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QMJHL:  Val-d’Or (7) @ Saint John (3)

Played on Oct 18, 2025

Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League

Game Played in TD Station

Game Sheet

Cameron Chartrand (D, R, 6’0″, 204, Saint John Sea Dogs, 03/03/2008, Boston College)

Game Rating

B

1 Viewing

Comments: Cameron is a 2008-born defenseman who shows strong skating ability and composure with the puck but still needs to refine his decision-making and defensive awareness. His mobility and edge work allow him to recover effectively and support transitions, though occasional lapses in situational awareness create unnecessary risks in his own zone. He has good edge control and smooth mechanics, allowing him to move laterally and adjust quickly when defending the rush. His foot speed (‘good boots’) helps him recover when beaten or caught up ice, which minimizes the damage from positional errors. He transitions efficiently between forward and backward skating and maintains balance under pressure. Cameron shows confidence carrying the puck and can make clean, heads-up passes, particularly on long breakout feeds that help his team transition effectively. However, he made a costly turnover on a poor pass into the middle of the ice, which directly led to an opponent’s scoring chance and goal. He’ll need to improve his puck management and read of pressure, especially when moving pucks through high-risk areas. At times, Cameron loses track of opposing forwards sneaking behind him. His skating allows him to recover, but the recurring issue indicates he must become more aware of developing plays and off-puck movement. With improved anticipation and communication, he can better use his mobility to neutralize threats before they develop. Cameron possesses strong foundational tools—particularly skating, balance, and transition passing—that project well at higher levels. Continued focus on decision-making under pressure and defensive reads will be key to rounding out his game. With coaching and maturity, he has the tools to become a reliable two-way defenseman capable of handling top-four minutes.

Alexis Joseph (C, L, 6’4″, 206, Saint John Sea Dogs, 06/16/2009)

Game Rating

B

1 Viewing

Comments: Alexis is a 2009-born forward who shows strong hockey sense and quick offensive instincts but needs to refine his puck decisions and situational awareness under pressure. He demonstrates good mobility and light feet, which allow him to stay active in all three zones and react quickly to developing plays. His hands are smooth, and he handles the puck confidently, giving him the ability to create time and space when attacking. On the power play, Alexis made a careless pass on a breakout that nearly resulted in a costly turnover. While the play shows he’s willing to take initiative, it also highlights a tendency to rush or force decisions when under pressure. Improving his puck management and making quicker, more efficient reads will help him maintain possession and limit mistakes in key situations. Off the puck, Alexis shows a high level of awareness and understanding of the game. His positioning is very smart—he anticipates plays well and puts himself in spots to capitalize on opponents’ mistakes. This awareness was evident when he read a giveaway perfectly and converted it into his team’s second goal. Overall, Alexis combines good skating, soft hands, and strong hockey IQ, giving him clear offensive upside. As he continues to mature and gain confidence in his puck decisions, he has the potential to develop into a dependable, playmaking forward who can contribute consistently at both ends of the ice.

William Yared (RW, R, 6’1″, 199, Saint John Sea Dogs, 01/22/2008)

Game Rating

B-

William is a forward with solid puck control, often using his intelligence to stay one step ahead of defenders. He demonstrated strong offensive awareness in various situations, showcasing his ability to create scoring opportunities. However, there is room for improvement in his shooting technique, as he tends to hold onto the puck too long, leading to turnovers. On defense, William positions himself well to intercept passes and fill passing lanes effectively. Nevertheless, he could benefit from increased mobility to stay with opponents and make more impactful plays. By refining his decision-making and movement on the ice, William has the potential to become a valuable contributor for his team.

1 Viewing

Comments: William is a 2008-born forward who plays with a high compete level and strong awareness in the offensive zone. He’s consistently involved in the play and brings a grinder’s mentality—winning battles, pressuring defenders, and creating space for his teammates. His work ethic stands out, as he’s always around the puck and engaged in the action whenever he’s on the ice. William shows good vision and puck sense, particularly as a passer. On the power play, he takes on the role of a puck mover, showing patience and the ability to identify lanes. He made an excellent read by walking in and delivering a perfect pass to an open teammate by the net for a quality scoring chance. Plays like this highlight his ability to slow the game down and make smart, purposeful puck decisions. Defensively, William had a lapse where he saw the puck coming but didn’t recognize an opponent closing in, resulting in a turnover that led directly to a goal against. Improving his awareness of pressure and his ability to protect the puck under duress will help eliminate those costly mistakes. William’s style is defined by energy, physical engagement, and playmaking. He ‘mucks it up’ effectively along the boards and isn’t afraid to get under the opposition’s skin, which adds value to his game. With continued work on situational awareness and puck protection, he projects as a reliable, hard-working forward who can contribute in both offensive and forechecking roles.

