Post by hockey1981 on Dec 24, 2008 7:39:15 GMT -4
The Moncton Wildcats enjoyed a sensational first half of the season. They're first in the Atlantic Division and third overall in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with a record of 26-3-2-3 at the Christmas break.
The franchise records for most points (107), most wins (52) and fewest losses (18) were set in 2005-06. The Wildcats are on pace for 114 points, 52 wins and 16 losses at the midway mark of the 68-game schedule this season.
The Wildcats earned 57 points in the first half, matching last season's total. They have just three regulation time losses in 34 games, the fewest in the league, and they've surpassed all expectations by joining the list of top contenders.
Moncton has shown tremendous consistency and it's currently No. 7 in the Canadian Hockey League rankings. It's No. 1 defensively and No. 5 offensively in the 18-team QMJHL.
Following is the Wildcats' mid-season report card. They will face the Halifax Mooseheads on Saturday at 7 p.m. and the Acadie-Bathurst Titan on Sunday at 4 p.m. in a pair of games at the Moncton Coliseum.
GOALTENDERS
Nicola Riopel: (1.79 GAA, .939 save %, 23-5, 3 shutouts) The 19-year-old leads the QMJHL in every goaltending category and is likely the league's Most Valuable Player at the Christmas break. The third-year veteran has been consistent, confident and poised. He's been a difference maker in many tight games and he's also had a positive impact in terms of leadership. (A )
Louis Domingue: (2.28 GAA, .927 save %, 3-3) He's the only 16-year-old goalie in the QMJHL and he ranks second in the league in average and save percentage. The rookie has had to be patient while going long stretches in between starts. He's shown steady improvement and lived up to the expectations that come with being a first-round pick in the 2008 QMJHL draft. (A--)
DEFENCEMEN
Mark Barberio: (8-17-25, 32 games) The 18-year-old is the club's leader on the blueline and he anchors both the first unit power play and penalty kill. The third-year veteran is a quiet leader with good poise and he's fifth in team scoring. He's stronger in his battles and just steadily maturing in his overall game. He also deserves credit for helping bring along rookie defence partner Brandon Gormley. (A)
Brandon Gormley: (5-11-16, 34 games) The 16-year-old rookie has come as advertised after being the first overall pick in the 2008 QMJHL draft. Not flashy, but mobile, intelligent and poised under pressure. The club was planning to bring him along slowly, but he quickly grabbed a top three spot on the defence corps. He's on the first unit of both the power play and penalty kill. A legitimate first-round prospect for the 2010 NHL draft. (A)
David Savard: (3-16-19, 34 games) The 18-year-old sophomore has taken steps forward in his conditioning, his skating and his confidence with the puck. He logs lots of ice time and is on both the power play and penalty kill. He's starting to show leadership. He's a smart puck-moving defenceman who's physical and solid in all zones. A top four defenceman who has already set a new career high in points. Leads club in plus-minus rating with a plus 17. (A)
Simon Jodoin: (4-12-16, 31 games) The 18-year-old rookie has been the club's biggest surprise, a solid addition who rounds out the top four on the defence corps. He's mobile, competitive and already a leader. He shows great intelligence, hockey sense and offensive instincts. (A)
Matt Boyle: (0-3-3, 34 games) The 19-year-old sophomore is an under-rated leader who brings a physical element. A high character heart and soul player. A good fighter who's always willing to step up for his teammates. Good on the penalty kill. Not flashy, but good defensively and tied for second best plus-minus rating on club with a plus 14. (B )
Paul Dimitruk: (1-0-1, 32 games) The 18-year-old rookie has proven to be a steady defensive defenceman. He has good skills, but he's had to be patient with his minutes on special teams because of the guys ahead of him on the depth chart. (B)
Jeff Bell: (0-1-1, 6 games) The 17-year-old rookie hasn't played enough to be graded.
