kid has pro potential. This kid is going to be something. Hopefully you will all get a chance to see him play, because it a was an absolute pleasure to see him apply his craft. This is what I wrote about his QMJHL Draft year, 1st impressions can be misleading, but Jackson Batchilder definitely lived up to the hype, he had a tremendous season for the Knights U18AAA logging massive minutes, probably too many minutes, he was exhausted at times, but when he stepped on the ice he always in the fight, always willing to showcase his talent, but first and foremost always tried to help his team win, he makes players around him better and that’s what makes him a special player. I still think Jackson Batchilder has pro potential, sure he will have to get stronger and quicker, but here’s a kid that gets better when challenged, he has the ability to raise his game and style of play, his adaptability is uncanny, he’s a natural. Well, a lot happened last season and wasn’t necessarily good for Batchilder, At 16, Batchilder made a Jr A team, but because of an antiquated rule within the league, he couldn’t play out of province because of his age so had to apply to Hockey Canada which definitely set back his progression. I’m still convinced this kid is going to be a player, but he just needs time to get stronger and more acclimatized to the league. He processes the game so well and is phenomenal passer of the puck, he’s made some mistakes this year like all rookie defenders would but once he gains muscle and gets bigger this kid is going to do some damage. He competes hard and is continuing to learn how to take effective lines to pucks in order to break pucks out more efficiently and how to use his edge control and skating ability to win more battles downlow, he’s made some mistakes being aggressive and trying to jump into the play which were the right plays to make, but he made them at the wrong time. Jackson Batchilder is just getting started, there’s quiet talent and Batchilder certain epitomizes that right now in his path, but I still think this kid is a pro, it’s just going to take time.
Tommy Bleyl (D, R, 5’11”, 167, Moncton Wildcats, 12/01/2007, Michigan State)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Tommy Bleyl has been the talk of the town since his arrival in Moncton, He’s a naturally gifted dynamic skater with tremendous offensive instincts and edge control. This kid makes would be forecheckers miss on a lot of occasions. Like any ‘flash and dash’ offensive D-men Bleyl will be relied on heavily to defend as well, but there’s no question he has been given a green light instantly to join the rush and chip in offensively anytime he can. It’s all about efficiently and effectiveness when looking at ultra talented offensive defenders and Bleyl is definitely classified within that category. His addition and potential to the Wildcats D group is very intriguing, Bleyl is certainly a player to watch moving forward. Comparison’s are difficult and sometimes very unfair, but Brian Rafalski comes to mind when I watch Bleyl play the game and position, however, Bleyl needs to be more aware of his gap control and show more urgency on the defensive side of the puck. Ironically he needs to step up and follow the play with more consistency to provide support but also to ensure his spacing and gap is accurate on oppositional regroups and attacks. Obviously, Bleyl must get a lot stronger, tougher and nastier to play against in order to play and carve a niche out in the pro game. There’s no question Tommy Bleyl has pro potential and it doesn’t take too long to identify that when he takes the puck and goes, but it’s all about the red line and in for Bleyl and how he will handle forecheck pressure and the physicality of the position at the Q level. He has to understand he can’t go shoulder to shoulder with bigger stronger players in certain sequences in one on one battles and when he angles, He also needs to work on closing in on players better and have better stick positioning from below the dots in his own zone. Bleyl projects to be a mid 3rd round NHL pick based on his instincts, hockey sense and skating ability, but defending will be one area he will have to continue to take pride in moving forward.
Rian Chudzinski (RW, R, 6’1″, 191, Moncton Wildcats, 12/30/2007, Boston University)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Rian Chudzinski has pure athleticism running through his veins and it shows every time he steps on the ice. When I saw him play in one of the final preseason games, I wanted to see him engage more and get to the middle of the ice. That takes experience, grit and confidence especially given the fact that he played prep school hockey a season ago, and again that’s where the athleticism and natural ability comes into play, Chudzinski is the type of player that is smart enough and skilled enough to play up and down any line up, but he has the uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time offensive and has all the tools in his arsenal offensive to score goals when he gets there, He might not have the hardest shot, but he just finds ways to score, This kid is the epitome of ‘quietly talented’ player as I’ve seen in quite some time. He’s not flash or dash, he just brings compete and grit every shift, and he never backs down from a battle in all three zones. He’s a very good skater with solid edge control, and he definitely possesses another gear at any time he needs it, He has great hands in tight areas and is a very underrated passer of the puck, He makes good things happen all over the ice, He missed some time early this season because of mono, but in his first game back scored two goals and was all over it and around it all night long. The puck has a weird way of finding him due in large part to his smarts and natural ability to process the game. Whenever he has the puck on his stick things seem to slow down for him, he’s very creative and is always two plays ahead. He will have to continue to get stronger and quicker which is well within his reach and another scary aspect of his game is that he’s still growing and has a great frame in which to grow. He’s almost 6’1 and 190 now, but I project that he will be at least 6’3 and over 200 by the time he graduates from the league.