Olivier Duhamel (D, R, 5’11”, 183, Saint John Sea Dogs, 11/22/2007, Clarkson)

Game Rating

B+

1 Viewing

Comments: ChatGPT said: Olivier is a 2007-born defenseman who combines excellent skating, confidence, and strong puck skills to impact the game at both ends of the ice. His mobility stands out immediately—he’s a very strong skater with smooth stride transitions, quick acceleration, and the ability to close gaps efficiently. His strong edge work and balance allow him to adjust easily to attacking forwards and retrieve pucks cleanly under pressure. With the puck, Olivier shows poise and confidence. He consistently keeps his head on a swivel, assessing his options before making plays, and he places the puck intelligently to maintain possession or start controlled breakouts. His strong reach is a key asset—he uses it effectively to disrupt plays, intercept passes, and recover loose pucks. A great example came when he hustled to chase down an opponent in the defensive zone, using his reach to cleanly take the puck away and regain control for his team. Defensively, Olivier keeps his stick active and works hard in one-on-one situations. However, he can improve by turning a bit earlier when defending opponents who drive wide to the net, which would allow him to maintain better body position. Additionally, he could be a bit more assertive in front of the net, especially during rebound scrambles, to make himself tougher to play against. Offensively, Olivier shows strong instincts and confidence from the point. He made an excellent read by hopping in off the blue line and wiring a heavy slap shot on a loose puck—only a strong defensive block prevented a scoring chance. Later, he demonstrated impressive skill by stepping around a defender and firing a powerful low shot that created a rebound opportunity. Overall, Olivier projects as a modern two-way defenseman with elite skating, confidence, and smart puck management. With continued development in net-front physicality and timing on rush defense, he has the tools to become a top-pairing defender capable of contributing in all situations.

Jacob Gouchie (D, R, 6’1″, 206, Val d’Or Foreurs, 03/20/2008)

Game Rating

B+

This physically imposing defenseman effectively utilizes his size to dominate battles along the boards and separate opponents from the puck. His body contact is a notable asset, but he requires improvement in his play in front of the net and open-ice coverage. When off-balance, Jacob can struggle with quick lateral movements, leaving shooting lanes exposed. At the blue line, his passes could benefit from added strength under pressure. Inconsistent positioning, particularly when allowing opponents to get behind him, has led to defensive breakdowns. As he continues to develop, Jacob’s tools have the potential to grow into a reliable shutdown presence on the back end. With refinement in decision-making, puck movement, and skating, he can leverage his great awareness and confidence with the puck to excel as a two-way defenseman.

1 Viewing

Comments: Jacob is a 2008-born defenseman who brings a strong blend of size, mobility, and poise with the puck. He’s a big, mobile blueliner who uses his frame effectively in all areas of the ice, showing confidence and maturity beyond his age. His skating is smooth for a larger player, with good edge control that allows him to move fluidly in tight spaces and maintain balance under pressure. With the puck, Jacob displays excellent passing skills and vision. He moves the puck efficiently and confidently, initiating clean breakouts and creating transition opportunities for his team. His ability to use his edges and body positioning allows him to protect the puck effectively, making it difficult for opponents to strip him of possession. He showed this composure when quickly collecting a rebound and skating it out of danger, though a rushed pass afterward ended up on an opponent’s stick, leading to a scoring chance. Continued focus on decision-making after retrievals will help eliminate those risky turnovers. Jacob competes hard physically and isn’t shy about engaging with older or stronger opponents. He thrives in board battles and consistently pins opponents along the wall, neutralizing their ability to make plays. His willingness to ‘muck it up’ adds an edge to his game and makes him a reliable presence in the defensive zone. Offensively, Jacob has a heavy, accurate shot from the point that he gets off quickly. His ability to walk the line, find lanes, and release with velocity makes him a threat on the power play and during sustained zone time. Overall, Jacob projects as a well-rounded, two-way defenseman with size, skating ability, and a physical edge. His confidence with the puck and strong shot give him clear offensive upside, while his compete level and board play make him dependable defensively. With continued refinement in puck decisions under pressure, he has the tools to develop into a top-four defender capable of excelling at higher levels.