FORWARDS
Scott Brannon: (19-8-27, 32 games) The 19-year-old is fourth in team scoring, but the leader in goals. The fourth-year veteran has managed this while playing on a shutdown line that's matched up against the opposition's top line. He has developed into a premier power forward who has an impact both with his physical presence and offensive skills. It has long been thought that once his confidence caught up to his ability he would really blossom and that has finally happened. (A )
Matt Eagles: (18-21-39, 34 games) The 20-year-old is the team's captain and top scorer. A very good leader who had a solid first half. The fourth-year veteran has been consistent and he's on pace to surpass his career high of 57 points from last season. He plays on the top line and therefore faces the opposition's checking line every game. (A)
Pierre-Marc Lessard: (11-22-33, 34 games) The 19-year-old has already reached a new career high in points and he's second in team scoring. Good leadership ability. A combination of size, skating, physical play and skills makes the third-year veteran a premier power forward. He plays on the first line, power play and penalty kill. A very valuable player on this team. (A)
Randy Cameron: (10-20-30, 30 games) The 19-year-old had a strong first half and is on pace for a new career high in points. The third-year veteran had a good off-season in terms of adding strength and that's made a difference in his game. Good on faceoffs. He's the No. 1 centre and sits third in team scoring. He has improved his consistency and two-way game. (A)
Zach Sill: (2-9-11, 24 games) The 20-year-old is a key leader who brings intensity and a commitment to winning day in and day out. The sophomore plays on the club's shutdown line, he's physical and he makes life miserable for the opposition's top line. A tireless worker who's respected around the league. His contributions go well beyond his points total. He's part of the heart and soul of this team. (A)
Matt Brown: (12-2-14, 31 games) The 17-year-old sophomore had a good first half and shows signs of being a power forward in the making. A dozen goals midway through the season with almost all of them at even strength is very good for someone his age. Outstanding on the penalty kill. Good intensity. Strong on the puck. (A--)
Matthew Bissonnette: (3-10-13, 31 games) The 16-year-old rookie is loaded with offensive potential, but needs to work on his two-way game, strength and battle level. Terrific hockey sense and vision. If he commits, he has a chance to be a prolific point-getter in junior and a future pro. (A--)
Devon MacAusland: (2-14-16, 32 games) The 17-year-old sophomore is one of the club's most improved players from last season. He plays on the club's shutdown line against the opposition's top line, but still has chipped in offensively. A strong penalty killer who works hard and shows up every game. He often wins battles for the puck against much bigger opponents. A fearless competitor. (A--)
Sasha Famin: (10-4-14, 26 games) The 18-year-old rookie from Belarus came here with no English and underwent huge changes both in terms of North American culture and style of hockey. He's an opportunistic player who has 10 goals with virtually no time on the power play. He had a good first half and improved his two-way play. (B )
Daniel Pettersson: (4-6-10, 33 games) The 18-year-old rookie has quietly been a steady player. He's dedicated and worked hard to add 15 pounds to his light frame. He's physical for his size, good defensively and has offensive skills. A good free agent find. (B )
Matt Lahey: (6-4-10, 28 games) The 20-year-old is in his fourth major junior season, including his first in the QMJHL. He works hard, plays physical and shows flashes of his offensive potential. (B)
Ted Stephens: (7-14-21, 29 games) The good news is that the 18-year-old sophomore already has four times more points than his rookie output. The bad news is that he tailed off after a fast start and hasn't scored a goal since Oct. 24. He has good hockey sense and vision, but he's been streaky. Needs to work on his strength, quickness and learn to bring intensity more consistently. (B)
Andrew Roski: (0-3-3, 18 games) The 17-year-old rookie is a grinding, physical forward who gets under the skin of opponents. He's shown good leadership skills by coming to the aid of teammates. He's had to be patient because of the depth on the club and that's why he's played just over half the games. (B)
Jordan Lane: (0-0-0, 16 games) The 19-year-old is a 6-foot-7, 235-pound enforcer in his first QMJHL season and his presence gives the club confidence. He understands his role as a part-time player and has been involved in some heavyweight fights. He's worked hard on and off the ice to improve his game, including time with a power skating instructor. The coaches like his hockey sense and the improvement he's shown. (B)
Coaching Staff: Head coach Danny Flynn, associate coach Fabian Joseph and assistant coach Darrel Seward have done a tremendous job to help reverse the fortunes of a club that missed the playoffs last season. They've instilled a great team work ethic and the players have bought into the systems they're preaching. Flynn would be a top three candidate for QMJHL Coach of the Year if the season were now over. (A )
The franchise records for most points (107), most wins (52) and fewest losses (18) were set in 2005-06. The Wildcats are on pace for 114 points, 52 wins and 16 losses at the midway mark of the 68-game schedule this season.
