Mavrik Bourque (4.5 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — A-) Forward
Game Grade: B+, Bourque was a bright spot for Shawinigan in a loss. The NHL CSS 24th ranked North American Skater was productive throughout the game, getting pucks to the net and setting up teammates with good passing plays. He showed good patience and skill with the puck, stick handling around defenders on rushes and also in tight areas around the net. He has good speed and a good battle level, bearing down on draws winning 4 of 7. He finished with 6 shots on net, most of which could be considered quality scoring chances, and he had at least 3 passing plays that could have ended up in the net. Bourque is impressive and will be a first rounder in June.
Vasiliy Ponomarev (4.5 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — B+) Forward
Game Grade: B, Ponomarev, the 29th ranked skater in North America according to NHL Central Scouting, is a hard working two-way center. He has a great stick, winning pucks in the neutral zone with good reads and compete level. His coverage in the D-zone was solid, he tight on his man and getting sticks in front of the net. His aggressive tendencies on the PK worked here, winning and clearing pucks. He won 8 of his 16 faceoffs, and contributed offensively with a couple of shots and good puck movement on the Power play–finding teammates across the slot. Ponomarev is having a decent first year in North America and in the QMJHL, and will be taken in the first couple of rounds in June.
Marc-Antoine Pepin (3.75 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — C) Defense
Game Grade: B-, Pepin, the left-shot D-man with good size, is ranked by NHL CSS in North America at #106. He plays loads of minutes for Shawinigan, and is able to play the right side–his off-side–proficiently. He is a decent puck mover, and has a long skating stride. I didn’t find him to be overly aggressive defensively, but he is a talented offensive bluel iner. On the PP he mans the point, and distributes the puck well. He is also able to get shots through to the net, including a goal on a one-timed blast off an offensive zone draw. The 2001 born skater finished even in a 4-2 loss.
Xavier Bourgault (4 Star Amateur Rating, 2021 NHL Grade — B) Forward
Game Grade: B, Bourgault, in his 2nd year of play in the QMJHL, is producing right at a point-per-game. He has offensive talent–is good on the cycle, has poise with the puck on his stick, and is able to get to high quality scoring areas. His assist came on a recovered puck on the forecheck that he played to the point. He is used on the PP and willing to get to the net. Bourgault is not draft eligible until June 2021.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
Game Evaluation: William White