Tonights event was a skills competition which included a hardest shot, faster skater, and a puck relay, and was followed by a 20 minute 3 on 3 game.
Impressive:
*keeping in mind it was just skills and 3 on 3.*
Blair Jones, Moose Jaw (WHL)
Was all over the place tonight, and scored 2 goals in the 3 on 3 portion. Threw a nice big hit to start the hitting parade in the three one three as well. I really really really like this kid. Most impressive of the nigth, by far. Boy the kid can rifle the puck too, had he been picked for the hardest shot I figure he would have toasted everyone, he had such a quick release too.
Guillame Latendresse, Drummondville (QMJHL)
Had 5 breakaways in the 3 on 3 portion, as well as setting up two. He teamed up with Alex Bourret to form the most dangerous combination of the night by far, even better than Brule/Pouliot. He also went 3 for 3 on targets, but then proceeded to miss 4 more shots, to go 3/7. I really like Latendresse and think that if he can play like he did tonight, tomorrow evening his draft stock will go through the roof.
Alex Bourret, Lewiston (QMJHL)
The kid looked a lot like Robbie Schremp, skillwise. Don't get me wrong though he was actually surprisingly defensive in the 3 on 3 game, I was impressed with his overall build. Very small, but he is an absolute tank that has wheels. Definite top 10 material in my books.
Jean-Phillipe Levasseur, Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL)
The kid stood on his head when Team Davidson had about 20 shots on him in the seocnd half of the three on three. He allowed one goal on an in close breakaway, but stoned about 10 scoring chances. IMO, he's the top CHL goaltender, by quite a bit. Some where saying Price, or Vincent could pass him up, but I don't think so. Based solely on skill, and effort.
Darren Machesney, Brampton (OHL)
Darren was the goaltender to the other side of Levasseur in the second half of the 3 on 3, and I can now see why CSB rated him at #3 for North American goalies. He was pure solid, great techincally. Just a sound goalie.
Oskars Bartulis, Moncton (QMJHL)
Bartulis played along side Bourret and Latendresse, and fed them both the whole 3 on 3, I was extremely impressed with his prowess on the blueline, and he even scored a fairly nice goal on a breakaway too. Good solid second round pick, IMO.
Non-Impressive:
*keeping in mind it was just skills and 3 on 3.*
Bobby Ryan, Owen Sound (OHL)
People are saying this kid should go #4 overall, and from now on I will laugh. His horrible skating was exposed unbelievably during the 3 on 3 play, and I don't doubt that the scouts were shaking their heads. He had a breakaway opportunity that most would have been in the clear on and he got caught before he could shoot. Before this kid goes top 10, he needs to do something with that S-L-O-W-ness. It's absolutely disgusting. However, ringing at with a 94.6mph slapshot is impressive.
Gilbert Brule, Vancouver (WHL)
God awful tonight. I'm not sure whether it was because he was nervous of the fans, or what, but he had maybe two good plays the whole time and screwed up royally on both, or just didn't do anything with the chance. He won his puck relay drill but that's only because his opponent Luc Bourdon tripped and fell, basically handing the victory to Brule, who also lost the puck. He's had a horrible second half in the season, and I definitely see him going 3rd overall, if not lower.
Marek Zagrapan, Chicoutimi (QMJHL)
Was non-existant, just floated around all night. Definitely not a top 10 picks, especially considering when he got the puck he just gave it up right away. After a poor WJC, and so far a poor TopProspects Event, I'm dissapointed, and rate similar player Niklas Bergfors ahead of him.
Ryan O'Marra, Erie (OHL)
Not a very good skater, and definitely had trouble handling the puck tonight. I sense nerves from the kid, but he definitely didn't look good tonight.
Alexandre Vincent, Chicoutimi (QMJHL)
Didn't play very well at all, and was not very technically sound, which is strange coming from a french goalie. Just didn't look comfortable all night.