Kuzma Voronin (RW, L, 5’11”, 173, Moncton Wildcats, 07/27/2006, Maine)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Voronin will be a problem for the opposition all season long, he’s a fiery elusive two-way winger that’s probably best described as a ‘skilled shit disturber’ that plays on the edge and doesn’t back down from anything. He’s been known to cross that line at times by taking a few ill-advised penalties so far, but it appears it’s all business for now when comes to his style of play which is great to see. Voronin is a highly skilled scoring winger that is fantastic in open ice and can really create scoring chances with his speed to the outside and isn’t scared to go to the middle, at times he has lost puck battles along the halfboards due in large part to potentially underestimating the strength of other players which is part of the adjustment period for any player new to the league. Getting to the middle and being able to finish is well within Voronin’s skill set, but he has also missed some quality scoring chances in tight and has a tendency to hang onto pucks a touch to long whether to make plays or to try to get shots through. He has a wicked release and can get it away very quickly and in full stride. It’s going to be very interesting to see how he continues to handle the physicality and other teams focusing on trying to shut him down. There’s no question he works hard, but I would like to see him back check with more regularity and take better routes tracking back to pucks which is only going to help him recoil and go on the attack. His speed breaks players down and he has the incredible knack at beating players one on one but will need to continue to set the wall and get to the net and finish when he gets there. He will no doubt garner attention from NHL teams based strictly on his individual skill set, but it’s the intangibles that he will continue to bring that might get him drafted in June.
Carl-Otto Magnusson (D, L, 6’7″, 233, Moncton Wildcats, 01/11/2006)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Magnusson didn’t play against the Foreurs because of injury, but I’ve seen him play on 4 separate occasions so far this season, Big body defender is understatement when you consider what Carl Otto Magnusson brings to the table for the Wildcats. At 6’7 Magnusson moves very well and has great edge control for a player of his stature. He has adjusted well to the speed and pace of play at the Q level, Like any player especially defender adjusting he as gotten beaten to the outside at times, but has improved that area with better stick positioning and posture while backward skating, he will have to continue to play on his toes, work on his pivots and explosiveness if he wants to play at the next level. He has good gap control and positional awareness, he understands the importance of leverage and angling especially below the dots and hasn’t got beat to the net or certain spots in the defensive zone early which also speaks to the way he processes the game and position. He certainly has a mean streak to his game and isn’t scared to mix it up or ramp up the physicality when needed. He possesses a very good first pass and has good instincts in order to jump into the play and support the rush when needed.
Niko Tournas (RW, R, 6’2″, 199, Moncton Wildcats, 02/17/2006, New Hampshire)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: As soon as the Wildcats announced Tournas as a pick it seemed a touch odd given the fact he was a 2006 born player, but obviously he was in high demand across the Q so that’s why they drafted and signed him almost instantly, There’s no question Tournas can shoot the puck and score, but what this kid has done in a very short time in Moncton is truly outstanding. He’s lost close to 10 pounds and has worked incredibly hard on skating which just might see him get drafted as 2006 in the NHL. Tournas thinks the game very well and has the innate ability to get into the quiet areas of the ice in the offensive zone and has a very heavy accurate shot, surprisingly he’s missed some quality opportunities so I’m not sure if he rushed things or perhaps was overthinking it during those sequences. He has pro release and can shoot it from anywhere and his shot is the type of shot that generates a ton of rebounds. He’s very good in traffic and makes subtle plays in traffic below the dots in the offensive zone which creates time and space for himself and his linemates. He definitely has some nastiness and jam to his game as well, and when Desnoyers comes back to the line one would assume he might find himself up there again only if skating continues to progress, but Tournas has already become the Wildcats trigger man on their top PP unit. Again, his role might change with the return of Desnoyers, but he’s solidified himself as a bonafide top 6 forward on the Wildcats and sniper in the Q. It’s going to be very interesting to see how he handles teams keying in on him over the next 10 or 15 games because that attention is warranted given his current stat line and ability to put the puck in the back of the net.