The Wildcats earned 57 points in the first half, matching last season's total. They have just three regulation time losses in 34 games, the fewest in the league, and they've surpassed all expectations by joining the list of top contenders.
Moncton has shown tremendous consistency and it's currently No. 7 in the Canadian Hockey League rankings. It's No. 1 defensively and No. 5 offensively in the 18-team QMJHL.
Following is the Wildcats' mid-season report card. They will face the Halifax Mooseheads on Saturday at 7 p.m. and the Acadie-Bathurst Titan on Sunday at 4 p.m. in a pair of games at the Moncton Coliseum.
GOALTENDERS
Nicola Riopel: (1.79 GAA, .939 save %, 23-5, 3 shutouts) The 19-year-old leads the QMJHL in every goaltending category and is likely the league's Most Valuable Player at the Christmas break. The third-year veteran has been consistent, confident and poised. He's been a difference maker in many tight games and he's also had a positive impact in terms of leadership. (A )
Louis Domingue: (2.28 GAA, .927 save %, 3-3) He's the only 16-year-old goalie in the QMJHL and he ranks second in the league in average and save percentage. The rookie has had to be patient while going long stretches in between starts. He's shown steady improvement and lived up to the expectations that come with being a first-round pick in the 2008 QMJHL draft. (A--)
DEFENCEMEN
Mark Barberio: (8-17-25, 32 games) The 18-year-old is the club's leader on the blueline and he anchors both the first unit power play and penalty kill. The third-year veteran is a quiet leader with good poise and he's fifth in team scoring. He's stronger in his battles and just steadily maturing in his overall game. He also deserves credit for helping bring along rookie defence partner Brandon Gormley. (A)
Brandon Gormley: (5-11-16, 34 games) The 16-year-old rookie has come as advertised after being the first overall pick in the 2008 QMJHL draft. Not flashy, but mobile, intelligent and poised under pressure. The club was planning to bring him along slowly, but he quickly grabbed a top three spot on the defence corps. He's on the first unit of both the power play and penalty kill. A legitimate first-round prospect for the 2010 NHL draft. (A)
David Savard: (3-16-19, 34 games) The 18-year-old sophomore has taken steps forward in his conditioning, his skating and his confidence with the puck. He logs lots of ice time and is on both the power play and penalty kill. He's starting to show leadership. He's a smart puck-moving defenceman who's physical and solid in all zones. A top four defenceman who has already set a new career high in points. Leads club in plus-minus rating with a plus 17. (A)
Simon Jodoin: (4-12-16, 31 games) The 18-year-old rookie has been the club's biggest surprise, a solid addition who rounds out the top four on the defence corps. He's mobile, competitive and already a leader. He shows great intelligence, hockey sense and offensive instincts. (A)
Matt Boyle: (0-3-3, 34 games) The 19-year-old sophomore is an under-rated leader who brings a physical element. A high character heart and soul player. A good fighter who's always willing to step up for his teammates. Good on the penalty kill. Not flashy, but good defensively and tied for second best plus-minus rating on club with a plus 14. (B )
Paul Dimitruk: (1-0-1, 32 games) The 18-year-old rookie has proven to be a steady defensive defenceman. He has good skills, but he's had to be patient with his minutes on special teams because of the guys ahead of him on the depth chart. (B)
Jeff Bell: (0-1-1, 6 games) The 17-year-old rookie hasn't played enough to be graded.
