Val d’Or Foreurs at Drummondville Voltigeurs
January 22, 2021: The final score was 3-1 for Val d’Or, and there was never a point when the Foreurs didn’t look in control of this game. They outshot the home team 34-18, and had far more quality scoring chances than the Voltigeurs.
Val d’Or draft eligible players
| Justin Robidas | Magog Cantonniers | QMAAA | R | F | 5’7″ | 172 | Val-D’Or Foreurs | Dallas, TEX, USA, QC | 2003 | 2020-2021: C+ |
Robidas’ speed was on display throughout the game. He used it to pressure Drummondville defensemen into mistakes, closing in on them quickly as soon as they touched the puck. He consistently gave opponents very little time to make decisions with the puck, which led to turnovers and missed exit passes for the Voltigeurs. In the offensize zone Robidas showed an ability to get open quickly and set up to receive a pass in the slot. He’s got a nice one-timer, but he likely projects as more of a playmaker. In this game he showed an ability to get passes through traffic to open teammates in front of the net, creating some quality scoring chances. Rating: B+
| Marshall Lessard | Magog Cantonniers | QMAAA | R | C | 5’10” | 181 | Val-D’Or Foreurs | Hatley, QC | 2002 | 2020-2021: C |
Lessard was an offensive threat throughout the game, leading up to his insurance goal late in the third period to seal the win for Val d’Or. On that play, he picked up a pass near the offensive blue line, carried the puck into the zone on a 2-on 1, looked pass, but then wired a wrist shot into the top left had corner from just inside the faceoff dot. He’s got lots of speed, and evades defenders by changing direction quickly and effortlessly. Rating: A
Drummondville draft eligible players
| Daniel Agostino | Laval-Montréal Rousseau Royal | QMAAA | L | F | 5’7″ | 165 | Drummondville | 2019 | Montreal, QC | 2003 | 2020-2021: C |
Agostino is a small, fast and very skilled forward. He’s also a lot tougher than his size indicates. In the second period, he was the recipient of a huge, and possibly illegal, hit into the boards just inside the offensive blue line. To some surprise, Agostino popped right back up and promptly stole the puck from the defenseman who had just laid him out. He then made a beeline to the Val d’Or net on a partial breakaway. Agostino didn’t score on the play, but he did force a Val d’Or defender to haul him down mid-shot, leading to a penalty shot attempt by Agostino. He looked like a gutsy and skilled guy in this game. Rating: B
| Conor Shortall | Selects Academy 16U | USPHL U16 | R | D | 5’9″ | 183 | Drummondville | St. John’s, NL | 2003 | 2020-2021: C |
Shortall played a smart game on the backend for Drummondville. He skated and passed the puck out of trouble all night. He’s a nice skater, and used this skill to keep oncoming forwards to the outside as the entered the Drummonville zone. He consistently forced opposing players into low-risk areas of the ice, giving them little chance to set up an offensive opportunity. He showed a solid awareness of when to take the body and when to play the puck. Rating: B