Hockey's Future: The Hockey Prospects Resource (Covering the WHL, QMJHL,AHL, O... Page 1 of 6 Become A Sports Agent: 8 week online training to work with full service Int'l Sports Agency Ads by Goooooogle November 21, 2004 Your Navigational Menu QMJHL Top 10 2005 eligibles from the » Mess QMJHL Written by Phil Laugher on 11/18/2004 2005 Top Prospects The crop of players eligible for the 2005 NHL Entry Draft from the QMJHL is Other Notables among the best to come along in several years, and you need not only take the word of scouts and columnists on this fact. One quick glance at the current QMJHL scoring leaders will show that this crop of potential draftees is special, 2006 Top Prospects and very talented. But there is also a diverse mix of two-way players, responsible defensemen, and quality goaltenders eligible for this draft. This year's draft eligible group contains depth at all positions, and could lead to the Other Notables highest number of draftees the QMJHL has seen in quite some time. 2007 Top Prospects While much, if not all of the early season pre-draft hype relating to the QMJHL draft class has fallen on the shoulders of superstar Rimouski Oceanic forward Other Notables Sidney Crosby, there are other players that may make teams not feel too badly about missing their chance to snag theCole Harbour, Nova Scotia native. Here are the top ten 2005-eligible players from the QMJHL, one-third of the way into the 2004-2005 regular season: 1. Sidney Crosby, Forward, Rimouski Oceanic Height: 5'10, Weight: 175 pounds, DOB: 08/07/1987 On the days he is off his game, he is dominant. On the days he is on his game, he is unstoppable. Mixing a blend of mind-blowing offensive skill with defensive responsibility and a touch of physical presence, there are few in Crosby's league this season. The 2003-04 QMJHL rookie of the year is the current QMJHL scoring leader by a wide margin over his nearest competition, in spite of the fact that he missed four games in October with a leg injury, suffered on a questionable hit from Philadelphia Flyers prospect Frederik Cabana on October 1st. After returning from his minor injury, the dynamic forward did not miss a beat offensively, and he continues to rack up points http://www.hockeysfuture.com/article.php?sid=7377&mode=threaded&order=0 21. 11. 2004 Hockey's Future: The Hockey Prospects Resource (Covering the WHL, QMJHL,AHL, O... Page 2 of 6 seemingly at will. Crosby is unquestionably the class of a deep 2005 draft- eligible list, and thus the chance of him falling from this position in the QMJHL rankings, or the overall rankings for that matter, is slim to none. The best way to appreciate his game is just to sit back, and try to keep your jaw from resting on the floor. Team Year GP G A P PIM +/- Rimouski 2003-04 59 54 81 135 74 +49 Rimouski 2004-05 22 15 36 51 16 +17 2. Guillaume Latendresse, Forward, Drummondville Voltiguers Height: 6'2, Weight: 222 pounds, DOB: 05/24/1987 Latendresse missed the first few weeks of the season recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, which hampered his offensive production in the early part of the season. The 17-year-old power forward, selected second overall in the 2003 QMJHL Midget Draft, has been able to put up respectable numbers under the adverse condition of playing for a bottom-tier squad in Drummondville, and like many star players, has been facing some tough checkers each game. Mixing a blend of strong skating and rugged physical play while playing with a large frame, Latendresse has great potential to be a top-flight power forward in the NHL for whichever team selects him. While he may be playing below expectations at this point of the season, he will likely get back on track offensively when he is fully healed from his shoulder problems. His nose for the net is too good and his shot too powerful his numbers to stagnate for too long. Team Year GP G A P PIM +/- Drummondville 2003-04 53 24 25 49 66 +11 Drummondville 2004-05 18 5 10 15 28 -2 3. Marek Zagrapan, Forward, Chicoutimi Sagueneens Height: 6'1, Weight: 185 pounds, DOB: 12/06/1986 Zagrapan has made an immediate impact in the Sagueneens revitalized lineup, helping lead his team to the best record in the league. Playing on the team's top line, Zagrapan, the 18th overall selection in the 2004 CHL Import Draft, has worked his way into the top five in league scoring in his first season in the QMJHL. Possessing great speed, excellent stick-handling