It seemed inevitable Châteauguay was going to be covered, doesn't it? So .... Gamelin or Ciampini, Ciampini or Gamelin?
Well, first things first. Mainly, recognizing how they are two very different players. Luca Ciampini quickly rose to the top of the charts and seemed like an early favorite to go first overall. Most reports on the QMJHL have him going in the top two or three picks. But I say .... not so fast. There is a lot to love about Ciampini, after all, the hardest thing to do in hockey is score goals, and this guy is a pure goal scorer if nothing else. He has some of the best size available in this year's prospects and he has very good straight away speed to 
compliment that heavy shot of his. He's responsible in his own end and his hockey sense seems to be very underated, because that's how he scores his goals. A scorer like Ovechkin will deke 2-3 guys then the goalie (before climbing the glass) but Ciampini goes about it another way. He instead uses his hockey sense to find holes on the ice and gets there before his opponent. In this way, his goal scoring is very reminiscent of Simon Gagné, who just has a knack for popping out of nowhere in a spot left open by the opponent. Traditionnally, offensive players in Quebec have a lot of flash to their game, but not Ciampini. As a matter of a fact, you sometimes really have to follow him around to truly appreciate everything he does. He's the type of player that may not 'wow' you on the spot, but then you look at the scoring summary the next day and see he popped in two goals. But, those two goals are an important part of the story, because they weren't just tip-in garbage goals, he went ahead and used his heavy shot to burry the puck.
compliment that heavy shot of his. He's responsible in his own end and his hockey sense seems to be very underated, because that's how he scores his goals. A scorer like Ovechkin will deke 2-3 guys then the goalie (before climbing the glass) but Ciampini goes about it another way. He instead uses his hockey sense to find holes on the ice and gets there before his opponent. In this way, his goal scoring is very reminiscent of Simon Gagné, who just has a knack for popping out of nowhere in a spot left open by the opponent. Traditionnally, offensive players in Quebec have a lot of flash to their game, but not Ciampini. As a matter of a fact, you sometimes really have to follow him around to truly appreciate everything he does. He's the type of player that may not 'wow' you on the spot, but then you look at the scoring summary the next day and see he popped in two goals. But, those two goals are an important part of the story, because they weren't just tip-in garbage goals, he went ahead and used his heavy shot to burry the puck.On the opposite end of the spectrum is Frédéric Gamelin. If at the start of the year there was 
some doubt as to his stand-alone ability (as opposed to being a star player's sidekick), he erased all those doubts. I can distinctively remember a home game where Ciampini was ejected 15 seconds into the first period, much to the disappointment of every talent evaluator in attendance, only to see Gamelin seize control of the situation. There's a lot of flash to his game, the typical small-framed, offensive dynamo. Terrific wheels (amongst the best of any player available in the draft), super smooth hands (top notch playmaking ability) and a motor that just never quits. I would go as far as to wonder if he didn't make Ciampini better rather than the other way around, because I can distinctively remember a number of shifts where Gamelin controled the play in the offensive zone before Ciampini finished it off on a nice set-up. In all likelihood, there will be at least one team on the draft floor trying to keep these two together, but they both will go early enough that it shouldn't be possible.
some doubt as to his stand-alone ability (as opposed to being a star player's sidekick), he erased all those doubts. I can distinctively remember a home game where Ciampini was ejected 15 seconds into the first period, much to the disappointment of every talent evaluator in attendance, only to see Gamelin seize control of the situation. There's a lot of flash to his game, the typical small-framed, offensive dynamo. Terrific wheels (amongst the best of any player available in the draft), super smooth hands (top notch playmaking ability) and a motor that just never quits. I would go as far as to wonder if he didn't make Ciampini better rather than the other way around, because I can distinctively remember a number of shifts where Gamelin controled the play in the offensive zone before Ciampini finished it off on a nice set-up. In all likelihood, there will be at least one team on the draft floor trying to keep these two together, but they both will go early enough that it shouldn't be possible.So which one to take first? Ciampini has more size and finish, Gamelin has more flash and playmaking ability. Almost everyone recognizes that Ciampini will go first because of his size advantage, and I agree on that point. Between the two, teams will be more tempted to take the bigger of the two. However, I am uncertain as to how much of a good decision that really is. Ciampini did progress a little this season, but not as much as Gamelin, who progressed by leaps and bounds. He seems to be the one with the most upside, and he's the one who will be probably the more dominating player by the time they reach 19 (even if Ciampini will probably be the better player in their rookie season's). Plus, Gamelin's smaller frame makes him more likely to stay in junior hockey until the age of 19, should they progress at a rate allowing to make the jump to the NHL before then. But, it would take incredible courage for a team to select Gamelin first, and I just don't see a team finishing in the cellar taking such a risk. Because of the size factor, Ciampini is a much, much safer pick, and with a top pick... why risk it? A failure here could set back the rebuilding process by an entire season or two... minimum. So the conclusion is that Gamelin should be ranked ahead... even if they won't get picked that way.