Benjamin Cossette-Ayotte (D, R, 6’1″, 186, Val d’Or Foreurs, 01/03/2008)

Game Rating

B

Benjamin Cossette Ayotte is a physically gifted defenseman with strengths in size, composure, and puck handling. He showcases moments of smart positional play and flashes of aggressive defending, but his overall game remains a work in progress. Inconsistencies in decision-making hinder Benjamin’s performance, particularly on the power play and in net-front scrambles. His ability to read situations and react quickly is not yet at its best, leading to mistakes that can create scoring opportunities for opponents. However, he demonstrates good physicality, poise with the puck, and a strong work ethic when plays break down. To reach his full potential, Benjamin needs to refine his situational awareness, accountability, and quickness. With continued development in these areas, he has the tools to become a reliable presence on the blue line.

1 Viewing

Comments: Benjamin is a 2008-born defenseman with a strong physical presence and solid puck-moving ability. He’s a big, strong player who is tough to get around along the boards and uses his frame effectively to seal off opponents and win puck battles. His skating shows good mobility, particularly with quick crossovers when retrieving dump-ins, allowing him to get to pucks first and make plays under pressure. When handling the puck, Benjamin shows he can make excellent passes through traffic—hard, accurate, and purposeful. His offensive instincts are evident in his ability to read lanes and move the puck efficiently. He also possesses a heavy shot from the point, though he still needs to work on finding clearer shooting lanes to ensure his attempts reach the net more consistently. However, Benjamin’s game currently shows some inconsistency in decision-making and focus. On one play, he executed quick crossovers to retrieve a dump-in but rushed his zone exit, resulting in an icing. Later, a lazy play at his own blue line led directly to a costly turnover and the first goal against. Another defensive lapse came when he allowed a man to slip behind him on a 2-on-2, then mishandled the rebound and slid the puck right to an opponent, leading to the second goal. These moments point to a need for better awareness, composure, and puck security under pressure. On the penalty kill, Benjamin was solid—making smart, simple clears and showing poise in tough defensive situations. When he stays engaged and focused, he’s difficult to play against and capable of controlling the front of the net with strength and positioning. Overall, Benjamin has the tools of a modern power defenseman—size, strength, and a strong puck-moving skill set. With greater consistency in effort and decision-making, particularly in his own zone, he has the potential to develop into a reliable top-four defender who can contribute at both ends of the ice.

Benjamin Olivier (C, L, 5’9″, 172, Val d’Or Foreurs, 06/26/2008)

Game Rating

B

Benjamin Olivier is a dynamic forward who excels with his speed, agility, and high work rate on the ice. He consistently provides energy and support in all zones, utilizing smart positioning and relentless effort to outmaneuver opponents. As an effective penalty killer, he reads plays well, blocks shots, and pressures puck carriers with his quick feet. On the power play, Benjamin demonstrates confidence carrying the puck and using his speed to create space. He is a smart and team-oriented forward who understands how to impact the game without the puck, consistently creating traffic in front of opposing goaltenders. His vision and timing are strong, showcased by a well-executed cross-ice pass that facilitated a clean zone entry. Defensively, Benjamin is committed and aware, doing a solid job of staying with his man.