Vincent Moreau (G, L, 6’1″, 173, Val d’Or Foreurs, 03/31/2008)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: You can tell a lot about a player when they face adversity. I learned a lot who Vincent Moreau is when he came into the game vs the Wildcats in relief. It doesn’t take too long to tell this kid absolutely loves the position and game. His enthusiasm and athleticism jumped off the page and at 6-0 he came in and shut the door making countless big timely saves. Moreau might not be on the radar of many scouts right now especially given his backup role with the Foreurs, but this kid was impressive. He possesses great lateral movement, very active and athletic in there, good technique, challenges incredibly well, he’s a battler, fights for space through traffic, he’s way out on some occasions, which is touch scary at times, but he’s ultra confident in his movements and his skating, Has a tendency to go down early on some sequences, Moreau just needs to trust it and be a touch more patient with his technique and good things will happen. The numbers right now might not look too good for Moreau, but there’s something there, and the way this kid approaches the game and battles speaks volumes.
Jacob Gouchie (D, R, 6’1″, 206, Val d’Or Foreurs, 03/20/2008)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: When the puck dropped vs the Wildcats, the Foreurs weren’t ready to play, Jacob Gouchie was and was arguably about the only defender that was ready to compete that night. It doesn’t take you very long to realize that Jacob Gouchie has pro potential, a matter of fact he oozes it. Nevertheless, at times he struggles processing things which is something that has followed him throughout the ranks. I thought his reads were much better as the game went on, but at times he still has a tendency to rush things over think things in certain situations when the puck is on his stick. I’ve seen this kid a lot since he was 15. At the start of his U18 AAA career he struggled passing the puck in full speed, but his ability to make plays in all three zones is one area that he really progressed in throughout that season and I think you’re going to continue to see that area of his game progress at the Q level as he gains even more experience and confidence. Gouchie’s lines and angling in the D zone and his ability to close in on his opponents has drastically improved over the past two years. His gap and stick positioning in all three zones has improved as well, but is another area of his game that will continue to progress to garner more attention from scouts. It’s easy to criticize or be harsh on a prospect like Gouchie especially when you see him a ton. It’s easy to nitpick small aspects of his game, but this kid is a natural when it comes to other aspects of the game and we all know that’s the stuff that is incredibly valuable. He doesn’t backdown from anything or anyone and competes like hell out there and would do just about anything for a teammate or what it takes to win. Gouchie can transport the puck and has that ability, but that’s not his role with the Foreurs, so now he has to refine his game and make sure he makes the right decisions and plays at the right times and not force things, but here’s a kid that was dynamic at the U18 AAA level and could take the puck and go at any time, You would be hard pressed to find a kid that works harder or wants it more than Gouchie. This kid already has a pro release from the point, I mean he absolutely destroys the puck and can score from anywhere in the offensive zone, but again that’s certainly not his role with the Foreurs. Arguably, Jacob Gouchie probably has the top 5 releases I’ve seen since starting in the scouting business in the fall of 2016. It’s going to be very intriguing where this kid ends up, but it would be very interesting to see Gouchie play the wing given his natural ability, toughness and assertiveness. Right now he’s playing 4/5 role with the Foreurs and every prospect/player develops differently and some take more time than others, but Gouchie is the type of player that could be converted into a power forward/winger very easily.