The good news for scouts with the Patriotes this season (other than the Ciampini/Gamelin brain teaser) is that there are a few other quality prospects available.
In the year of the defenseman, Châteauguay chipped in by developping Julien Leduc. Not the 
biggest player available, but what a talent. And at the risk of shoking some, you could argue he's the best power play quarterback available in this year's draft. His value starts with him being a right handed shot (always hard to find) with some real puck skills (even harder). His playmaking ability is second to none, he sees the ice extremely well and his mobility is top notch. Lack of size is the only thing you can repproach him, but in no way should this prevent a team from grabbing him in the first round. While he doesn't have the physical tools Jonathan Racine had in last season's draft, everything else in Leduc's game is at a more advanced level, meaning Leduc should have no trouble stepping into a team's line-up to go on to play a Brian Rafalski-like role.
biggest player available, but what a talent. And at the risk of shoking some, you could argue he's the best power play quarterback available in this year's draft. His value starts with him being a right handed shot (always hard to find) with some real puck skills (even harder). His playmaking ability is second to none, he sees the ice extremely well and his mobility is top notch. Lack of size is the only thing you can repproach him, but in no way should this prevent a team from grabbing him in the first round. While he doesn't have the physical tools Jonathan Racine had in last season's draft, everything else in Leduc's game is at a more advanced level, meaning Leduc should have no trouble stepping into a team's line-up to go on to play a Brian Rafalski-like role. Three pics in the first round is a good crop by any standart, but that doesn't mean the Patriotes are done there. A few other players should hear their name called later on.
In the second round, Toliver Bergeron should see his rights claimed. A versatile forward who can play center or wing, the speedy (but diminative) forward brings a solid work ethic and underated offensive skills. While he won't anchor an offense, he can definitely chip in a Top 6 role (he'll just be in that 4-6 slot, not 1-3). It'll be interesting to see how his draft goes, because teams may be more tempted at less skilled but bigger players (therefore, safer bets to play junior hockey). Bergeron will most likely need a little seasoning before graduating, but he should get there. Think mid/late-second rounder.
Center Samuel Hodhod should be drafted even earlier, but the first round might be stretching it a little. He may not be any bigger than Bergeron, but Hodhod's play is a notch higher and it's very easy to love his speed and skill. His ability to finish is pretty much equal to his playmaking skills, both of which are currently sorely missed by his team in the playoffs. He'll step into a Top 6 role pretty quickly, no doubt there. Think of a reliable, skilled #2 center.
And finally, I feel the need to talk about giant sized goaltender Philippe Trudeau, who is currently having a great playoff. His mobility is impressive (especially considering how quickly 
he grew into such a big body) and it is mind boggling to think he wasn't picked up last year. He keeps his composure in pressure situations, has the ability to make key saves and uses his size not just to block pucks, but as a bit of an intimidation tool towards his opponents. A team looking for help between the pipes will definetely grab him and don't be surprised to see him jump immediately to junior hockey (even if it will probably be in a back-up role to start).
he grew into such a big body) and it is mind boggling to think he wasn't picked up last year. He keeps his composure in pressure situations, has the ability to make key saves and uses his size not just to block pucks, but as a bit of an intimidation tool towards his opponents. A team looking for help between the pipes will definetely grab him and don't be surprised to see him jump immediately to junior hockey (even if it will probably be in a back-up role to start).
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