Anybody else?
Impressive:
*keeping in mind it was just skills and 3 on 3.*
Blair Jones, Moose Jaw (WHL)
Was all over the place tonight, and scored 2 goals in the 3 on 3 portion. Threw a nice big hit to start the hitting parade in the three one three as well. I really really really like this kid. Most impressive of the nigth, by far. Boy the kid can rifle the puck too, had he been picked for the hardest shot I figure he would have toasted everyone, he had such a quick release too.
Guillame Latendresse, Drummondville (QMJHL)
Had 5 breakaways in the 3 on 3 portion, as well as setting up two. He teamed up with Alex Bourret to form the most dangerous combination of the night by far, even better than Brule/Pouliot. He also went 3 for 3 on targets, but then proceeded to miss 4 more shots, to go 3/7. I really like Latendresse and think that if he can play like he did tonight, tomorrow evening his draft stock will go through the roof.
Alex Bourret, Lewiston (QMJHL)
The kid looked a lot like Robbie Schremp, skillwise. Don't get me wrong though he was actually surprisingly defensive in the 3 on 3 game, I was impressed with his overall build. Very small, but he is an absolute tank that has wheels. Definite top 10 material in my books.
Jean-Phillipe Levasseur, Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL)
The kid stood on his head when Team Davidson had about 20 shots on him in the seocnd half of the three on three. He allowed one goal on an in close breakaway, but stoned about 10 scoring chances. IMO, he's the top CHL goaltender, by quite a bit. Some where saying Price, or Vincent could pass him up, but I don't think so. Based solely on skill, and effort.
Darren Machesney, Brampton (OHL)
Darren was the goaltender to the other side of Levasseur in the second half of the 3 on 3, and I can now see why CSB rated him at #3 for North American goalies. He was pure solid, great techincally. Just a sound goalie.
Oskars Bartulis, Moncton (QMJHL)
Bartulis played along side Bourret and Latendresse, and fed them both the whole 3 on 3, I was extremely impressed with his prowess on the blueline, and he even scored a fairly nice goal on a breakaway too. Good solid second round pick, IMO.
Non-Impressive:
*keeping in mind it was just skills and 3 on 3.*
Bobby Ryan, Owen Sound (OHL)
People are saying this kid should go #4 overall, and from now on I will laugh. His horrible skating was exposed unbelievably during the 3 on 3 play, and I don't doubt that the scouts were shaking their heads. He had a breakaway opportunity that most would have been in the clear on and he got caught before he could shoot. Before this kid goes top 10, he needs to do something with that S-L-O-W-ness. It's absolutely disgusting. However, ringing at with a 94.6mph slapshot is impressive.
Gilbert Brule, Vancouver (WHL)
God awful tonight. I'm not sure whether it was because he was nervous of the fans, or what, but he had maybe two good plays the whole time and screwed up royally on both, or just didn't do anything with the chance. He won his puck relay drill but that's only because his opponent Luc Bourdon tripped and fell, basically handing the victory to Brule, who also lost the puck. He's had a horrible second half in the season, and I definitely see him going 3rd overall, if not lower.
Marek Zagrapan, Chicoutimi (QMJHL)
Was non-existant, just floated around all night. Definitely not a top 10 picks, especially considering when he got the puck he just gave it up right away. After a poor WJC, and so far a poor TopProspects Event, I'm dissapointed, and rate similar player Niklas Bergfors ahead of him.
Ryan O'Marra, Erie (OHL)
Not a very good skater, and definitely had trouble handling the puck tonight. I sense nerves from the kid, but he definitely didn't look good tonight.
Alexandre Vincent, Chicoutimi (QMJHL)
Didn't play very well at all, and was not very technically sound, which is strange coming from a french goalie. Just didn't look comfortable all night.
Anybody else?
I agree though, they do look a lot a like skill wise but Bourret has that mean streak and the ability to put big players on their ass.