ability, and a lightning-quick release, the native of the Czech Republic may be the most offensively dynamic player eligible from the QMJHL this season save Crosby. However, his slightness has prevented him from becoming much of a physical presence on the ice, and his physical strength will have to improve somewhat if he is to become a truly dominant player. Still, Zagrapan's amazing skill set and creativity on the ice are key attributes that will be very difficult to overlook. His dominant play led him to be selected QMJHL Rookie of the Month for October. It will be interesting to see if Zagrapan will be able to keep up his torrid pace throughout the entire QMJHL campaign. Team Year GP G A P PIM +/- http://www.hockeysfuture.com/article.php?sid=7377&mode=threaded&order=0 21. 11. 2004 Hockey's Future: The Hockey Prospects Resource (Covering the WHL, QMJHL,AHL, O... Page 3 of 6 Chicoutimi 2004-05 25 10 25 35 12 +13 4. Alex Bourret, Forward, Lewiston Maineiacs Height: 5'10, Weight: 214 pounds, DOB: 10/05/1986 Bourret has really blossomed into a dominant player in the QMJHL this season as an 18-year-old, sitting second overall in QMJHL scoring. Last week, he was named the QMJHL Offensive Player of the Week, racking up ten points in four games. Originally selected by Sherbrooke first overall in 2002, Bourret has exploded after two decent seasons, as he now plays on the top line for Lewiston. Built like a tank, and hitting with the same force, Bourret is among the most physical players in the league, with excellent offensive skill to boot. Loaded with energy and playmaking ability, Bourret has become one of the elite players in the league, perfectly mixing grit with skill, to create one of the most dangerous players on any team. Originally a bit of a project, Bourret has realized more of his potential this season, and is on pace to smash his previous career highs, perhaps by the Christmas break at his current pace. His two-way game is evident as well, as he sits tied for the league lead in plus/minus on a team that is in the middle of the pack in the league standings. One of the grittiest players in the league, Bourret's in-your- face style of play is perfectly suited for the NHL in its present state. Team Year GP G A P PIM +/- Sherbrooke 2002-03 61 13 15 28 73 +7 Lewiston 2003-04 65 22 41 63 94 +6 Lewiston 2004-05 21 14 25 39 61 +17 5. Alexandre Vincent, Goaltender, Chicoutimi Sagueneens Height: 6'4, Weight: 195 pounds, DOB: 12/11/1986 Last season, Alexandre Vincent was the backup to Edmonton Oilers prospect Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers, and it was obvious who the starting goaltender was for Chicoutimi. When Drouin-Deslauriers graduated to the pros, the Sagueneens were left with big skates to fill. Vincent has filled them admirably, leading the Sagueneens to the best record in the QMJHL. Playing a similar game as his teammate from last season, Vincent fills the net with his large frame. While he is somewhat inconsistent, when he is on his game, he is one of the most dominant goaltenders in the league. And he has had to be on his game quite often, as the Sagueneens defense is not among the best in the league, and thus he has faced quite a bit of rubber on some nights. He is almost unbeatable low, and also possesses a great glove hand, but still can be beat upstairs. If he can maintain his consistency throughout the season, the Sagueneens will go deep into the playoffs, and Vincent will likely hear his name called early on draft day. Team Year GP W-L-T GAA SV% Chicoutimi 2003-04 34 11-11-1 3.14 0.909 Chicoutimi 2004-05 18 10-3-1 2.85 0.914 6. Luc Bourdon, Defenseman, Val d'Or Foreurs http://www.hockeysfuture.com/article.php?sid=7377&mode=threaded&order=0 21. 11. 2004 Hockey's Future: The Hockey Prospects Resource (Covering the WHL, QMJHL,AHL, O... Page 4 of 6 Height: 6'2, Weight: 185 pounds, DOB: 02/16/1987 Bourdon has seen a lot of ice for the Foreurs this season, playing in the top pairing for the western Quebec squad. It has been a long season for the Foreurs and Bourdon, but he has played well under adverse conditions. One of several defensemen eligible this year who is an excellent two-way player, Bourdon is a threat at both ends of the rink, adequately mixing defensive responsibility in his own end and offensive creativity when on the attack. Not boasting immense size, Bourdon still plays a physical game, and does a great job keeping the front of the net clear.