| Zachary L’Heureux | Chateauguay Grenadiers U20 | QJAAAHL | L | F | 6’0″ | 194 | Halifax Mooseheads | 2019 | Mercier, QC | 2020-2021: A |
QMJHL: Halifax Mooseheads at Cape Breton Eagles, February 26, 2021: L’Heureux appeared a little off his game in recent weeks. After a couple of suspensions, and the QMJHL extended break after Christmas, he wasn’t as sharp as he was earlier in the year. However, in Halifax’s last few games, he appears to have recaptured the form that made him such an enticing prospect in the first few months of the season. In this game he played a pivotal role in the Mooseheads’ third period comeback, assisting on all three goals and consistently creating offensive opportunities. On Halifax’s first goal, after feeding Mooseheads’ defenseman Justin Baron with a pass, L’Heureux set up an effective screen in front of the Eagles’ net to help Baron’s point shot evade Cape Breton goalie Nicolas Ruccia and get the visitors on the scoreboard. A short time later L’Heureux fought off two Cape Breton defenders to gain possession of the puck in the slot before feeding linemate Elliot Desnoyers with backhand pass that resulted in Halifax’s second goal and Desnoyers’ 14 th marker of the season. L’Heureux then set up the winning goal when he picked up the puck at centre, carried it across the blue line on his off-wing, drew two defenders to him near the hashmarks and then hit a streaking Markus Vidicek with backhand, on-the-tape pass in the slot. Vidicek converted on the play, giving Halifax a 3-2 lead. Rating: A
Halifax Mooseheads at Cape Breton Eagles, November 2020: L’Heureux’s speed, puck handling and strength were on display throughout this game. He routinely beat defenseman wide and drove hard to the net. He was a constant offensive threat almost every time he was on the ice. He gave Halifax the lead in the third period when he picked up the puck in the high slot, stickhandled around a defender, made a quick move to his right and backhanded a shot into the top of the net. Rating: A
QMJHL: Halifax Mooseheads at Acadie-Bathurst Titan, November 2020: L’Heureux has been showing just how strong he is in recent games. In the second period of this one, he carried the puck behind the Bathurst net, fighting off a Titan defenseman. Despite being bearhugged to the ice by the defender, L’Heureux maintained possession of the puck and set up a scoring opportunity in the slot from his knees. He used a nice combination of speed, smarts and strength to create opportunities in the offensive zone throughout the game. Rating: B+
QMJHL: Moncton Wildcats at Halifax Mooseheads, November 2020: He’s built strong and really showed his strength early in the second period when he set up Halifax’s first goal. L’Heureux carried the puck over the blue line, attempted to split the defense, and then physically held off the two defenders long enough to set up line mate Elliot Desnoyers for the opening goal of the night. He consistently created offensive opportunities. Rating: B+
QMJHL: Cape Breton at Halifax, October 3, 2020: Made a highlight-reel pass to set up first Mooseheads’ goal. He’s obviously comfortable making plays in heavy traffic. Displayed a really nice set of hands throughout the game, as well as great patience with the puck in the offensive zone. He had a bit of a rough night in the defensive zone, and ended up -3 as a result. Grade: B
QMJHL: Halifax at Cape Breton, October 2, 2020: A lot is expected of L’Heureux in Halifax, as he is the key returning piece in a blockbuster trade between the Mooseheads and Moncton Wildcats last season. He certainly didn’t disappoint in his first game as a Moosehead, scoring two goals and picking up an assist. Playing LW, he displayed good speed throughout the game, and showed nice first-step quickness to get separation from defenders. He was very aggressive in the offensive zone, and was a major offensive threat all night. He showed a quick release on a heavy and accurate shot from in close, and was able to get passes through traffic. The only knock on him this night was a couple of occasions when he lacked awareness in the defensive zone and got caught standing around looking. He played in all situations, including PP and PK. Grade: A
QMJHL: Moncton Wildcats NHL Prospect’s Game Evaluations, January 2020: The 3rd overall pick 2019 QMJHL Draft, L’Heureux has done well in his rookie season. He scored his 15th goal of the year here against the Cataractes on a nice shot from the top of the circle, and it ended up being the game-winner. Showing some chippiness from the get-go, L’Heureux was both a target and an aggressor, driving to the net and throwing a big hip check in the neutral zone. He has good speed, is skilled with the puck, and his shot was top-notch. Not draft eligible until June of 2021, L’Heureux will be around it. Grade: B+
Canada Winter Games, March 2019: Zachary was definitely at the top of the list when it came to rating forwards. Played with a pace and had speed that couldn’t be matched all tournament long. Excellent separation speedy that led to many scoring chance and goals. Showed in could finish in all situations on the breakaway, in the slot, and in tight around the net. Played confidently with the puck and controlled the play with great vision and head on a swivel. Angled well on the forecheck, using quickness and speed to close in and with an active stick caused a lot of problems for teams. Made good decisions with the puck and presented an excellent all around game. Grade: A
Quebec Midget AAA Challenge, January 2019: There is a lot to admire about the way L’Heureux plays. He can be effective in so many ways because of his ability to play a hard-nosed game or even a finesse skilled style. He is valuable because he has got a rare combination of grit and skill. A couple of times throughout the weekend he held onto the puck deep in the offensive zone with a couple of players hanging on his back trying to strip the puck loose. He is not afraid to use his strength and size to go to the net either. He just needs to learn not to go over the edge and keep his emotions and body in check.