Neutral Zone focused on Rempart players eligible for the 2024 NHL draft
| Pier Etienne Cloutier | Quebec Remparts | QMJHL | L | LW | 6’4″ | 189 | Quebec Ramparts | 2022 | Métabetchouan, QC | 2005 | 2023-2024: C |
Game Grade: B+
Comments: Cloutier is a long rangy 6’4′, 189lbs left shot left wing who showed an athletic deep knee’d skating base with a long stride and return leg that landed on it’s flat edge. He looks like a classic athletic ‘late bloomer’ who is still developing physically and gaining experience. Off a defensive zone face-off with 11:20 left in the third period Cloutier showed very good speed as he won a race to a loose puck and then exploded down the wall for a full ice rush that resulted in him driving to the near post for a shot. Our guess is twelve months ago he would not have been able to make that play while in another twelve months he lowers his shoulder to get to the far post and scores a goal. On the night he finished forth among Quebec forwards with 17:22 in total ice time including 1:32 on the power play and 0:07 while shorthanded. He looked to be positioned as the right dot-lane shooter on the second power play and he did have a one-timer blocked. For the game he finished even with 0 points, 3 shots, 1 grade ‘A’ opportunity, 2 hits, 1 shot blocked, 4 giveaways, 7 takeaways and for the season he is averaging 15 puck battles per game and wining 41% of them. Cloutier currently has a ‘C’ 2024 NHL draft grade from Neutral Zone but it is easy to see that grade going higher as the season progresses.
| Vincent Murray | Quebec Remparts | QMJHL | L | D | 6’1″ | 171 | Quebec Ramparts | 2022 | Gatineau, QC | 2006 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: C+
Comments: Murray in an average sized left shot defender who although got a two minute penalty for cross-checking midway through the first period showed very consistent strength while winning wall battles and clearing shooting lanes. He showed an upright skating base and the ability to pivot without crossing over. In both the defensive and neutral zones we liked how he worked to be a passing outlet for his partner but his passing seemed to be a bit off tonight as there were a few times when he had clear open teammates and he missed them. On the night he was fifth among Quebec’s defensemen with 14:11 of total ice time and 0:36 of shorthanded ice time. He had one shot on net, had another one blocked and he did not play on the power play. For the game he finished with 3 giveaways, 8 takeaways and for the season he is averaging 9 puck battles per game and winning 60% of them. Neutral Zone does not currently have a 2024 NHL draft grade for Murray.
| Bruno Jalasti | Quebec Remparts | QMJHL | R | D | 5’10” | 165 | Quebec Ramparts | 2023 | Helsinki, FIN | 2006 | 2023-2024: B |
Game Grade: B
Comments: Jalasti is a below average sized right shot defender who has a bit of an ‘A’ frame skating base which can make him look a bit stiff while pivoting from forwards to backwards but he showed a quick first three steps that he used to close on opponents quickly. Defensively he played an aggressive game as he looked to move on bobbled pucks or pucks along the wall whenever possible. His forehand passes were hard and flat but there were a few other times that he used his backhand and those passes seemed to put his partner in bad spots to make the next play. On the night he finished fifth among Quebec defenders with 19:53 in total ice time including totaling third among defensemen with 4:32 while shorthanded. On a team that had a defenseman total 3:38 in power play ice time Jalasti did not play on the power play. For the game he finished even with 0 points, 0 shots, 0 PIMs, 0 hits, received 3 hard hits, 4 giveaways, 4 takeaways and for the season he is averaging nine 50/50 puck battles per game and he is winning 52% of them. A major red flag for Neutral Zone is that he had 2 point shots blocked. Neither led directly to zone exits but he had ample time and space on each to find a clear shooting lane to the net or passing lane to the goal line.
| Antoine Dorion | Quebec Remparts | QMJHL | R | C | 6’1″ | 173 | Quebec Ramparts | 2023 | Ottawa, ON | 2005 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: B
Comments: Dorion is an average sized right shot forward who played an in your face style from the moment he stepped on the ice. He did not see him throw any bone crushing hits but he was constantly around the puck looking to be involved. He showed good straight line speed and agility. On line rushes he recognized the opposing defender’s gaps and made the right decision to get the puck deep so Quebec maintained momentum. On the night he earned 13:46 in total ice time including 1:32 on the power play and 1:42 while shorthanded. He finished +1 with 0 points, 5 shots on goal, 2 grade ‘A’ opportunities, went 2/8 on face-offs, 1 giveaway, 1 takeaway and on the season he is averaging 11 puck battles and winning 59% of them.
| Nathan Plouffe | Quebec Remparts | QMJHL | L | LW | 6’1″ | 173 | Quebec Ramparts | 2023 | Blainville, QC | 2006 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: C+
Comments: Plouffe is an average sized forward who plays a busy game as he was constantly in motion looking to create turnovers and loose pucks. He showed good hand strength by popping sticks from behind while backchecking and trying to star transition. On the night he finished even with 0 points, 1 shot, 0 hits, had 1 shot blocked, 1 giveaway, 1 takeaway and on the season he is averaging 13 puck battles per game and winning 44% of them. At this point Neutral Zone does not feel Plouffe is a 2024 NHL draft prospect.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images