FORWARDS
Scott Brannon: (19-8-27, 32 games) The 19-year-old is fourth in team scoring, but the leader in goals. The fourth-year veteran has managed this while playing on a shutdown line that's matched up against the opposition's top line. He has developed into a premier power forward who has an impact both with his physical presence and offensive skills. It has long been thought that once his confidence caught up to his ability he would really blossom and that has finally happened. (A )
Matt Eagles: (18-21-39, 34 games) The 20-year-old is the team's captain and top scorer. A very good leader who had a solid first half. The fourth-year veteran has been consistent and he's on pace to surpass his career high of 57 points from last season. He plays on the top line and therefore faces the opposition's checking line every game. (A)
Pierre-Marc Lessard: (11-22-33, 34 games) The 19-year-old has already reached a new career high in points and he's second in team scoring. Good leadership ability. A combination of size, skating, physical play and skills makes the third-year veteran a premier power forward. He plays on the first line, power play and penalty kill. A very valuable player on this team. (A)
Randy Cameron: (10-20-30, 30 games) The 19-year-old had a strong first half and is on pace for a new career high in points. The third-year veteran had a good off-season in terms of adding strength and that's made a difference in his game. Good on faceoffs. He's the No. 1 centre and sits third in team scoring. He has improved his consistency and two-way game. (A)
Zach Sill: (2-9-11, 24 games) The 20-year-old is a key leader who brings intensity and a commitment to winning day in and day out. The sophomore plays on the club's shutdown line, he's physical and he makes life miserable for the opposition's top line. A tireless worker who's respected around the league. His contributions go well beyond his points total. He's part of the heart and soul of this team. (A)
Matt Brown: (12-2-14, 31 games) The 17-year-old sophomore had a good first half and shows signs of being a power forward in the making. A dozen goals midway through the season with almost all of them at even strength is very good for someone his age. Outstanding on the penalty kill. Good intensity. Strong on the puck. (A--)
Matthew Bissonnette: (3-10-13, 31 games) The 16-year-old rookie is loaded with offensive potential, but needs to work on his two-way game, strength and battle level. Terrific hockey sense and vision. If he commits, he has a chance to be a prolific point-getter in junior and a future pro. (A--)
Devon MacAusland: (2-14-16, 32 games) The 17-year-old sophomore is one of the club's most improved players from last season. He plays on the club's shutdown line against the opposition's top line, but still has chipped in offensively. A strong penalty killer who works hard and shows up every game. He often wins battles for the puck against much bigger opponents. A fearless competitor. (A--)
Sasha Famin: (10-4-14, 26 games) The 18-year-old rookie from Belarus came here with no English and underwent huge changes both in terms of North American culture and style of hockey. He's an opportunistic player who has 10 goals with virtually no time on the power play. He had a good first half and improved his two-way play. (B )
Daniel Pettersson: (4-6-10, 33 games) The 18-year-old rookie has quietly been a steady player. He's dedicated and worked hard to add 15 pounds to his light frame. He's physical for his size, good defensively and has offensive skills. A good free agent find. (B )
Matt Lahey: (6-4-10, 28 games) The 20-year-old is in his fourth major junior season, including his first in the QMJHL. He works hard, plays physical and shows flashes of his offensive potential. (B)
Ted Stephens: (7-14-21, 29 games) The good news is that the 18-year-old sophomore already has four times more points than his rookie output. The bad news is that he tailed off after a fast start and hasn't scored a goal since Oct. 24. He has good hockey sense and vision, but he's been streaky. Needs to work on his strength, quickness and learn to bring intensity more consistently. (B)
Andrew Roski: (0-3-3, 18 games) The 17-year-old rookie is a grinding, physical forward who gets under the skin of opponents. He's shown good leadership skills by coming to the aid of teammates. He's had to be patient because of the depth on the club and that's why he's played just over half the games. (B)
Jordan Lane: (0-0-0, 16 games) The 19-year-old is a 6-foot-7, 235-pound enforcer in his first QMJHL season and his presence gives the club confidence. He understands his role as a part-time player and has been involved in some heavyweight fights. He's worked hard on and off the ice to improve his game, including time with a power skating instructor. The coaches like his hockey sense and the improvement he's shown. (B)
Coaching Staff: Head coach Danny Flynn, associate coach Fabian Joseph and assistant coach Darrel Seward have done a tremendous job to help reverse the fortunes of a club that missed the playoffs last season. They've instilled a great team work ethic and the players have bought into the systems they're preaching. Flynn would be a top three candidate for QMJHL Coach of the Year if the season were now over. (A )