Benjamin Cossette-Ayotte (D, R, 6’1″, 186, Val d’Or Foreurs, 01/03/2008)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: The Foreurs didn’t come ready to play versus the Wildcats and unfortunately neither did Benjamin Cossette Ayotte which was disappointing to see given how talented of player and defender he really is. He’s a very solid skater, has great puck skills, potential to be a solid two and half zone defender at the Q level and beyond, but just didn’t play with a ton of urgency and didn’t push the pace vs the Cats. As the game progressed, he did show signs of possessing all of the tools we are accustomed of seeing, but it’s just another great example of a player that had a tough night and that as a scout you shouldn’t base a projection on a single viewing. It’s going to be very interesting to see how he handles the rest of the season and being the ‘guy’ on the backend for the Foreurs. He has the potential to be a great distributor of the puck and not a big transporter of it, but projects to be a very strong two-way presence, he does take good routes to pucks on retrieval, Solid gap control, He will have to get quicker and more explosive if he wants to have a impact at the next level. He is very calm, cool and collected with the puck on his stick and perhaps that appeared at times during that game as not being urgent enough with it. Instead of pushing he tried to control things, so perhaps he would be better served just relying on his instincts and hockey IQ to kickstart the transition game.
Jordan Labelle (LW, L, 6’4″, 197, Val d’Or Foreurs, 05/07/2007)
Game Rating
B+
Jordan Labelle is a physical presence on the ice with excellent skating ability for his size, showcasing his potential as a power forward. He plays with an edge and finishes checks with intensity, demonstrating good decision-making and puck skills. While he may not be a prolific scorer, Labelle’s reliability and ability to process the game make him a valuable asset to any lineup. A strong passer with a heavy, accurate shot, he can generate energy and grit, bringing intangibles that elevate his team’s performance. However, Labelle will need to focus on improving his mobility and agility, particularly in tight spaces, if he hopes to reach his full potential at the professional level.
1 Viewing
Comments: Jordan Labelle was a rare bright spot for the Foreurs vs the Cats and he competed hard upfront all night. He’s prototypical power forward, skates well for his size, will have to work on explosiveness and agility in tight areas of the ice to ensure he reaches his full potential at the Q level, hunts pucks on the forecheck, nasty to play against which is great to see, good stick in all three zones, thinks the game well and has good puck skills, Won’t light the world on fire when it comes to the offensive side of the game, but is incredibly reliable and thinks it well enough to play up and down any line up, good passer, north and south type of player that can definitely generate energy and grit to any line up, Labelle is the type of player that brings tons of value when it comes to the intangibles of the game and what it takes to win hockey games at the next level, strong heavy accurate release, will have to work on getting his shot off a little quicker at the next level.
Philippe Veilleux (C, L, 5’9″, 176, Val d’Or Foreurs, 03/26/2007)
Game Rating
B
Philippe Veilleux possesses exceptional speed, puck skills, and competitiveness, making him an elite winger with a strong two-way game. He excels at driving offensive opportunities through his forecheck and precision on the ice. His high hockey IQ allows him to think the game well, always playing at top speed. Veilleux’s shot is particularly impressive, allowing him to score goals and silence crowds. As a coachable player, he can thrive in any situation, from scoring roles to penalty killing duties. Despite his size, he has a “give a shit” factor that sets him apart, making him a confident and formidable opponent who will continue to excel at the highest levels of hockey.
1 Viewing
Comments: Yet another Foreurs player that didn’t standout and had a very tough outing vs the Wildcats was Phillipe Veilleux. This kid is highly skilled gritty two-way winger with great speed, who usually doesn’t shy away from the dirty areas of the ice to create time and space for himself, but something was missing vs the Cats which was unfortunate especially given the fact that he was passed over a year ago. Veilleux can really drive offensive opportunities with his speed and precision on the forecheck, which was lacking, obviously there was spirts of it during the game, but not nearly enough jump and jam. Everyone is well aware of what he can bring to the table, but I just didn’t see enough of it from Veilleux. The points will come and take care of itself, but if Veilleux wants to drafted this year he will have to bring even more grit, compete and consistency to his game. Usually his ‘give a shit’ factor is off the charts, it wasn’t present vs the Cats and at the end of the day, scouts at the NHL level, want to see how players react when they don’t have their ‘A game’ and Veilleux’ ‘B Game’ wasn’t near good enough on a night that the entire team was struggling. The Foreurs needed a spark from one of their top guys and unfortunately it just didn’t happen. Veilleux has the skill and capability to carry a team and he will continue to do that for his hockey club for the rest of the campaign, but in order for him to get noticed and selected he will have to continue to up the ante
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images