**Originally published in November 2019 after the 5 Nations Tournament in Sundsvall, Sweden.**
Brett Berard, Thomas Bordeleau and Matthew Beniers were a dynamic trio at the 5-Nations U18 Tournament in Sundsvall, so lets take a look at how their games translate to the NHL.
Brett Berard (4.25 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — B) Forward
(1) Brain – Brett is smart, crafty and his hockey sense causes issues for the opposition. He can create in 1 on 1 situations or by using his brain for a quick 2 on 1. When I say this I do not mean that he tries to dangle through a defender’s feat or look pretty doing a toe drag at the blue line. I mean that he has the brains to protect the puck, spin off gaps or close containment and he sets up his line mates to be used as picks or he is more than willing to become a pick himself. He is very aware of his line mates spacing and understands when close support is the best option or when vanishing to the weak side will create the best opportunities. Defensively, he has a very active stick that shuts down passing / shooting lanes quickly without putting himself at risk of exposing open areas. In the neutral zone he understands the importance of playing the lines and cutting the ice in half. Brett plays on the edge, but has a advanced feel for what the officials will allow and therefore rarely is reckless.
(2) Vision & Poise – He plays with his head up and his eyes moving. He understands that possession of the puck matters and wants to keep it. He looks to create quick transition on turnovers, but at the same time can feel pressure and will delay looking for the second wave of attackers. When Brett receives a breakout pass he will move his feet to create passing lanes or carry the puck until the right play becomes available.
(3) Feet – He has strong edges, a quick first step and although he may not be a straight line burner Brett has the ability to beat you with his feet.
(4) Compete & Effort – We only note extremes and Brett is a maximum effort player. In his mind he should win 100% of 50-50 pucks or battles. He loves to compete.
(5) Contact or Physicality – Brett does not have the size to be a banger, but don’t tell him that. He looks to create and enjoys physical confrontations. He is very involved in that aspect of the game.
(6) Release – He has very quick hands and settles pucks smoothly while at top speeds or in awkward positions. He shoots while his feet are moving and can easily fire pucks between defenders legs for screened shots.
(7) One Timer Ability – Brett uses a nice fat stick blade and he can use any part of it to one time bouncing pucks or poor passes. He might not have a cannon now, but we firmly believe that his ability to shoot pucks will be an asset when he turns pro.
(8) Body Language – He plays like a punk. He yaps. He is in your face. He tells the refs that he’s being bullied and after he draws a penalty he laughs at you on the way to the bench. We’re not going to lie… it’s entertaining and we love it.
(9) Special Teams Potential – Brett has the poise, puck skills and confidence to be a goal line option on the first power play or play the top of the umbrella on a 5 on 3 situation. He will be a consistent power play option in professional hockey and he will put up points.
(10) Intangibles – Brett has a swagger. He came into the year with something to prove and he is proving it. He bangs, he yaps, he works his ass off defensively and he gets on the score sheet. He is involved in every aspect of each and every game.
Thomas Bordeleau (4.75 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — B+) Forward
(1) Brain – Thomas is the leading scorer for Team USA and he can create scoring opportunities with both his feet or his head. But most importantly we saw an improved awareness away from the puck. There were times in the past where he cheated to the offensive side of the puck, but we’re now seeing a commitment to defending properly. We do not think he will ever win the Selke, but now we see him as a potential top line National League center iceman and not just a high scoring winger.
(2) Vision & Poise – He has great anticipation and sees plays happening early. He holds onto the puck and protects it rather than trying to pull off the high light reel play. Around the net he has the poise to out wait both the goalie and the defenders and has the vision to bury the puck or find an open teammate.
(3) Feet – Thomas can fly. He is agile laterally and has an explosive first step. He has strong edges and phenomenal balance. Skating will never be an issue for Thomas.
(4) Compete & Effort – It is obvious that he has made a commitment to playing both sides of the puck and it is paying off on the score sheet as well in his plus / minus. He can now be used late in a game when his team needs a goal or is holding a one goal lead looking for the win.
(5) Contact or Physicality – At 5’9 180lbs he is stocky enough to withstand the pounding and grinding of today’s professional game. He uses his low center of gravity to out muscle larger opponents while separating them from the puck. His added strength is a real asset in the defensive zone, where he can out battle opponents to create quick transition and fast breaks.
(6) Release – He has high end offensive skills. His ability to shoot quickly and accurately make him dangerous in all offensive zone situations.
(7) One Timer Ability – He can rip bullets from any angle off of any type of pass.
(8) Body Language – He plays with fire and passion.
(9) Special Teams Potential – Thomas will play in a top six role where he will be counted on to play both the power play and penalty kill. We feel that he has the potential to play in all key situations.
(10) Intangibles – Another player who came into his draft year with something to prove, but with Thomas is was on the defensive side of the puck. Well, he has done it and is in the process of moving up the draft boards because of it.
Matthew Beniers (4.5 Star Amateur Rating, 2021 NHL Grade — A) Forward
(1) Brain – Matthew processes the game situations very quickly. He notices when his opposition is caught in the middle of a long shift and will do what ever he can keep them pinned in their own end to create scoring opportunities or draw penalties. He understands angles and uses the boards for accurate passes as well as touch plays to relieve pressure. He instinctively knows who is right or left handed and forces his opponents to their back hand or into mistakes. He has a knack for picking off passes and creating turnovers. High IQ player.
(2) Vision & Poise – There is a reason why he was called up to play with Jack Hughes last year. His vision, poise and creativity will be at the top of his draft class in 2021.
(3) Feet – Excellent skater who is only going to get faster and stronger as he matures. He has quick first step and his edge work allows him to make power turns at top speed without slowing down.
(4) Compete & Effort – Matthew works as hard on the backcheck as he does trying to score goals.
(5) Contact or Physicality – Early in the season we noticed that Matthew was getting bounced around. We feel that this was probably because he was trying to do too much and was playing outside of himself because that is not the case right now. He is strong on the puck and winning net front battles to score goals.
(6) Release – Very quick, through screens and while his feet are moving. He can settle poor passes on his backhand just as well as he can on his forehand. He does not need time or space to fire accurate snap shots. He consistently creates scoring chances by firing bullets from low percentage shooting areas. His release catches the goalie off guard and he has the ability to out-wait a goalie, while still being able to pick his spot.
(7) One Timer Ability – He can shoot any type of pass in any situation. His one timer is hard and accurate, but not deadly. We feel that by the time June of 2021 rolls around Matthew will be considered a “shooter”.
(8) Body Language – Emotional passionate player who wants to win and shows it.
(9) Special Teams Potential – He will play on an NHL team’s first power play unit and has the brains to be a high level penalty killer.
(10) Intangibles – Matthew came into the season with very high expectations. We feel that at the beginning of the year he was trying to do too much, but that is not the case now. He is playing with confidence and is playing a controlled patient game that has quick strike potential. It is hard to believe that he is a 2021 draft because there are times when he is a dominate force right now and we see that only happening more often through the rest of this year and into his freshman year at Harvard. We feel that he will be a top 10 selection in 2021 and quite possibly contend for number 1.