1 Viewing

Comments: Benjamin is a 2008-born defenseman who displays strong skating, poise, and intelligence in both defensive and offensive situations. He moves consistently with good speed and uses his mobility effectively, particularly on the penalty kill, where he reads plays well, positions himself smartly, and can anticipate passes to create turnovers. He demonstrated this with a well-timed steal that led to him walking in and firing a laser-accurate shot. Offensively, Benjamin shows confidence and creativity in the offensive zone. He is effective along the boards and behind the net, as seen when he found the puck, spun, and made a strong outlet pass to a teammate coming from the point. His hands are quick, and he makes smart decisions in high-traffic areas, maintaining puck possession and creating scoring opportunities for his team. Benjamin also handles faceoffs decently, particularly on the backhand side, which adds value on special teams and situational plays. Defensively, he is reliable, consistently getting his body in front of pucks, protecting the slot, and using his awareness to prevent scoring chances. His combination of smart defensive play, quick hands, and effective puck movement makes him a strong two-way defenseman who contributes in all zones. Overall, Benjamin projects as a reliable, high-IQ defenseman with strong skating, solid puck skills, and smart decision-making. Continued development and consistent execution will allow him to be an impactful player in both defensive situations and transition opportunities.

Evan Sercerchi (C, L, 5’9″, 151, Val d’Or Foreurs, 02/18/2009, New Hampshire)

Game Rating

B-

Evan Sercerchi is an explosive forward with exceptional speed, which allows him to split defenses and create scoring chances. He excels in applying pressure on the forecheck, using his speed to aggressively pursue the puck and force turnovers. Evan’s game is defined by his relentless work ethic, as he not only pressures the puck but also lays solid hits to regain possession. However, Evan still needs to refine his decision-making around the net, particularly when playing in tight spaces. He tends to rush decisions rather than maintaining poise under pressure. Additionally, there are moments where he allows defenders to walk away from him and gives opponents open lanes for scoring chances.

1 Viewing

Comments: Evan is a 2009-born forward who shows strong defensive awareness, excellent skating, and solid puck skills. He plays a smart defensive game, consistently getting into good positions and using his speed and edgework to close gaps in the neutral zone. His mobility allows him to support plays both offensively and defensively, making him an effective two-way player. Down low in the defensive zone, Evan works hard to win puck battles and move the puck efficiently, demonstrated by a quick outlet pass to start a transition. He also made a smart play in the neutral zone, tipping the puck to a teammate in motion for a controlled zone entry. On the offensive side, he protects the puck well, particularly on his backhand, and was able to generate a hard backhand scoring chance despite pressure from defenders. Evan’s skating and edgework are standout assets, giving him the ability to maneuver in tight areas, support teammates, and recover quickly in defensive situations. However, he appears a bit hesitant when under pressure and would benefit from developing more physical strength to consistently engage in board battles and body checks, as he is smaller than many opponents. Overall, Evan projects as a smart, mobile, two-way forward with excellent skating and puck skills. With added confidence and strength, he has the potential to be an impactful player in both defensive responsibilities and offensive transitions.

Alexis Fortin (D, L, 6’3″, 222, Val d’Or Foreurs, 10/04/2007)

Game Rating

B-

Alexis Fortin is a defenseman with a strong foundation in physical play and positioning. He consistently uses his contact effectively to disrupt opposing forwards and is difficult to beat on the outside. When carrying the puck, Alexis shows confidence and makes smart decisions, such as setting up teammates for passes. However, there are areas where he needs improvement. His lack of top-end speed can leave him vulnerable in quick-turn situations, and he has been known to struggle with balance and skating mechanics. Despite these challenges, Alexis demonstrates a solid understanding of the game and a willingness to engage physically.

1 Viewing

Comments: ChatGPT said: Alexis is a 2007-born defenseman who brings size, strength, and solid defensive instincts to the ice. While he sometimes struggles with speed and quickness, particularly when moving to loose pucks or joining plays, his strength and reach help mitigate these challenges. He can slow down opponents and use his stick effectively to poke pucks away or disrupt plays, making him difficult to play against along the boards and in one-on-one situations. His skating is not flashy, but his size and balance allow him to maintain stability and defend effectively despite not being the quickest on the ice. There are times when he gets caught deep in the zone, which led to a turnover and an open man scoring opportunity, indicating that he needs to improve his awareness and positioning in coverage. With the puck, Alexis can move it adequately for a larger defenseman, but his passes sometimes limit offensive opportunities by shutting down the flow or forcing plays backward. Improving his timing and accuracy with outlet passes and breakouts will help him better transition the puck and support his team’s offense. Overall, Alexis is a strong, defensively reliable defenseman who uses his size and stick effectively. With continued focus on speed, positioning, and puck-moving consistency, he has the potential to be a dependable top-four defender capable of handling pressure in all zones.

Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images

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